Russia Is Developing Zika Virus Vaccine on Putin's Orders

A Mosquito Lands on A Hand
An Aedes aegypti mosquito is seen on human hand in a laboratory of the International Training and Medical Research Training Center (CIDEIM) in Cali, Colombia, January 28, 2016. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia... Jaime Saldarriaga/Reuters

Russia is working on a vaccine to combat the Zika virus, even though the country is not at risk of contamination, Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova has told state news agency RIA Novosti.

The Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes across the Americas and in areas in Africa near the equator. Symptoms are mild and infections can be sometimes difficult to detect, however it can have severe effects on pregnant women and their babies. The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern on Thursday, claiming the virus was "spreading explosively" after cases were reported in South America and the U.S..

Russian scientists are currently working on completing a patent on their first quick diagnosis method for the virus, a patent on which is planned to be completed by March. According to Skvortsova, Russia is working on the vaccine on Russian President Vladimir Putin's request.

"We know that such an epidemic does not threaten us… We do not have the natural fauna that would carry the infection," the health minister said.

However, she highlighted that the project is going ahead for two reasons. Firstly, Russia is pursuing the development of "a full inventory of vaccines" and, secondly, it is also planning to ship the vaccine abroad in order to combat the spread of Zika globally.

Recently, Putin also boasted that Russia had developed two treatments to combat the Ebola virus, that devastated west Africa since summer 2014. He described one of the two vaccines as "100 percent effective", although public tests have not taken place as Russia is not publically known to have had registered cases of Ebola.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


I am a Staff Writer for Newsweek's international desk. I report on current events in Russia, the former Soviet Union ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go