The biologist named the differences between mosquitoes carrying chikungunya

Alexander Lukashev, Director of the Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases named after E.I. Marcinovsky Sechenov University, told how to distinguish mosquitoes carrying chikungunya.

In conversation with aif.ru On Monday, August 11, the expert noted that mosquitoes carrying the chikungunya virus differ from the usual ones in that they are better adapted to a cold climate. The biologist explained that the Aedes albopictus yellow fever tiger mosquitoes are one of hundreds of species capable of carrying fevers, and they adapt better to cold weather than others.

According to him, about 30 years ago, these insects appeared in Southern Europe, where outbreaks of chikungunya were later recorded, and now they have spread across Central Europe and are moving further north every year. He stressed that this is a global problem. It is noted that such mosquitoes are distinguished by brighter stripes and a tougher chitinous coat.

Sleeping threat: doctors warned about the danger of hidden infections

Diseases may not manifest themselves for years and destroy the body at the same time.

Earlier on August 11, doctors at Botkin Hospital assessed the risk of spreading chikungunya fever. They said that the symptoms include a rise in body temperature and severe joint pain. Severe course and fatal outcomes are rare, reports 360.ru .

On the same day, Vladimir Chulanov, a specialist in infectious diseases at the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, said that there is still a risk of imported cases of chikungunya in Russia. He advised travelers to countries with fever outbreaks to use protective equipment, and if symptoms appear after returning, immediately consult a doctor and report a visit to an endemic region, the website notes. kp.ru . When infected with the virus, the temperature can rise to 40 degrees, accompanied by severe pain in the joints, muscles and head, as well as the appearance of a rash. Life.ru . Joint pain sometimes persists for months, IA Regnum clarifies. So far, there is no epidemiological danger of the disease in Russia, Moscow 24 notes.

On August 8, Moscow State University Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences, virologist Alexey Agranovsky stated that the risk of the chikungunya virus entering Russia from China is extremely low. The expert pointed out that the virus is widespread in subtropical and tropical regions, and it can only get to other areas through imported mosquitoes, writes RT. Infection is possible only with the bite of an infected female, it is not transmitted from person to person.

On the same day, virologist Alexander Chepurnov told NSN that tourists can bring mosquitoes transmitting the chikungunya virus to Russia. So, in his opinion, if the N. F. Gamaleya Center has taken up the creation of a vaccine, then the threat is quite real.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.