Chickenpox detected for the first time in Russia

In a recent development, a man in Russia has been hospitalized with Chikungunya fever, marking the first recorded case of the virus in the country. The man, whose name remains undisclosed, returned from a 10-day vacation in Sri Lanka and sought medical help the day after his return.

Initially, the man was diagnosed with dengue fever, but further tests revealed that he was actually infected with the Chikungunya virus. This virus, first identified in Africa in the mid-20th century, is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites and not from person to person.

Chikungunya fever is characterized by a sudden increase in temperature, chills, joint and back pain, and a rash. The man was hospitalized in a moderate condition.

As of now, there is no information about any connection between the Chikungunya virus and the recent case in Russia. Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian federal service for supervision of consumer rights protection and human welfare, has stated that there is currently no risk of the disease spreading in Russia. They also noted that the number of mosquito carriers of the Chikungunya virus in Russia does not pose an epidemiological threat.

Meanwhile, the Chikungunya virus has begun spreading in South Asian countries. As of July of this year, there have been 240,000 cases of Chikungunya infection and 90 deaths in 16 countries. However, there is currently no confirmed Chikungunya case in China.

The news about the hospitalization was reported by "Kommersant". The specific reasons for China's decision to implement COVID restrictions are not yet clear, but it's worth noting that the Chikungunya virus has not been reported as a significant issue in China until now.

This development comes as a reminder for travellers to be aware of health risks associated with their destinations. It's always advisable to consult with healthcare professionals before travelling to high-risk areas and to take necessary precautions to protect oneself from mosquito bites.