DUSHANBE, December 4, 2015, Asia-Plus – Cytomegalovirus that allegedly caused the death of five-month-old Umarali Nazarov was not detected in the blood of his mother Zarina Yunousova, Ms. Muqaddas Abdurahmonova, who is Yunousova’s defense lawyer, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

According to her, the blood test that was conducted in Dushanbe has shown that cytomegalovirus is not present in Zarina Yunousova’s bloodstream.

About ten days ago, Zarina Yunousova was summoned to the Interior Ministry, where she wrote an application of explanation and got her blood tested, Abdurahmonova said.

“The blood test has shown that cytomegalovirus is not present in her bloodstream,” the lawyer said.

Cytomegalovirus is a genus of viruses in the order Herpesvirales , in the family Herpesviridae.  Human and monkeys serve as natural hosts. There are currently eight species in this genus including the type species human herpesvirus 5. Diseases associated with HHV-5 include mononucleosis, and pneumonias.  It is typically abbreviated as CMV.

The species that infects humans is commonly known as human CMV (HCMV) or human herpesvirus-5 (HHV-5), and is the most studied of all cytomegaloviruses.  All herpesviruses share a characteristic ability to remain latent within the body over long periods.  Although they may be found throughout the body, CMV infections are frequently associated with the salivary glands in humans and other mammals. 

Meanwhile, Radio Liberty’ Tajik Service reports Russian authorities have officially recognized as a victim Rustam Nazarov, father of Umarali Nazarov.

Having that status will allow Rustam Nazarov to remain in Russia until the probe into the death of his son is wrapped up, according to RFE/RL’s Tajik Service .

We will recall that five-month-old Umarali Nazarov died on October 14, a day after his parents were briefly detained in St. Petersburg and accused of violating migration rules.

Russian officials said the child had died in hospital after suffering respiratory problems.

The parents challenged this, insisting the boy was healthy.

Russian authorities agreed to open a probe into the child''s death only after an outcry, not only from Tajik migrants and human rights activists in Russia, but from government officials in Tajikistan as well.

 

In November, the child’s mother, Zarina Yunousova, was deported to Tajikistan.  She accused Russian officials of taking the action to stop her from pressing authorities on the investigation into her son’s death.