North Korea says it has developed a vaccine that is “very effective” in treating Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Ebola and AIDS, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, as well as a range of other diseases that modern medicine has yet to find a cure for.
The drug, known as Kumdang-2, is reportedly able to treat illnesses from AIDS to tuberculosis and cancer, as well as “harm from the use of computers” and morning sickness, according to the drug’s Web site.
KCNA is considered notorious for making hyperbolic claims about North Korea’s achievements — from scientific breakthroughs to the sporting prowess of its leaders — and has previously trumpeted the efficacy of the drug.
Developed by North Korea’s Pugang Pharmaceutic Company — and promoted under the tag line: “Everyone has the right to be healthy” — the vaccine is made of extracts of ginseng and rare earth elements, KCNA said.
“The Kumdang-2 injection, a strong immune activator, which is produced in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is very effective in curing diseases caused by malignant viruses such as SARS, Ebola and MERS,” the report said.
North Korea said it has been testing the drug since 1989.
South Korea is battling an outbreak of MERS that has killed at least 24 people among 166 confirmed cases — the largest outbreak outside Saudi Arabia.
North Korea has taken drastic measures in the past to guard against outbreaks of viral diseases; it has recently intensified screening and vowed “watertight” measures at airports and border crossings to ward off MERS.
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