Chikungunya fever was first brought to Russia

A Russian tourist returned to Moscow after a vacation in the Seychelles with severe symptoms of fever. Later, experts determined that the girl had contracted the chikungunya viral infection, Rospotrebnadzorreported .

“During the holiday, the sick woman noticed mosquito bites and did not use repellents. After returning to the country, she was hospitalized. A positive result for the presence of the chikungunya virus was obtained using domestic highly sensitive test systems,” the department reported.

Rospotrebnadzor specialists prepared in advance for the possibility that chikungunya fever could be brought into the country, so all the necessary anti-epidemic measures were quickly organized. At the same time, the department noted that the risk of the spread of infection in Russia is minimal.

Chikungunya fever is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes rather than directly from person to person. Chikungunya is typically found in warm, humid climates: sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, and the Indian subcontinent.

Previously, Naked Science magazine published a study on tropical mosquitoes. The authors of the scientific work noted that although mosquitoes are carriers of dangerous diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya, they play an important role in maintaining sustainable ecosystems. And deforestation and the development of natural areas have forced mosquitoes to hunt people more actively, which is why the spread of infections is increasing.