CIS States Intend to Use Russian Test Kit for Zika Virus - Rospotrebnadzor

A number of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) members reached an agreement with the Russian federal health and epidemic monitoring service Rospotrebnadzor on possible use of the Russian test kit for Zika virus, the organization's head said on Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The health official recalled that the Russian test kit would be used during the upcoming August 5-21 Olympic Games in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, and said that the Russian medical researchers and workers had repeatedly visited Brazil in connection with the issue.

"We do cooperate with the CIS countries, it is very important for us, we always assist when the help is needed, and there is an agreement with several countries that if necessary they will be able to use <…> our test kit [for Zika], "Anna Popova told RIA Novosti.

The current Zika outbreak originated in Brazil in the spring of 2015, spread across Latin America and gained much media attention as confirmations of first cases emerged in Europe and the United States recently.

The Zika virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito and is almost innocuous to adults but can be dangerous for pregnant women as their babies may be born with neurological disorders, including microcephaly.

CIS is a regional organization formed by former Soviet Union members in the 1990s. The organization aims to promote economic, political and cultural cooperation.