The Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection (Rospotrebnadzor) announced that it has not recorded any cases of Nipah virus infection in Russia among travelers arriving from other countries.
A statement issued by the agency on the subject said: "Rospotrebnadzor announces that no imported cases of disease caused by the Nipah virus have been registered in the Russian Federation."
The agency explained that the automated information system "Perimeter" is fully operational at Russian border crossing points, allowing for the immediate detection of people showing symptoms of infectious diseases.
She also pointed out the lack of environmental and epidemiological conditions necessary for the widespread transmission of this virus in Russia, stressing that the main carrier of the Nipah virus is fruit bats of the genus Pteropus, which live in tropical and subtropical regions and are uncommon in Russia.
Earlier, the agency urged Russian citizens traveling to India and Southeast Asia to take preventive measures in light of the Nipah virus outbreak. Among the recommendations it made to tourists were: avoiding contact with sick animals, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, using disinfectants, washing fruits and vegetables before eating, and not drinking water from unsafe sources.
