We first met about the new coronavirus in the middle of February, and then in the subtitle was made a question which all asked: “When will this horror end?”. It took six months, but the pandemic continues. Can we say that we now know SARS-CoV-2, or from it, you can still expect the unexpected?
Victor Maleev: We learned a lot about the virus. But no outcome, even intermediate, I would not fail, and do not rush to do it. Pandemic, unfortunately, is in full swing. The study of coronavirus is continuing, and the issues are still many. I’m sure there will be many more surprises.
now epidemiologists care about the most? Still, doctors have made great progress in methods of treatment, so was the vaccine. It would seem that we will be able to control the new infection. Nevertheless, the who, our experts urge not to relax, to implement protection measures.
Victor Maleev: During our first conversation, I gently suggested that by the summer, the epidemic should subside, as is the case with influenza, other respiratory infections. But it turned out differently: in our country the spread of the virus, though slowed, but still continues, and in many countries, the daily increase is very large.
Recently discussed the probability of the second wave. The fear justified: season influenza one infection may overlap with another. It will be necessary to differentiate the patients diagnosis. Perhaps to strengthen the restrictive measures.
And there is the opportunity to defend himself or at least to prepare for this second wave?
Victor Maleev: to Prepare, of course, necessary. I suggested: why not look at existing data, how many of us were vaccinated against influenza and how many of them got sick COVID-19. There is reason to believe that vaccination against influenza may in some measure protection from coronavirus, to weaken its impact. But until now, such analysis was neither us or anywhere abroad.
the Second point. We are still unclear whether it is possible to be infected and influenza, and coronavirus at the same time, and if this interference occurred, how it affected the severity of the disease. To find out, we need a clear detailed diagnosis of each sick, you need to collect and process data. But while this question remains open. The epidemic was so unexpected and happened so fast that all forces were sent to rescue the patients, the doctors failed to this analysis.
It turns out that we are powerless to predict the second wave, and to defend against it?
Victor Maleev: it Depends on what you understand under the second wave. In the world and in our country is still not over the first wave. And if in Russia the number of new cases of PE��have estalo to grow, in General, in the world even peak yet, to the decay of the epidemic far.
However, judging by what happens in other countries, it can be assumed that such a total rise incidence as this spring, will be gone. The more services of all countries on the alert – and now they automatically react if somewhere something happens: impose restrictions, isolate infected people, that is doing everything to stop the spread of infection. My guess is most likely, then the coronavirus will show local outbreaks, and the big waves will not occur. But we’ll see.
But hopes that were expressed earlier after the completion of the epidemic, the virus may disappear and never return, as has happened with some other infections, in the past? We are now to live with him forever?
Victor Maleev: Can say that the incidence will remain and will be. In September and October, when the season of respiratory infections, rise to be expected, anywhere we from it do not hold your hand.
But I believe that these re-UPS are much weaker than where we have been. First, there was population immunity. In the world over 12 million people.
they are the ones who tracked down and diagnosed. This figure can be safely multiplied by three. In our country, too, according to study population immunity, formed a large enough group of people, protected from COVID-19. In Moscow, for example, more than 20 percent already. This, of course, not those 60-70 per cent, which would allow us to sleep peacefully and not be afraid, but also quite a good level.
secondly, and this is encouraging, so far not described in any country in cases of reinfection. That kind of communication was, but after tests they confirmed. So immunity to the virus is definitely produced. So, even if someone gets infected again the disease, will likely be easier.
the Current epidemic is often compared with the pandemic of “Spanish flu”. But there is the second wave was more powerful and deadly… what can it depend?
Victor Maleev: “Spanish flu” that started in 1918 and lasted for two years, and then killed, according to various estimates, from 50 to 100 million people. But to compare that situation with the current incorrect. First, there was the world war, famine, people are weakened. Second, the level of the medicine and present not comparable.
No, I don’t see the risk of repetition of such disasters.
Recently a statement was made that the coronavirus may not be all so new: his footprints were found in the sewage of European cities, in samples taken long before the epidemic. It is possible that the virus been with us, he “slept” and then for some reason activated?
