Problems of Epidemiological Surveillance of West Nile Fever in Ukraine

ObjectiveTo define the problems of epidemiological surveillance of West Nile fever (WNF) in Ukraine.IntroductionFlaviviridae are one of the most widespread arboviruses in Ukraine. Mosquitoes are vectors of WNF in a majority of cases due to bites during swimming, fishing, work in suburban areas and outdoor recreation without use of individual protection from mosquitoes.A study of the species composition of bloodsucking mosquitoes is conducted in Ukraine. Existence of natural foci of WNF viruses has been well-proven all over the territory of Ukraine by testing IgG antibodies in different groups of population, including children [1]. Also, infection of mosquitoes (RNA found in Culex pipiens (including Culex pipiens f. molestus, Culiseta annulata)) was registered. Infection of I. ricinus and D. reticulates was also determined, and it acts as a factor for circulation of virus in the wild too [2].MethodsStatistical, serological and epidemiological methods were used during the study. Serological tests included reactions with IgM and IgG antibody in human serum performed using immunofluorescent and ELISA methods.ResultsIn Ukraine, the causative agent of WNF is detected in all landscapes. It is the main arboviral infection in the forest-steppe zone (53.1 % among all arboviral infections). Enzootic territories are located in 18 regions, 47 administrative districts, and 63 settlements.The majority of natural foci of WNF is located in the Dnieper left-bank steppes, and also in North-Western and Western forest-steppes. The enzootic territories are located on the East of steppe zone and on the East of forest-steppes. The smallest number of natural foci is registered in the Dnieper right-bank part of the steppes. Enzootic territories are absent in Chernivtsi, Chernihiv, Sumy, Ternopil, Luhansk, Kirovohrad Oblasts and Kyiv. Most of them are located in Zaporizhzhia with 9 administrative districts and 16 settlements; in Rivno Oblast - 7 and 9; in Kherson - 5 and 4, and in Poltava Oblasts - 2 and 4 respectively [3].During the period from 2007 to 2016, 86 cases of WNF were registered. WNF was registered in 7 oblasts (Zaporizhzhya - 40 cases, Poltava - 24, Donetsk - 16, Mykolaiv- 3, Kherson, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr Oblasts - one case in each) [4].Registration of WNF cases separately from other viral hemorrhagic fevers has been conducted in the country since 2010 (official registration of total amount of viral hemorrhagic fevers has been performed since 2005).In enzootic territories, 2 cases of the diseases were registered and were associated with ticks bites. The strains of WNV were detected in bloodsucking mosquitoes in Rivne and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts and in tick samples of Ixodes genus collected in Lviv Oblast (probably may be found in other species of tick (Argasidae and Gamazoidea) where the causative agent is kept in natural foci under unfavorable conditions).Laboratory diagnostics was conducted (mainly retrospectively) in Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Donetsk Oblastss. All diagnoses (exception Mykolaiv Oblast in 2011, data is absent) were laboratory confirmed, including 10 cases confirmed in the State Institution Lviv Research Institute of Epidemiology and Hygiene of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and 3 more cases were confirmed by a private laboratory [2].In total, 129 samples of blood sera collected from patients with clinical manifestations of a fever of unknown origin were delivered to the Laboratory of Virology of Ukrainian Center for Diseases Control and Monitoring during 2016-2017. Samples were investigated using the immunofluorescent and enzyme immunoassay methods including immunoblot. West Nile virus markers such as IgM/IgG antibodies have been detected in 4 cases (Poltava oblast) [4].ConclusionsMainly, single cases were registered. It is caused by insufficient level of diagnostics in most of the regions, as a result, diseases pass under other diagnoses. Migratory birds (3 flyways of migratory birds pass through Ukraine) and local animals (crows, jackdaws, doves and other) may be the possible reservoirs of causative agent of WNF. Laboratory diagnostics need to be improved and more attention should be paid to testing of samples of blood serum from patients with suspected WNF.References[1] Rusev I.T., Zakusilo V.M., Vinnuk V.D. Bloodsucking mosquitoes of urbanized biocenosis and their role are in circulation of viruses of West Nile fever. Series are "Biology, chemistry". issue 24 (63). 2011. No. 2. p. 240-248.[2] Lozinskyi I.M., Beletska G.V., Drul O.S., Fedoruck V.I., Kozlovskyi M.M., Rogochiy E.G., Sholomey M.V., Ben I.I., Shulgan A.M./Epidemic situation of Western Nile fever in Ukraine. Magazine of infectology, issue 6, No. 2, 2014 Appendix 66-65.[3] Official data of state statistic form of the Ministry of Health.[4] Data of the State Institution Ukrainian center for Diseases Control and Monitoring of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

