Annoying nightmare: deadly fever may break out in Russia
An outbreak of chikungunya fever may begin in Russia, which is now actively spreading in China, virologists interviewed by Izvestia believe. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, which also live in our country. Russians who have returned from Asia, as well as Chinese who have arrived in the country, may also become sources of infection. Over the past week and a half, more than 10,000 cases of chikungunya fever have been detected in Guangdong Province. No cases have been reported in Russia yet, but there are risks of bringing the disease into the country, Rospotrebnadzor has acknowledged. About the dangers of chikungunya fever and how to avoid infection, see the Izvestia article.
How can chikungunya fever get to Russia
In the Chinese province of Guangdong, chikungunya fever is actively spreading — over the past week and a half, more than 10,000 cases have been recorded there, local media report. This is a viral infection carried by Aedes mosquitoes — they can also lead to human infection with dengue fever, yellow fever or Zika virus, immunologist Mikhail Bolkov told Izvestia.
In Russia, this type of insect is found mainly in the southern regions, said Gennady Onishchenko, an epidemiologist and former chief sanitary officer of the country. According to him, there is a risk of infection in the regions located on the border with China — in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, the Amur region.
"This is causing concern," he said. — The virus was first identified in 1952 in the United Republic of Tanzania, and then in other countries in Africa and Asia. Then it began to be registered in Europe and the USA. There have been no outbreaks in Russia so far.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the fever is already widespread in more than 110 countries around the world.
—In Africa and Asia, a significant part of the population has already contracted chikungunya fever, but the disease continues to spread quite actively in other countries, which is facilitated by tourism," said Andrey Pozdnyakov, an infectious disease specialist and chief physician at the Invitro Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory.
At the end of July 2025, WHO reported that cases of local transmission of chikungunya fever had been detected in France and Italy. They noted that there is a risk of the disease spreading worldwide.
According to the organization, the fever is spreading most actively in the island states of the Indian Ocean and South Asia.
"In places where people have weak or no immune system, this can cause rapid and large—scale outbreaks, infecting up to three quarters of the population and putting severe pressure on health systems," the WHO added.
The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka announced one of the largest outbreaks of chikungunya fever in 20 years at the end of May.
Vladimir Nikiforov, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, agreed that there are risks of chikungunya fever being imported to Russia.
— You can bring anything to us. But there won't be a pandemic because we need an infected mosquito," he said. — Even if it is brought by plane, the insect will not take root due to the cold climate in most regions.
Immunologist Mikhail Bolkov believes that the probability of the spread of chikugunya in Russia is not great now. But, according to him, the situation may change in the future.
— Due to climate change, the risks may become higher over time. But now they are minimal," he said.
Outbreaks of the disease in the Asian region, according to him, are associated with a seasonal increase in the number of mosquitoes carrying the infection.
— In summer, due to high humidity and temperature, the fecundity of mosquito vectors increases. Accordingly, the spread of these infections is growing in Southeast Asia, Africa and other warm countries. It has always been and will always be a disease there," Mikhail Bolkov noted.
What is the danger of chikungunya
The disease is not transmitted from person to person, Rospotrebnadzor assured. The ministry noted that there are currently no imported cases of chikungunya fever in Russia, but acknowledged that there are risks of importation.
To ensure security, the department added, the Perimeter system is used at the border, which allows identifying citizens with signs of infectious diseases. In addition, domestic test systems are used for these purposes.
Rospotrebnadzor recommended that those traveling to potentially dangerous countries avoid insect bites by using repellents, mosquito nets on doors and windows, bed curtains and wearing clothes covering the skin.
The Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT) also noted that they are closely monitoring the situation in China and other popular destinations for chikungunya fever among Russian tourists. There are no appeals from Russian tourists to tour operators or insurance companies in connection with this situation.
"The tourist flow to China remains stable, there are no cases of the disease among foreign guests," the union said.
Chikungunya fever can be fatal, with a mortality rate of one case per thousand people, noted Andrey Pozdnyakov. According to Stanislav Ionov, Professor of the Department of Therapy at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, mortality is about 1.5—2%, less often about 5%.
The risk group includes the elderly, people with immunodeficiency conditions and young children, Andrey Pozdnyakov added.
The main symptoms of fever are high fever up to 40 degrees and severe joint pain. Muscle pain and rash are also possible. There may be cardiovascular complications and lesions of other organs, said Andrey Pozdnyakov. They appear 2-12 days after the bite, he said.
Hemorrhagic rashes also form on the internal organs. Blood clots and intravascular coagulation occur, blood clots form, and vital organs such as the kidneys and liver fail, Stanislav Ionov added.
Although the disease is not transmitted from person to person, it can be contracted by contact with the patient's blood, Gennady Onishchenko noted. Also, according to him, it is possible to transmit the disease from mother to fetus.
The danger of contracting fever lies in the fact that the vaccine against it has not yet been widely used, Gennady Onishchenko noted. So far, the management of patients, according to him, includes taking antipyretics and suitable painkillers, drinking plenty and resting.
Stanislav Ionov stressed that self-medication for chikungunya is life-threatening. If the first symptoms occur, he said, you should immediately go to the hospital.
According to WHO, Aedes mosquitoes are spreading to new regions due to climate change, population growth, and increased travel and urbanization, so the risk of outbreaks is increasing.
"The viruses they carry now pose a growing threat to public health, putting more than 5.6 billion people at risk," the organization's website says.
Diagnosing these diseases can be challenging, as their symptoms often overlap and resemble other ailments. Andrei Pozdnyakov recalled that WHO issued new recommendations on the management of patients with dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever in July 2025.
"As the number of outbreaks increases and spreads to new regions, it is imperative that doctors recognize these diseases and treat patients according to the latest, evidence—based recommendations," the organization noted.
Those who have had a fever develop immunity, and the disease ceases to pose a serious threat to their lives, experts stressed. However, ophthalmological, cardiovascular, and neurological complications are possible.
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