Russia has begun implementing border controls and other measures to keep hantavirus at bay. These precautions aim to prevent the potential spread of the deadly Andes hantavirus strain, the country’s public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, has said.

As a precaution, “Rospotrebnadzor – together with the Russian Border Service – has taken measures to strengthen border controls,” it said. Automated information systems are being used at the border to assess and minimize risks, it added, according to a report by RT.

This current outbreak was discussed during a Rospotrebnadzor video conference on Tuesday, where the discussion centered on preventative measures. Hantaviruses are a long- and well-studied group of natural infections, the agency said in a follow-up statement on Wednesday, adding that no outbreaks have been recorded in Russia this year.

The rare strain of the virus – typically spread through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva – has been linked to at least three deaths connected to a Dutch-flagged cruise ship since April 11. A total of 11 infection cases, including the deaths, have been confirmed among the ship’s 147 passengers. –RT

The Andes strain, which is the one currently causing the outbreak, is predominantly found in the New World and is carried by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat, which is indigenous to Argentina and Chile, the watchdog said. Russia’s climate is unfavorable for the virus, reducing the risk of introduction into the country.

Hantaviruses typically do not spread from human-to-human contact, except for the rare Andes strain, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Precautionary measures to take against infection include avoiding contact with rodent droppings, storing food safely, and taking extra hygiene measures, such as keeping homes clean and handwashing.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, different types of hantaviruses are found in the U.S., and most can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a potentially serious disease that can cause damage to the lungs. Non-HPS hantavirus infection can also occur, where patients experience non-specific viral symptoms, but no cardio-pulmonary symptoms.