Victor Maleev: you can Assume a lot. It is important to continue to study the virus. Since the decoding of its genome it’s only been six months, and the data that we already have, until very contradictory.
it is Known that outbreaks of many diseases are cyclical, but to predict exactly when this might happen, we cannot. Because viruses can mutate, it is possible that previous versions of SARS-CoV-2 was already present in the natural environment. I, at least, such possibility do not exclude.
Now the word for virologists – as I said, a lot of questions. But certainly it is clear the virus will remain with us, and we will have to reckon with this new reality.
of Course, I want to COVID-19 ceased to be such a terrorist. At first, everyone was hoping that summer will come, the sun will be a lot and the virus will give up the position. Summer is in full swing and we are all waiting for. What are the factors that in principle affect the epidemic? After all, something we still can manage.
Victor Maleev: to affect epidemic situation, you need to learn at least three basic positions are related to the virus. The first is to understand thoroughly how it changes and spreads. Depends on all measures of protection. The second point to understand the impact of the change in the weather. What we see now: the climate won’t work. Coronavirus attacks and North, and South, not afraid of no heat, no sun. But this is only the first experience of our meeting with him and observations. There is hope that the situation will change for the better.
Finally, the third important factor – how to be immune to new infections and if we can create against it, effective vaccines and drugs.
Why do you think that the situation will change for the better and “crown” will be moved from the category of “year-round” seasonal infections?
Victor Maleev: Because almost all the acute respiratory viral infections aktiviziruyutsya during the cold season. Remember the “swine” flu epidemic of 2010. It is, incidentally, began in the summer – a new virus can “shoot” at any time of the year. But then the situation came to normal, and this “swine” strain became another kind of regular seasonal flu which comes every year in autumn and winter.
the Explanation is simple: all respiratory infections enter the body through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. And in the winter when it is cold, slush, mucosal immunity – local immunity of mucous membranes decreases. So the weather extremes – for us the test, we suffer a healthy microflora of the nasopharynx. And for respiratory viruses, on the contrary, there is freedom. Moreover, we have a few tempers and including the mucous membranes strengthens the immune system. But this measure does not stop. In the summer, by the way, to do it the easiest way.
You said that the third basic factor is the study immunetETA to the coronavirus, and the creation of vaccines and drugs. It is in this direction, according to reports in the press, for six months, managed to make serious progress?
Victor Maleev: Yes, for six months, the doctors learned to recognize and treat the disease, there is no confusion that was beginning.
the drugs that would directly protect against the virus, it is a big problem. From hypertension, for example, we have about 200 products – they have different mechanisms of action, they can be combined, selecting effective combination. That is, cardiologists are armed, they have plenty to choose from. But from flu, although the world get sick every year millions of people die and hundreds of thousands, was only two or three more or less reliable drugs.
WITH COVID-19 therapy is mainly intended to compensate for the devastating impact of the virus on the body. When I realized that affects the capillaries, thrombosis occurs, including in the lungs, – began to use anticoagulants, and mortality. To suppress acute inflammation began to use Dex – also has improved, although there is also no special open, this is a known product with a clear mechanism of action.
But with regard to antiviral drugs – here is weak. Was in the world while only two of the drug, one in USA, another in Russia. They only began to be widely used. Let’s hope that efficiency, which is seen in clinical studies, confirmed.
“Beat up”, to fight with complications is a necessary tactic. Antiviral drugs are very necessary. We must act on the virus, you have to push. This is very important, because if the vaccine delayed -need to have the drug for preventive use.
But that said, the first Russian vaccine has successfully passed the “clinic”, it is expected that it will register and start to produce in August.
Victor Maleev: Really want to believe that the vaccine will be, and will be effective and safe. But still, it’s a very difficult thing to develop it in such a short time.
once in the 90-ies, when it flared HIV-AIDS, I was on a business trip in the United States. A huge institution – show me, they say, will soon be a vaccine. And where is she? There is no vaccine so far. Although the epidemic, fortunately, have learned to control using antiretroviral drugs.
same with hepatitis C, malaria, which also hurt hundreds of millions annually. It would seem, here where need the vaccine! But it is not.
it is Clear that during a pandemic, all forces were thrown on the vaccine, and modern technologies allow to “construct” a product with the desired properties fast enough. It is clear that the conditions of testing and registration butnew drugs in some measure softened – emergency situation requires. So could the work be accelerated. About the vaccine COVID-19 stated not just us. The output of the vaccine in the USA, China, is nearing completion, as reported, scientists in Germany.
