Rospotrebnadzor, Russia`s federal agency for consumer rights protection and human well-being, has officially announced the country`s first imported instance of Chikungunya fever. The patient, a man, sought medical assistance in Moscow one day after his arrival from Sri Lanka.
Initially, he was admitted to an infectious disease department with a suspected case of Dengue fever. However, subsequent diagnostic tests confirmed the presence of the Chikungunya virus. He is currently receiving treatment in a moderately severe condition.
As early as April, Rospotrebnadzor had proactively issued warnings regarding the potential for Chikungunya fever to be imported, particularly from China. At that time, the agency emphasized that a “Perimeter” screening system was operational at various border checkpoints to manage this risk.
The agency reiterates its stance that the likelihood of the infection spreading significantly within Russia is minimal. This assessment is based on the fact that Chikungunya is transmitted exclusively through the bites of specific mosquito species. Anatoly Altstein, a distinguished virologist and chief researcher at the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, provided further clarification:
“Transmission of Chikungunya occurs strictly from an infected person to a healthy one via a mosquito bite. The mosquito first bites an infected individual and then transfers the virus to someone healthy,” Altstein elaborated. “Common symptoms include high fever, profound malaise, muscle and joint pain, headache, and sometimes a rash. When an outbreak occurs, medical professionals typically employ modern molecular diagnostic methods to swiftly identify Chikungunya and monitor the situation closely. As this is not a respiratory illness and does not spread through direct person-to-person contact, a specific mosquito vector is indispensable. The primary carriers, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are extremely rare in Moscow. While they might appear in some southern parts of Russia, their overall presence in the country is too low to facilitate widespread transmission. Consequently, a major outbreak stemming from this isolated imported case is highly improbable.”
When asked about regions where Russians might contract the disease, Altstein stated: “These are predominantly Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and southeastern regions of China, as well as several African nations. It is virtually absent in South American countries, except for the tropical south where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are prevalent. Regarding the severity, critical cases are exceedingly rare; the disease largely resolves on its own and generally does not necessitate specialized treatment. Standard fever-reducing measures are applied; paracetamol is preferred over ibuprofen or aspirin, as the latter can diminish blood clotting ability, potentially leading to hemorrhagic symptoms. Therefore, there is no significant threat of high mortality rates associated with this illness.”
Anatoly Altstein, Virologist and Chief Researcher at the Gamaleya Research Center
Earlier this summer, China experienced a Chikungunya outbreak, which led to the implementation of control measures akin to those used during the coronavirus pandemic in Guangdong province, home to over 120 million people. The Chikungunya virus was first identified in Africa in 1952, and China recorded its first imported case in 2008.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth