28 Mar 2022 11:16

Rospotrebnadzor says expecting rise in West Nile fever morbidity in Russia

MOSCOW. March 28 (Interfax) - There will be a rise in West Nile fever morbidity in Russia, according to head Rospotrebnadzor, the Federal health and consumer rights watchdog, Anna Popova.

"Speaking of West Nile fever, we are expecting an upward trend," Popova said at the 14th Russian Annual Infectious Disease Congress.

The thing is that Rospotrebnadzor "has been doing systemic research on the infection" and is now able to identify West Nile fever cases, "which were previously diagnosed as a fever of unknown origin."

West Nile fever cases were registered in nine constituent territories in three federal districts of Russia in 2021.

"We are continuously implementing and insisting on full sequencing of every fever in order to make their origins crystal clear," Popova said.

The West Nile fever is an acute viral disease transmitted by mosquitos, which manifests itself as a skin rash and inflammation of the meninges.