The first imported case of chikungunya fever has been detected in Russia

The first imported case of chikungunya fever has been recorded in Russia. The infected man is in the hospital in moderate condition. There is no threat of the infection spreading in the country, according to Rospotrebnadzor.

According to the agency, the patient flew to Moscow from Sri Lanka, where he spent 10 days on vacation. The day after his return, he sought medical help and was placed in the infectious disease department with suspected dengue fever. Later, a PCR test confirmed the presence of the chikungunya virus.

Rospotrebnadzor emphasized that the infection is not transmitted from person to person, but occurs exclusively through mosquito bites. At the same time, the population of carrier insects in Russia does not pose an epidemiological threat.

Chikungunya fever is accompanied by a sharp rise in temperature, chills, pain in the joints and back, as well as a rash. The virus was first discovered in Africa in the mid-20th century. In 2025, it began to actively spread in South Asian countries. From January to July, 240 thousand cases of infection and 90 deaths were registered in 16 countries.