Rabid moose infects 14 Russians

Moscow, Feb 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Two residents of Moscow have reportedly been hospitalized while 12 of their relatives are undergoing treatment after coming into contact with a rabid moose.

Sergei Fioktistov, 50, and game specialist Alexander Mikhnuk found a moose in distress near a road in Odintsovo district, the Life News tabloid website reported Monday.

The two brought the injured animal home where it later died. Their family members helped them cut the animal's corpse. However, no injuries were found and they called in the local sanitary control service.

After testing the corpse, officials said the moose died of rabies.

Mikhnuk and Fioktistov have been hospitalised and their relatives vaccinated.

Rabies is a fatal infectious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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