MOSCOW – The head of Russia’s consumer protection agency is advising Russians not to travel out of the country over the 10-day New Year’s holiday because of an array of health risks.

Security risks already have been cited as reasons not to travel to some of Russians’ favourite vacation spots: Egypt, Turkey and Thailand.

Anna Popova, head of Rospotrebnadzor, told the Interfax news agency on Saturday that Russians should also be wary of travelling to Europe and the United States as well.

In Europe, she claimed refugees from Syria were increasing the risks of getting an infection. In the U.S., she pointed to the 10-15 cases of bubonic plague recorded this year.

The Russian government has been trying to encourage citizens to spend their vacations and their money at home.