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Concerning the Allocation of Emerging Natural Foci of the Currently Important Infectious Diseases in the West of Kazakhstan

Problems of Particularly Dangerous Infections ◽

10.21055/0370-1069-2014-3-20-24 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 20-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A. K. Grazhdanov ◽

T. Z. Ayazbaev ◽

A. V. Toporkov ◽

F. G. Bidashko ◽

A. V. Zakharov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Ecological Factors ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Emerging Diseases ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

West Nile Fever ◽

The West ◽

West Nile ◽

Western Kazakhstan ◽

Natural Foci

Within the period of 2000-2011, in the West of Kazakhstan, identified have been five, previously unknown in the territory, natural foci of dangerous infectious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, Astrakhan spotty fever, Crimean hemorrhagic fever, West Nile fever, and tick-borne viral encephalitis. The reason is that key ecological factors for the persistence of the infections in the local biocoenoses occurred. It is characteristic that circulation of the agents of new infectious diseases is registered in the territory of the long-established natural plague and tularemia foci. Since 2000 and on, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome morbidity is registered in the Western-Kazakhstan Region on a regular basis. There is some evidence to identification of West Nile fever patients in the territory of Russia in 2012, which came from Kazakhstan. Based on the spatial distribution of the natural foci of various infections, Western-Kazakhstan Region has been subdivided into four areas. In order to provide for the effective prophylaxis of emerging diseases, it is essential that healthcare facilities and services dealing with infectious diseases are consolidated and reinforced, and epidemiological surveillance is improved with the current conditions in mind.

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Experience in the implementation of epidemiological surveillance of West Nile fever in the Volgograd region

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases (Russian Journal) ◽

10.17816/eid40864 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 49-55

Author(s):

M. V Monastyrskiy ◽

N. V Shestopalov ◽

V. G Akimkin ◽

Yu. V Demina

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

West Nile Fever ◽

Management Decisions ◽

West Nile ◽

Epidemic Process ◽

Volgograd Region ◽

Necessary And Sufficient ◽

Epidemiological Situation

West Nilefever (WNF) is the most important arbovirus infectionfor the Volgograd region. The observed decrease in the WNF incidence from 2001 to 2006, in 2008 and2009, the reducing the number ofsevere forms ofdiseases only give evidence ofa temporary regression of the epidemic process in the territory of the Volgograd region. In the territory of the Volgograd region there are prerequisites and harbingers of the complication of epidemiological situation on West Nile fever. The aim of the performed in the Volgograd region epidemiological surveillance for WNF is to provide the information necessary and sufficient for the analysis of the epidemiological situation, as well as to determine the direction of policy and activities in public health and in making management decisions.

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THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF CREATION OF SPECIFIC PREPARATIONS FOR ETIOTROPIC THERAPY AND PROPHYLAXIS OF WEST NILE FEVER AND CRIMEAN HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER

Journal of microbiology epidemiology immunobiology ◽

10.36233/0372-9311-2016-6-85-93 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 85-93

Author(s):

V. I. Efremenko ◽

A. A. Efremenko ◽

D. V. Efremenko

Keyword(s):

Theoretical Basis ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Raw Material ◽

West Nile Fever ◽

West Nile ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Central Regions ◽

Natural Foci ◽

Federal Districts ◽

Regions Of Russia

Problematic issues on creation and practical introduction of specific immune biologic preparations for therapy and prophylaxis of natural-foci arbovirus infections - West Nile fever (WNF) and Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF), that are not available until now, are examined. Persistent natural foci of WNF and CHF with epidemic manifestations have formed in Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts of Russia. Markers of Wfest Nile virus are being detected in central regions of Russia and Siberia, and the presence of fraction of population immune to this infection is also detected. Analysis of literature sources that has been carried out forms a theoretical basis for creation of novel specific preparations for etiotropic therapy and prophylaxis ofWNF and CHF. Use of blood from healthy donors with sufficiently high titers of class G immunoglobulins residing in certain subjects of Russian Federation in natural foci territories with the most intensive epidemic process is possible as raw material.

