Brazil’s Evandro Chagas Institute and the University of Texas will form a partnership to develop a vaccine against the fast-spreading Zika virus, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Castro announced Thursday. The two institutions have wide experience in combating tropical infections, Castro said. He said it was possible the partnership could produce an experimental vaccine within one year. Within three years, a vaccine could become widely available, he said. The Zika virus has spread to nearly 30 countries in the Western Hemisphere. Although rarely fatal, the virus can cause debilitating neurological harm. Officials are hopeful they can control its spread before the August Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The games will bring thousands of athletes and spectators to Rio.
Link to government news agency release
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