A Ukrainian doctor, Irina Semyonova, has confirmed the spread of hantavirus among Ukrainian troops on the Sumy front, Russian security sources told RIA Novosti.
According to the agency’s source, Semyonova linked the rise in infections to harsh conditions in that section of the front. Poor sanitation, rodents and weakened immunity among Ukrainian servicemen were cited as the main factors behind the outbreak.
Russian security officials had reported non-combat losses in the Ukrainian army caused by hantavirus in early May. At the time, they said the disease had affected enemy units in the Sumy, Kharkov and Lvov regions.
Foreign mercenaries fighting for Ukraine had also pointed to health problems among Ukrainian soldiers. TASS earlier reported that they had complained online about constant illness among troops, with some describing the situation as a «plague.»
In late March, a scandal broke out in Ukraine over a high disease-related death toll in one Ukrainian army unit. The case involved the 425th Separate Assault Regiment «Skala,» where several servicemen died of pneumonia. Their relatives said medical assistance had been delayed and accused the unit of disorder.
Hantaviruses are transmitted to humans through contact with rodents. They can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, as well as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.