Experts Evaluate Effectiveness of Cuban Cattle Tick Vaccine

GUANTANAMO, Cuba, Feb 24 (acn) Cuban experts are gathering today in a National Workshop in this eastern city to analyze the effectiveness of the recombinant vaccine known as GAVAC against diseases transmitted to the cattle by ticks.

Specialists with the Institute of Veterinary Medicine along biotechnology and parasitology experts will also discuss the effects of the Cuban vaccine on cattle herds in the largest cattle farms in this territory.

Provincial Veterinary Medicine vice-director Zoe Debrook told ACN that the administration of the vaccine GAVAC allowed increasing the potential in local cattle raising enterprises. She added that the workshop will analyze the effects of the vaccine in several other farms and in ranches managed by individual farmers.

The recombinant vaccine, which is considered one of the major Cuban biotechnological products, began to be administered to cattle herds in 1995, while the livestock sector was waging a comprehensive fight against cattle ticks.

(Analizan hoy efectividad de vacuna cubana GAVAC)

Argentinean Youths to Study Medicine in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 24 (acn) A group of 60 Argentinean youths from different provinces of the country will soon take medical courses at the Havana-based Latin American School of Medicine.

During a gathering of the youths and their relatives and friends in the Cuban embassy in Buenos Aires, Nauel Vali, who is one of the new students from 17 out of 23 Argentinean provinces, expressed his thankfulness to the Cuban people for the opportunity of learning and for their solidarity.

Argentinean doctor Ana Urueña, who graduated at the Latin American School, briefed the youths about the origin of the academic center which, she pointed out, is characterized by high scientific, humanistic and ethical level.

Undersecretary of University Policy at Argentina´s Education Ministry, Alberto Dibbern, told the new students that the Cuban school will give them the opportunity to become medical doctors in a health system that offers its services to all the people under equal terms.

Argentina´s Health Minister Graciela Ocaña thanked the Cuban people for their efforts and generosity towards other Latin American nations, despite the unfair US blockade of Cuba.

Meanwhile, Cuban ambassador to Buenos Aires, Aramis Fuente, said that the Latin American School of Medicine expresses the continuity of an initiative that dates back to 1961, when the Cuban people began to contribute to the formation of young professionals. Since that year up to date, over 50, 000 professionals from 80 countries have graduated in Cuba, he said.

(Despiden a jóvenes argentinos para estudiar en Cuba)

Cuban Baseball Team Continues Training in Mexico

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 23 (acn) The Cuban national baseball team held its second training session in this high-altitude city on Sunday on a cloudy and cold day in Puebla, reported Prensa Latina.

After arriving in Puebla on Saturday to train for the 2nd World Baseball Classic (WBC) (March 5-23) the Cubans checked out the Hermanos Serdan Stadium and held a warm-up session and light batting practice.

Several coaches said that the facility has good conditions to train for the Classic. On Sunday, the pitchers were also scheduled to take part in the training.

Regarding the presence of the Cuban team in this stage of their preparation, Mexican manager Vinicio Castilla said that Cuba is definitely the team to beat in the group that also includes Australia, South Africa and Mexico.

“The Cubans are hard-to-beat rivals and we can’t be overconfident. Hopefully, we’ll make it to the next round, which is our goal, but it depends on us to make it to San Diego, to face the top two teams of Group A to play in Tokyo.”

(Equipo cubano de béisbol entrena en México)