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The aim of this work was to analyze the spatial and temporal features of the epidemic process dynamics of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Irkutsk Region in 2001–2021.Materials and methods. The data of the Rospotrebnadzor Administration for the Irkutsk Region, the Reference Center of the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute, the materials of the state statistical reporting form No. 2 “Information on infectious and parasitic diseases”, and scientific publications were analyzed. The chronological and chorological features of the change in the incidence of TVE have been traced. In the latter case, the administrative-territorial formations (ATF) of the subject were differentiated by epidemiological risk groups over two ten-year periods: 2001–2010 and 2011–2020. At each time interval, the grouping of areas according to the level of TBE incidence was carried out using the calculation of 95% confidence interval. Time sequences of observations were analyzed using the construction of regression equations. Standard methods of variation statistics in the Microsoft Excel were deployed.Results and discussion. Over the course of the 21st century, the incidence of TBE in Irkutsk Region has been declining. Based on 2001–2010 data, there were no cases of TBE in six ATF, and endemic areas were divided into three groups: with low (15 districts), medium (6) and high (8) incidence of TBE. A separate assessment of morbidity rates was conducted in the administrative center of the entity, the city of Irkutsk. In 2011–2020, the structure of ATF with varying epidemiological risk of TBE underwent a change. Six non-endemic areas, groups of low (12 ATFs), medium (9), high (6) and very high (2) epidemiological risk were identified. The spatial arrangement of high epidemiological risk zones changed, and their area increased. Each ATF cluster with different TBE incidence in 2011–2020 is characterized by the number of TBE cases and the volume of measures to prevent the infection. It is concluded that preventive measures were insufficient in ATF groups of high and very high epidemiological risk.

Abstract Background Babesiosis is a globally growing tick-borne disease in humans. Severe babesiosis caused by Babesia divergens has been reported in two patients from Asturias (Northwestern Spain), suggesting an undetected risk for the disease. To analyze this risk, we retrospectively evaluated the seroprevalence of babesiosis in the Asturian population from 2015 through 2017, a period covering the intermediate years in which these two severe cases occurred. Methods Indirect fluorescent assay (IFA) and Western blot (WB) were performed to detect B. divergens IgG antibodies in 120 serum samples from Asturian patients infected with the tick-transmitted spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, a condition that indicates exposure to tick bites. Results This retrospective study confirmed a B. divergens seroprevalence rate of 39.2% according to IFA results. B. divergens incidence was 7.14 cases/100,000 population, exceeding previously reported seroprevalence rates. No differences in epidemiology and risk factors were found between patients infected solely with B. burgdorferi s.l. and those infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. and with IgG antibodies against B. divergens. This last group of patients lived in Central Asturias, had a milder clinical course and, according to WB results, developed different humoral responses against B. divergens. Conclusions Babesia divergens parasites have circulated for several years in Asturias. Epidemiological evidence of babesiosis makes Asturias an emerging risk area for this zoonosis. Human babesiosis could also be relevant in other Spanish and European regions affected by borreliosis. Hence, the potential risk of babesiosis on human health in Asturias and other European forest regions needs to be addressed by the health authorities. Graphical Abstract

Tick-borne viral encephalitis (TBVE) is one of the most significant natural-focal infections in the Russian Federation.The aim of the study was to analyze the current epidemiological situation on TBVE in the Buryat Republic in 2010–2020 with a subsequent differentiation of municipalities by epidemiological risk groups in order to elaborate proposals for optimization of preventive measures.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the epidemiological situation on TBVE in the Buryat Republic was carried out using forms of federal statistical surveillance No. 2 “Information on infectious and parasitic diseases” over 2010–2020 and the data from the Reference Center of the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and Far East of the Rospotrebnadzor on the epidemiological situation and preventive measures in the municipalities of the constituent entity. Statistical processing was performed applying conventional methods of variation statistics. Based on calculated 95 % parametric confidence interval for the data on variability of the long-term average TBVE incidence in the municipalities of the Republic of Buryatia over a 10-year period, the entities were differentiated by epidemiological risk groups. QGis 2.18.28 and a set of open geodata OpenStreetMap were used for mapping.Results and discussion. All municipalities have been classified into five groups by the level of epidemiological risk: with zero TBVE incidence – 2 districts, with a low level – 4, medium – 8, high – 5, very high – 2. In addition, the administrative center has been placed into a separate group. Each individual group of municipalities is characterized by the number of TBVE cases, the level of morbidity, the frequency of seeking medical aid because of tick bites, the scope of specific and non-specific prevention measures. Recommendations for optimizing the tactics of TBVE prevention in certain municipal districts have been provided.

