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Russia taking measures against Zika virus — health ministry

The first case of Zika virus was registered in Russia earlier on Monday in a woman who arrived from the Dominican Republic

GENEVA, February 15. /TASS/. Russia is taking a full package of measures against the spread of Zika virus, Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said on Monday.

"All aircraft and ships arriving from 21 countries affected by Zika are disinfected and all passengers are checked onboard before entering Russia," the minister said.

According to the minister, Russian doctors have prepared methodological recommendations on diagnosing and treating the virus.

The first case of Zika virus was registered in Russia earlier on Monday in a woman who arrived from the Dominican Republic.

Zika virus was isolated in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda. Last May, it began to spread rapidly in Brazil, then gaining ground in other countries of South and North America. Health officials report the virus penetrating 21 of 55 countries across the western hemisphere.

Medical professionals note special concern for infected pregnant women, whose children risk developing brain-damaging microcephaly.

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