Russia monitors West Nile fever spread amid imported cases

The Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) has announced that several cases of West Nile fever have been reported in Russia this year, predominantly linked to individuals who contracted the disease abroad.

Rospotrebnadzor is actively monitoring the situation, both domestically and internationally, to track and manage the spread of this infectious disease, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian local media.

Recently, doctors at Moscow's Infectious Diseases Hospital #2 successfully treated a patient who had contracted West Nile fever during a trip to Goa, India. The patient presented with symptoms including severe headaches, weakness, and high fever persisting over several days. Upon examination, doctors observed numerous mosquito bites on the patient's arms and legs, leading to suspicion of mosquito-borne viral infection.

Subsequent diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of West Nile fever, a viral illness transmitted to humans primarily through mosquito bites, as well as ticks. Symptoms commonly associated with the disease include high fever, headache, muscle pain, and occasionally a rash.

West Nile fever is endemic in over 90 countries, with natural reservoirs often found in birds and mosquitoes. The disease can occasionally be severe, leading to neurological complications in vulnerable individuals.

This case follows recent efforts by Moscow doctors to successfully treat a baby infected with tropical parasites, underscoring the ongoing challenges and success in managing infectious diseases in the region.