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Flu and respiratory diseases epidemics on rise in 44 Russian regions

Schools are being closed to prevent the spread of respiratory infections

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, February 27 (Itar-Tass) – Flu and respiratory diseases epidemics thresholds are surpassed in 44 Russian regions, the federal consumer rights protection agency (Rospotrebnadzor) said on Tuesday.

“Epidemics thresholds are surpassed in the republics of Tyva and Khakassia, in the Kurgan and Nizhny Novgorod regions, and in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous area,” Rospotrebnadzor said in a release.

Respiratory diseases rates are growing both among children and the adult population. Epidemics are spreading among children in practically all Russian regions.

Schools are being closed to prevent the spread of respiratory infections. Thus, according to Rospotrebnadzor, over the past week, more than 1,200 schools were closed in 57 Russian regions. More than 3,600 classes have been closed in 1,200 more schools in 71 regions. As many as 328 kindergartens have also been closed in 51 regions over the flu epidemics.

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