Epidemiological Characteristics and Prevention of Tick-Borne Viral Encephalitis in the Subarctic Territories of the European North

Abstract

Current: In the subarctic territories of the European North, a combination of system-forming factors shaping an increased risk of morbidity has been accumulated: climatogeographic, ecological, ethnic, social. These factors can become triggers for the spread of natural focal infections, including tick-borne viral encephalitis. They require a special approach in the organization of healthcare. The aim of this study was to study of the features of the incidence of tick-borne viral encephalitis among the population of the subarctic territories for the period from 2012 to 2021 and evaluation of measures for the implementation of specific prevention. Materials and methods. The data taken from the federal forms of statistical observation (statistical reporting form No. 2 "Information on infectious and parasitic diseases", statistical reporting form No. 5 "Information on preventive vaccinations") were used in the territories of the Arkhangelsk, Murmansk regions, the Republic of Karelia, the Komi Republic. A comparative study was conducted between them, as well as with the average statistical values for the Russian Federation. The results of the study and their discussion. over the past decade, a decrease in the incidence of tick-borne viral encephalitis has been observed in the studied subarctic territories. At the same time, in the Arkhangelsk region, the Republics of Karelia and Komi, it remained higher in comparison with the average values for the Russian Federation. In the last 2 years, there has also been a decline in cases of infection, but this down-fall is much slower than in the country as a whole. Some positive trends are determined by the results of the implementation of preventive measures. Among them, the main importance was played by full-fledged vaccination of the population in endemic regions (the Arkhangelsk region, partly the Komi Republic and Karelia), thanks to which a sufficient pool of antibodies to the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis is created in the body. It exceeded the all-Russian indicators in scale. In addition, in areas with a wide spread of vector ticks, powerful nonspecific prevention is carried out, aimed at the destruction of vectors or treatment with repellents.