Russian Defence Ministry: Germany studied virus of Crimean-Congo fever in Ukraine

Germany attempted to isolate most pathogenic strains of Crimean-Congo fever in Ukraine, paying special attention to fatal cases of the disease, Igor Kirillov, Chief of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops of the Armed Forces of Russia said.

According to Kirillov, the Bundeswehr was interested in researching the disease, since its morbidity reaches 30 percent. This makes it necessary to carry out lengthy and costly measures for sanitation, treatment and prevention of the virus during an outbreak of fever.

In confirmation, Kirillov cited an excerpt from a document with instructions for Bundeswehr specialists. The document referred to the need to study fatal cases of Crimean-Congo fever.

Military biologists from Germany were trying to identify regional genotypes of the virus in Ukraine and select its strains with hidden clinical forms. Scientists conducted the research to study the susceptibility of the country's population to fever for the purpose, the official added.