Oropouche fever, currently spreading in parts of Europe, does not pose an immediate danger to Russia, according to assessments reported on Pravda.Ru. The comment came from a virologist, who leads a genome engineering lab at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT). He explained that the illness is carried by the Culicoides paraensis biting midge, a tiny blood-feeder whose natural range includes tropical and subtropical regions in the Caribbean, Latin America, and parts of Central America.
The expert expressed cautious optimism, noting that the disease appears geographically limited. He cautioned that Russia’s colder climate could hinder transmission, reducing the likelihood of sustained spread within the region. He also pointed out that while travelers might introduce the virus, the presence of wildlife such as sloths and other animals, which can act as natural reservoirs, makes local amplification less probable in colder climates.
In August 2024, the Daily Mail reported that nineteen Europeans had contracted the Oropouche virus during the summer, with cases confirmed in several European countries. Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control indicated five infections in Italy, two in Germany, and twelve in Spain, while globally, about eight thousand cases were documented since January that year, predominantly in parts of South and Central America where the virus is more common. These figures illustrate how regional outbreaks can appear and recede, influenced by vector distribution and climate.
Earlier assessments by Russia’s consumer safety watchdog noted that the risk of widespread Oropouche fever in Russia remains minimal, aligning with the current understanding that the pathogen is not readily established in temperate zones. The overall message stresses vigilance for travelers and ongoing surveillance of vector populations to preempt any unexpected movements of the disease.