How grounded is this information? What preventive measures have been taken to prevent the introduction of such dangerous infectious diseases into our country?
Nurmat Atabekov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sanitary-Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health, answered these questions from the Press Service of the Ministry of Health as follows:
— First of all, it must be said that the epidemiological situation regarding plague in our country is stable and there is no cause for concern.
According to official data from the "Rospotrebnadzor" organization of the Russian Federation, it has not yet been confirmed that the case observed in the city of Irkutsk is related to the plague, particularly its pneumonic form. Currently, relevant investigations are being conducted regarding this case.
Plague is an extremely dangerous infectious disease caused by bacteria. Its natural foci exist in certain regions of the world. The disease is mainly found among small mammals and can be transmitted to humans in many cases through the bites of infected animals and fleas on them.
A necessary system of measures aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of this and other particularly dangerous infectious diseases from abroad has been established in our country.
In particular, 53 sanitary control posts are currently operating at state border crossing points (international airports, railway stations, highways). Through them, individuals entering our country from abroad undergo constant medical monitoring.
Furthermore, the laboratories of regional sanitary-epidemiological services specialized in detecting particularly dangerous infectious diseases are fully equipped with the necessary diagnostic tools, culture media, reagents, and reactants.
Press Service of the Ministry of Health.