But it should be understood that this “acceleration” should not weaken safety requirements for the drug. The vaccine used in healthy individuals – the risk of side effects there has to tend to zero.
But maybe the right “antireligioznik”, who generally refuse vaccination?
Victor Maleev: This is a provocative question. But I’ll answer. I have grandchildren-twins, so I’m just going to go to congratulate them, they are seven years old. I am in no way against vaccinations, and will only be happy if they receive such protection. Any physician who is faced with infections, and I for his work with is what I experienced, nothing else will not tell you, because he knows and understands that vaccination is the most effective means of protection.
At the same time no one forced anyone to vaccinate will not. Doctors, other risk groups – Yes, we should definitely vaccinate. But we have to act not by force, but only to explain and persuade. Just so.
Victor, if I were to summarize what are the most important insights about COVID-19 was able to do in these months?
Victor Maleev: first, the incidence can be controlled. What social distancing, wearing masks and gloves inhibits the spread of the virus – is today a fact. Secondly, the doctors learned COVID-19 to treat and deal with complications even in severe cases. Mortality is not that big, we know many infections worse. And, thirdly, we are close to secure control of the new infection, the vaccine will be and antiviral therapy.
With all this to downplay the seriousness of a new disease is not worth it. We have yet to study the long-term implications.
July 22, Victor V. Maleev celebrates its 80th anniversary. A prominent infectious diseases specialist and epidemiologist, academician Victor Maleev his long professional life fighting with dangerous infections. Started child’s physician, in charge of the clinic. And since 1968 and until today continues his research activities in Central research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor.
Victor was working on methods of intensive therapy of many dangerous infections. Thanks to him, for example, the original classification of cholera and dehydration of the syndrome – doctors have learned to cope with the disease. Based on his research created the medicines that save us from the plague, acute intestinal infections, hemorrhagic fevers. Maleev opened the patterns of violation of the coagulation system KROVI infections – it also helps to cope with oslojneniya.
Victor has traveled all over the country and probably half the world: fought with dysentery during the construction of the center, helped evacuate children from Afghanistan to the USSR in 1985 and worked in different countries, in almost all foci of dangerous infections of cholera, “pneumonic” plague, SARS, Lassa fever. At the outbreak of the epidemic “swine” influenza in 2009-2010, Maleev coordinated protection measures at the Federal level, helped regions to prepare for the attack of infection. And in 2014 he was the first among our specialists went to the hotbed of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Guinea.
At Maleeva huge army of enthusiasts of the students as their mentor, they work in all corners of Russia. In June 2020, in addition to numerous awards and titles by the decree of the President of Russia he was awarded the insignia “For coaching”.
And today, the male remains at the forefront of the fight against infectious diseases, continued his scientific work and mentoring.
congratulations to Victor V. Maleev happy anniversary! We wish you health, long life, vigor and new scientific discoveries!
the Russians, arriving from abroad, no longer need to follow a two-week quarantine, but within three days must pass a test for coronavirus, reported in Rospotrebnadzor.
the Ministry said that the new measures introduced on the eve of the opening of the international flights, which is now being discussed by the Cabinet. However, they do not apply to the export routes, which passengers will have 14 days to comply with self-isolation.
With the resumption of air travel with a number of countries the Russians every time you travel abroad will need to complete a test COVID-19. At the time of registration on the return flight they will need to fill out a special form on the portal, and then within three days after returning to the country to load the results of laboratory studies on novel coronavirus infection. On Board the aircraft will be issued to fill in the questionnaire that the airline during the day will give to the territorial body of Rospotrebnadzor at the place of arrival of the person.
the New rules will affect not only Russians, but also foreigners planning a trip to Russia. They will have to provide information about the negative test COVID-19, performed PCR, not earlier than three calendar days before arrival in Russia.
