China oranges

More than 200 Russian children were hospitalised in the country’s isolated Magadan region last week after eating fruit imported from China.

The children, mostly aged under three, fell ill with acute intestinal infections after eating bananas, apples and citrus imported largely from China, reported RIA Novosti.

Authorities have taken steps to contain the spread of the illness, reported to be some kind of virus, and hope the outbreak will die down in spring when melting ice will allow domestic food deliveries.

Magadan, located in Russia’s far northeast, is accessible only via ferry in summer, and in winter only over the ice or by a 2,000km dirt road.