At the end of November, more than 30 workers were in the Ozone market warehouse in the Moscow region after several fell ill with contagious meningitis. The crowded living quarters, with 4- to 5-person rooms, appeared to help the disease spread rapidly. Gazeta.ru obtained expert explanations about whether buyers are at risk and what other illnesses might threaten them.
A meningococcal infection is nearly impossible for a person who receives a package handled by an infected worker because the bacteria do not survive long outside a host. The external environment breaks down these organisms quickly, and they die well before any contact with a recipient.
Experts emphasize that meningococci do not endure outside a person for long, and transmission between people requires close contact. Receiving a package hours after it is ordered does not pose a significant risk in itself, notes Alena Khripkova, a general practitioner with the SberHealth online service.
That said, meningitis can be caused by other infectious agents that could reach a package’s recipient. Influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and enteroviruses can lead to serous meningitis. Ivan Konovalov, a candidate of medical sciences and associate professor at the Department of Infectious Diseases in Children at the Russian National Research Medical University named after Pirogov, told socialbites.ca that respiratory viruses rise each cold season, increasing reported cases of serous meningitis.
Konovalov explained that most respiratory viruses are unstable outside the body and quickly lose potency once mucus and droplets from coughing or sneezing dry. Generally, these pathogens do not cause as serious illnesses as meningococci, except for certain viruses like the novel coronavirus and influenza. They can still pose a danger to people with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses.
Nevertheless, some pathogens can still enter a package recipient’s body. If a courier shows symptoms of a respiratory infection, sneezing or coughing can deposit virus particles on surfaces. After delivery, the pathogen may remain active for a period, and a recipient touching those contaminated surfaces and then their face may become infected, Konovalov noted.
Intestinal pathogens also pose a risk, as some infections can persist on surfaces for days. Bacterial agents responsible for intestinal infections can be transmitted via ready-made foods as well as other items. Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli are among them, along with Hepatitis A viruses, noroviruses, and rotaviruses. These pathogens can linger in food and household items for several days, and a person can become infected if hands are not washed before eating or if there is trust in the sterility of delivered products. This explanation is particularly relevant in organized settings like kindergartens, where young children may lack rigorous hygiene habits, affecting toys and household items as well.
Most people encounter respiratory and intestinal infections at some point and recover. Yet these illnesses can be dangerous for young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic conditions, where an ordinary respiratory infection can lead to complications or worse.
Transmission by contact with contaminated surfaces remains a notable route of infection, though less common than other pathways. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily boosted the volume of delivery services and continues to influence demand, introducing risks, especially for prepared-food deliveries. Even well-kept restaurants can fall short of ideal sanitary standards in some cases, so simple hygiene steps help reduce risk.
As with COVID-19 and similar diseases, preventing infection starts with hand washing. This rule applies to any surface exposure outside the home, particularly in public places. Doorknobs and other shared touchpoints can transfer pathogens to hands and then to mucous membranes, a process known as autoinoculation. For food preparation, it is crucial to wash or heat-treat products before eating; before consuming delivered ready meals, check the packaging’s integrity and ensure it remains sealed. Hygiene practices are essential for those handling meals at delivery points and within catering operations to prevent outbreaks. When a case is detected, containment measures are necessary to stop further spread. The oversight body in charge of monitoring is the public health authority responsible for evaluating meningococcal cases, and it reports on outbreaks and control measures.
The overarching message is practical: good hygiene and careful handling at every step—from packaging to table—substantially reduce risk. This is especially true in public-facing settings and for vulnerable groups. Clean hands, clean surfaces, and cautious handling of food and packages form the core of protection against multiple pathogens that can threaten recipients of deliveries.