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Arbovirus infections incidence in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation

Journal of microbiology epidemiology immunobiology ◽

10.36233/0372-9311-74 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 98 (1) ◽

pp. 84-90

Author(s):

N. F. Vasilenko ◽

D. A. Prislegina ◽

O. V. Maletskaya ◽

T. V. Taran ◽

A. E. Platonov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dengue Fever ◽

Russian Federation ◽

Viral Encephalitis ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

European Part ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

The South ◽

West Nile Fever ◽

West Nile ◽

The Russian Federation

Purpose: analysis of the arbovirus infections incidence in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation in 2015–2019.Materials and methods. Data from statistical documentation (epidemiological examination of the infectious disease cases, reports on the arbovirus infections incidence) reported by Departments of Rospotrebnadzor to Scientific and Methodological Center for monitoring pathogens of infectious and parasitic diseases of 1–3 risk groups for subjects of the North Caucasian and Southern Federal Districts were analyzed. The obtained data were processed using Microsoft Excel 2010 program.Results. In the south of the European part of the Russian Federation Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), West Nile fever (WNF), tick-borne viral encephalitis and dengue fever cases are registered annually.An expansion of the territory with registered epidemic manifestations of CCHF and WNF was noted, reflecting an increase in the area of circulation of their pathogens. An expansion of CCHF and WNF epidemic season with the involvement into the epidemic process of people from all age groups including young children was observed. Significant increase in number of imported cases of dengue fever was documented. Markers of tick-borne viral encephalitis, Batai, Inko, Sindbis, and Tyaginya fevers were detected in residents of a number of territories. A high levels of population humoral immunity to West Nile, Batai, Inko, Sindbis Tyaginya, Ukuniemi, Bhanja, Dkhori viruses were identified in the Astrakhan region.Conclusion. The data obtained indicate the need for epidemiological surveillance both for arbovirus infections with a pronounced epidemiological and clinical manifestations, and for infections, the proportion of which in the structure of infectious pathology in southern Russia has not been sufficiently studied, but carrying a potential risk of spreading.

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West Nile Fever Virus Infection in Horses in São Paulo State, Brazil

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.117796 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 50 ◽

Author(s):

Renata Farinelli de Siqueira ◽

Viviane Soares Hansen ◽

Maria de Fátima Monteiro Martins ◽

Marta Lizandra Do Rego Leal ◽

Eduardo Fernandes Bondan

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Migratory Birds ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

The State ◽

São Paulo ◽

West Nile Fever ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

West Nile ◽

Polymerase Chain

Background: The West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies were reported in Brazil in the serum samples taken from horses and birds in the Midwest region and Paraíba state in 2008 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, the first human case was confirmed in a rural worker in the state of Piauí and, in 2018, the virus was isolated from the central nervous system of a horse with nervous symptoms in the state of Espírito Santo. The virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family of the genus Flavivirus (neurotropic), infecting several mammalian species, with humans and horses being the most susceptible. Approximately 35% of horses develop clinical signs, thus they are considered the best sentinels for this disease. The aim of this case report is to describe the first confirmed cases of West Nile Fever (WNF) in two horses in the state of São Paulo.Cases: Two horses with neurological symptoms were treated at the Veterinary Hospital of Cruzeiro do Sul University (São Paulo, SP), in 2019. Both horses came from neighboring regions that have a large Atlantic Forest preservation area and are also routes for migratory birds, known to be competent hosts for transmitting the West Nile Fever virus, such as the swallow, the falcon and the hawk. The first one had symptoms, such as weakness and sporadic seizures; however, after recovering, it was hospitalized a few days later due to kidney failure and laminitis. The second one showed incoordination, pelvic limb weakness, and was walking in circles, evolving to seizures. Both animals were euthanized, and their central nervous system samples and total blood samples were tested for rabies, herpes virus, and WNV; the first 2 tests showed negative results. Ribonucleic acids (RNA) were extracted from erythrocytes using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in-house. The WNV-specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification products were obtained using the nested PCR-multiplex PCR combination.Discussion: Since the 1940s, several WNF outbreaks have been reported around the world (Africa, Europe, Asia and Middle East). In the 2000s, the USA had the most amount of WNF cases reported; cases started being reported in Central and South America in the following years. The virus was identified for the first time in Brazil in 2014. Since then, our country is a route for migratory birds, with many states still having forests, several arboviruses are found such as WNF, which could become a public health problem. Both horses in the present study showed neurological signs and the horse that recovered had renal failure. Such signs are inconclusive, however, similar to those that occur in humans infected by the virus in its neurotropic form. The emergence of new diseases is an important aspect of public health. The literature is vast regarding the description of the pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, viral persistence and sequelae of WNF in humans, however, it is scarce regarding the viral persistence and sequelae of the disease in horses. Future studies are needed to understand the post-infection period in horses, as they are the most sensitive animals along with humans to this virus. Here, we report the first confirmed cases of WNF in the city of São Paulo to bring awareness about considering this disease while diagnosing horses with nervous system disorders.Keywords: encephalitis, horses, flavivirus, mosquito.Título: Infecção pelo vírus da Febre do Nilo Ocidental em equinos no Estado de São PauloDescritores: encefalite, equinos, flavivírus, mosquito.

