Risk-Oriented Characteristics of the Current Epidemiological Situation on West Nile Fever in the Astrakhan Region

Objective – risk-oriented assessment of the current epidemiological situation on West Nile fever in the Astrakhan Region.

Materials and methods. Utilized were the data collected by the Astrakhan Plague Control Station, Rospotrebnadzor Administration in the Astrakhan Region, and A.M. Nichoga Regional Infectious Clinical Hospital. The key method of study was epidemiological analysis of West Nile fever incidence among the population of the Region during the period of 2000–2016. 145 case records were investigated.

Results and discussion. Retrospective analysis provided for identification and featuring of the main categories of epidemiological risk of infection with West Nile fever in the Astrakhan Region in 2000–2016. It was established that men of 19 to 70 age range ( 82.1 %) are infected more often (95 out of 145 – 65 %). WNF infections in women occur among the same age group (75.8 %), and also among children aged below 6 years old (9.0 %). Analysis of the risk territories showed that the level of risk is high in one district, medium – in one district, low – in four districts, and very low – in six. When investigating the conditions of infection (risk factors) with WNF, it was determined that in the majority of cases (107 – 73.8 %) the risk factors were not specified. Out of those that were identified, one should pinpoint the bite of mosquito inside the households, basements, while fishing (16.3 %), as well as the bite, removal or squashing of a tick with unprotected hands (6.9 %). The period of the highest risk is from May to October with the maximum values of incidence in August (55.1 %). 

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