>

Rabies, Moscow, Quarantine, Hamster, Lyublino District

Rabies Quarantine Declared In Moscow District After Hamster Tests Positive

Lyublino residents have been warned to be vigilant and to contact health authorities if they have been bitten by a rodent following the confirmation of a case of rabies in the area.

A hamster belonging to a resident of the Lyublino district in southeast Moscow has tested positive for rabies, prompting local authorities to declare a quarantine.

Officials from the city's veterinary service have urged local residents to be vigilant and to contact health authorities immediately if they have been bitten or scratched by a rodent within the past two weeks. The quarantine, which came into effect on July 11 and will last for 60 days, prohibits the movement of animals, including rodents, in and out of the affected area.

The hamster's owner reportedly noticed symptoms consistent with rabies, such as unusual behavior and aggression, before it died suddenly. A post-mortem examination and laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the rabies virus in the animal's brain tissue.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically through bites or scratches. The virus can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle weakness, and eventually paralysis and death.

While rabies is rare in Russia, with only a handful of cases reported in recent years, it is important to take precautions to prevent infection. Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a rodent should seek medical attention immediately and begin post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment, which involves a course of rabies vaccinations and immune globulin.

The Lyublino district authorities have advised residents to take the following precautions:

• Avoid contact with rodents, especially wild animals or stray pets.
• Vaccinate pets against rabies.
• Report any sightings of sick or aggressive rodents to the veterinary service immediately.
• Seek medical attention promptly if bitten or scratched by a rodent.

The Moscow veterinary service is conducting an epidemiological investigation to determine the source of the infection and prevent further spread of the disease. Residents are urged to cooperate with health authorities and to follow the recommended precautions to ensure their safety.