Rospotrebnadzor assessed the risks of importing the equine virus from Sweden to Russia

The risks of the "unknown" virus found in horses in Sweden being imported to Russia are estimated to be minimal. This was reported on February 12 in the press service of Rospotrebnadzor.

In Sweden, two cases of infection of horses with parapoxvirus, the causative agent of a skin infection that had not previously been found in the country, have been recorded. The animals had blisters and ulcers on their limbs. The virus was first detected in a horse in Finland in 2013, and in 2021-2022, isolated cases of infection were reported in horses and people in contact with them, in whom the disease was mild with local skin lesions.

"There have been no cases of parapoxvirus infection among humans and animals in the Russian Federation. The risks of importing the virus are minimal, and the necessary anti—epidemic measures both at the border and on the territory of the country are being carried out in full," Rospotrebnadzor emphasized in the MAX messenger.

It is noted that the agency constantly monitors the epidemic situation abroad using the Perimeter system, sanitary and quarantine control is carried out at checkpoints across the state border.

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But the pace began to decrease, Rospotrebnadzor said.

On January 27, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated a low risk of further spread of the Nipah virus, but stressed that due to insufficient knowledge of the virus, there is a possibility of other outbreaks. WHO spokesman Tarik Zhazarevich said that Nipah has a mortality rate of 40 to 75%, depending on the strain of the virus and the level of medical care.

To prevent infection, the organization recommends boiling date palm juice, thoroughly washing and peeling fruits before use, and discarding fruits with signs of bat bites.

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