Onishchenko assessed the likelihood of a pandemic after the arrival of a Russian with chikungunya

Gennady Onishchenko, an epidemiologist and former chief sanitary officer of the Russian Federation, said that chikungunya fever, which was detected in a Russian who returned from Sri Lanka, may pose a deadly threat to the patient, but is not transmitted to others.

In conversation with aif.ru On Friday, August 29, the specialist noted that chikungunya is transmitted not from person to person, but with mosquito bites.

"Chikungunya fever cannot spread in Russia. That's for sure! We do not have a vector that could bite a sick person and then transmit the virus through a bite to a healthy resident of the country," Onishchenko stressed.

Meanwhile, he called for caution when visiting places where such diseases spread. He added that chikungunya can be fatal.

The Russian, who returned from a 10-day vacation in Sri Lanka, felt unwell the day after his arrival and went to the doctors. He was hospitalized in a moderate condition. Initially, dengue fever was suspected, but an examination confirmed chikungunya. This is the first recorded case of the disease in Russia this year.

A mosquito has arrived: deadly chikungunya fever has been registered in Russia

Doctors reassured that the disease is not transmitted from person to person.

Earlier on August 29, virologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences Albert Rizvanov told Izvestia about measures to prevent infection with chikungunya fever. According to him, it is important to use repellents, eliminate running water in yards, and use clothing that covers the body, especially during the daytime in tropical regions.

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