{"id":5400,"date":"2026-05-13T16:14:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T16:14:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youtubexyoutube.com\/?p=5400"},"modified":"2026-05-15T19:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T19:32:54","slug":"russia-takes-hantavirus-precautions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.youtubexyoutube.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/13\/russia-takes-hantavirus-precautions\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia takes hantavirus precautions"},"content":{"rendered":"
A rare strain of the virus has killed three people linked to a cruise ship outbreak in recent weeks<\/strong><\/p>\n Russia has stepped up border controls to prevent the potential spread of the deadly Andes hantavirus strain, the country\u2019s public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, has said.<\/p>\n The rare strain of the virus \u2013 typically spread through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine or saliva \u2013 has been linked to at least three deaths<\/a> connected to a Dutch-flagged cruise ship since April 11. A total of 11 infection cases, including the deaths, have been confirmed among the ship\u2019s 147 passengers.<\/p>\n The outbreak was discussed during a Rospotrebnadzor video conference on Tuesday. Hantaviruses are a long- and well-studied group of natural infections, the agency said in a follow-up statement on Wednesday, adding that no outbreaks have been recorded in Russia this year.<\/p>\n The Andes strain is predominantly found in the New World, and is carried by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat, which is indigenous to Argentina and Chile, the watchdog said. Russia\u2019s climate is unfavorable for the virus, reducing the risk of introduction into the country.<\/p>\n