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Monitoring of the Epidemic Situation with Q Fever in the Regions of Ukraine

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics ◽

10.5210/ojphi.v10i1.8935 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Olha Zarichna

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Causative Agent ◽

Q Fever ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

Epidemic Process ◽

Zoonotic Infections ◽

Natural Foci ◽

Serological Studies ◽

Endemic Areas

ObjectiveTo investigate Q fever pathogen distribution among ixodic ticks, myomorphic rodents, febrile patients, residents of enzootic areas with Q fever and persons in contact with Q fever, specifically infected persons in the Southern and Western regions of Ukraine.IntroductionImprovement of the Q fever epizootic and epidemiological surveillance system remains an urgent veterinary service and healthcare problem in Ukraine. The grounds for this should be laid by the results of monitoring studies of persons with a professional infection risk (livestock farms, animal processing enterprises, veterinary specialists, etc.) and living in enzootic territories , as well as research of Q fever pathogen possible sources reservoirs.MethodsReal-time PCR - detection of specific DNA segments of Coxiella burnetii with application of commercial reagent kits. Immunofluorescence microscopy - detection of antigens/antibodies of studied rickettsia in biological substrates using luminescent immune sera labeled with fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate. Epidemiological methods - analysis of infectious diseases foci epidemiological maps. Statistical methods - data analysis using such software as Excel and Quantum GIS (1.6.0).ResultsPrimarily, Q fever endemic areas are formed because of the circulation of Coxiella burnetii in warm-blooded animal populations and their blood-sucking ectoparasites, which are the main source of the infection in humans. Based on the aggregated data received from multi-year research projects in Ukraine, Q fever enzootic territories were found in 18 administrative regions, Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Currently we know of 257 areas where the pathogen was detected. The epidemic process in these territories is manifested by sporadic human diseases and the detection of the pathogen in natural carriers. The possibility of the natural foci epidemic potential increase in these territories is confirmed by the higher titers of Q fever pathogen specific antibodies detected in the local population.The results of the research of the infected material that was collected in Southern Ukraine during 2014-2016, showed the preservation of the Q fever causative agent in natural foci both in Danube-Dniester interfluve area of Odesa region and in Trans-Dnistrer areas, and its significantly less prevalent in the area adjacent to Odessa. In addition, the signs of natural foci formation have been revealed in other areas, which is indicative of current epidemic activity of natural foci of the infection. The results of serological studies and clinical and epidemiological surveys indicate that in the immunological structure of the population of the Danube-Dniester interfluve areas of Odessa region, Q fever is most common in rural population of working age, especially those constantly contact with farm animals. In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, serological studies in 2014 -2016, detected no Q fever seropositive people, indicating the pathogen being in the reserve stage, which corresponds to the inter-epidemic period. At the same time, the detection of C. burnetii in ticks in the enzootic territories indicates the possibility of the pre-epidemic process being formed.Since by pathogen range and transmission mechanisms Q fever in Ukraine is associated with many natural-focal zoonotic infections, it is advisable to monitor endemic areas using a modern observation algorithm using the introduction of geoinformation systems and the molecular genetic characteristics of circulating strains. This will increase the effectiveness of the detection of current natural and anthropurgic foci of such infections, will contribute to their detailed characterization and systematization, improve epidemiological surveillance and prevent the emergence of epidemic outbreaks among the population. The results of the research will contribute to the improvement of differential diagnosis of febrile states with an unclear etiologic agent.ConclusionsThe results of the Q fever pathogen detection in the material collected in Southern and Western regions of Ukraine showed that the area of prevalence of this agent has been expanded to the areas and settlements that are not included in the list of enzootic territories. Involvement in the ecological cycles of ixodic ticks and mouse-like rodents was observed. The presence of polyvectoral and polyhostal natural foci of this infection was found. The circulation of the causative agent of Q fever in the territories of Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk regions where epidemic outbreaks and sporadic disease in people were also observed.References1. Surveillance Atlas of Infectious Diseases // http://atlas.ecdc.europa.eu/public/index.aspx.2. UCDCM Information Sheet as of 07/21/2010 No. 04.4-31/40/868 On Epidemic and Epizootic Situation with Zoonotic Infections Common for Humans and Animals and Methods of their Prevention in Ukraine.

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West Nile Fever Epidemic Situation in the Russian Federation Territory in 2011 and Prognosis of its Development

Problems of Particularly Dangerous Infections ◽

10.21055/0370-1069-2012-1(111)-17-21 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 17-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

V. A. Antonov ◽

V. Yu. Smolensky ◽

E. V. Putintseva ◽

A. V. Lipnitsky ◽

V. P. Smelyansky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Russian Federation ◽

Forest Steppe ◽

West Nile Fever ◽

West Nile ◽

Central Regions ◽

European Part Of Russia ◽

Natural Foci ◽

The Russian Federation ◽

Near Future ◽

Regions Of Russia

Presented is characteristic of West Nile Fever (WNF) epidemiologic situation in the Russian Federation in 2011. Expansion of the territories involved in the epidemic process and formation of the new WNF foci are observed. Data on WNF morbidity in June-October 2011 in ten regions of Russia are presented. Described are clinical and epidemiologic peculiarities of WNF morbidity in 2011. WNF agent markers are detected in the territory of 38 regions of Russia, suggesting its circulation on the vast areas of the country. Prognosis on WNF epidemic situation in the Russian Federation is considered to be dependent on many factors, climate warming being the most global one. Natural foci emergence and WNF cases registration are expected in the near future in the central regions of European part of Russia and forest-steppe area of Southern Siberia. WNF diagnostics improvement is thought to confer for better registration of the cases and detection of further enlargement of endemic territories.

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EPIZOOTOLOGIC MONITORING OF NATURAL-FOCAL INFECTIONS IN THE SOUTH OF RUSSIA IN 2015

Journal of microbiology epidemiology immunobiology ◽

10.36233/0372-9311-2017-1-29-35 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 29-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

N. F. Vasilenko ◽

O. V. Maletskaya ◽

E. A. Manin ◽

D. A. Prislegina ◽

V. M. Dubyansky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Encephalitis ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

The South ◽

West Nile Fever ◽

West Nile ◽

Human Welfare ◽

Natural Foci ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Federal Districts

Aim. Analyze epizootologic manifestations of natural-focal infections (NFI) in the south of Russia in 2015. Materials and methods. Reports provided by administrations of Federal Service of Surveillance for Protection of Consumers Rights and Human Welfare, Centers of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Research Institutes for Plague Control and Station for Plague Control were used. Data processing was carried out using Excel program. Results. A total of 37 738 samples of field material were studied, most of those - for tularemia (8268), Crimea hemorrhagic fever (6894) and West Nile fever (4875). Causative agents of 15 nosologic forms of NFI were detected during epizootologic examination of the territory of south of Russia, predominating amount of positive samples was obtained during study of material for tick-borne borreliosis (612), Crimea hemorrhagic fever (279) and tularemia (237). Conclusion. Analysis of epizootologic situation on natural-focal infections in the south of Russia gives evidence on the increase of activity of natural foci of bacterial (tularemia, tick-borne borreliosis), rickettsia (tick-borne spotted fevers) and viral infections (Crimea hemorrhagic fever, West Nile fever, tick-borne viral encephalitis), and thus problems of prophylaxis of natural-focal infectious diseases and constant monitoring of natural foci in subjects of Southern, North-Caucasian and Crimea federal districts are of particular importance.

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