The aim of the work was information-analytical assessment of the epidemiological situation on infectious diseases that are potentially or truly dangerous in terms of occurrence of emergencies of sanitary-epidemiological nature in the Region of Americas.Materials and methods. The study was based on the official reports of the WHO, the Pan American Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national Ministries of Health, data from the ProMED information portal, the Global Network for the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, and published scientific papers.Results and discussion. By the model of the Americas, regional epidemiological features have been established, including the endemicity (enzooticity) of territories according to the most relevant nosological forms and the intensity of the epidemic process manifestations. It is shown that the main epidemiological risks in the countries of Central, South America and the Caribbean are associated with dengue, Zika, Chikungunya fevers characterized by a wide territorial dissemination and the ability to cause large-scale epidemic outbreaks, in the countries of North America – West Nile fever. Other infections of international concern include: cholera, that twice caused epidemics of imported origin during the seventh pandemic, which changed the structure of world morbidity; plague, manifested in an annual incidence, including with a complication by the pneumonic form, which determines an increased potential danger of anthropogenic spread; malaria, demonstrating an upward trend in morbidity and the number of intra-continental imported cases; yellow fever, characterized by the activation of natural foci and the expansion of the territories of potential pathogen transmission. The data obtained can serve as a basis for assessing the risks of infectious disease introduction from the American Region into safe territories, improving epidemiological forecasting and validity in making managerial decisions when conducting sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures.

In 2018, between June14 and July 15, final matches of the FIFA World Cup-2018 were held in 11 cities of the Russian Federation. That event was the biggest mass event with international participation in the history of Russia. During the period, in the process of sanitary-epidemiological welfare provision, developed earlier scintific-and-practical achievementds for prevention of emergency situations of sanitary-epidemiologoical character were implemented to the fullest extent. Objective of the study – analysis of evolution of the developed in Russia scientifically-substantiated approaches in the sphere of sanitary-epidemiological welfare provision of mass events and aggregation of the results of their implementation during preparation and holding of FIFA World-Cup-2018. Utilized were information-analytical materials from the Rospotrebnadzor Administrations by the constituent entities of the Russian Federatuion, Centers of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the entities of the Russian Federation, RusRAPI “Microbe” of the Rospotrebnadzor, data from Organizing Committee “Russia-2018”, Federal Turism Agency, information published in periodical press. Scientifically substantiated model of sanitary-epidemiological welfare provision during mass events was developed in the Russian Federation. It includes expert evaluation and quantification of potential epidemic hazard of mass event which allows for targeted prophylactic and anti-epidemic measures with rationalized loads and adequate frequency of repeat. The paper discusses the complex of measures carried out during preparation and holding of FIFA World Cup-2018 by the functional areas: sanitary protection of the territory; epidemiological surveillnace over relevant anthropozoonotic, natural-focal zoonotic, sapronotic infectious diseaseas; sanitary surveillance over communal facilities, catering facilities, sites of accomodation of the participants and guests; sanitary-hygienic monitoring of ambient environment objects; provision of anti-epidemic preparadeness and readiness of the Rospotrebnadzor authorities and institutions and medical organizations; provision of readiness of laboratory facilities; involvement of additional forces and capacities and interagency cooperation in response to emergency situations of sanitary-epidemiological character.

Objective of the study was to develop the methodology for identification of administratively independent areas under potential risk of “external” epidemiological threat realization, by the example of cholera.Materials and methods. Analysis was conducted using free software package with open source code (QGIS 2.8 and GRASS GIS 7.0) on the basis of the data received from Rosgranitsa and the Federal State Statistics Service. The construction of risk cartogram was performed on the base of Euclidean distance and estimation of nuclear density.Results and conclusions. In accordance with the obtained results, the GIS containing information about the checkpoints on the Russian border, settlements, roads and railway lines was worked out. The method of identification of risk areas due to importation of infectious diseases based on the cholera model has been developed, and the total area of such territories was less than 1 % of the total area of the country. It was found that in some cases the risk area is located at a certain distance from the checkpoint, but the existence of checkpoint does not lead to the formation of risk areas. The developed GIS is available on the geo-information portal of FGHI Rostov-on-Don Research Anti-Plague Institute of Rospotrebnadzor.

Mass gatherings (MGs) always incur some kind of potential hazard associated with incipiency of emergency situations with sanitary-epidemiological bias (ES). Upcoming Universiade (World Student Games) in Kazan (July, 2013) raises an issue of implementation of a unified system of approaches to the effective provision of sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population, taking due account of peculiarities and specific conditions under which the MG will be conducted. Therewith key objective of this study has been formulated as elaboration of the system based on epidemiological assessment of real and potential threats at the MG. Analyzed have been the data on 37 MGs carried out over the period of 25 years since 1987 up to 2012; investigated is epidemiological situation in 170 participating states. Worked out is a scheme of qualitative determination of potential epidemiological threat on the basis of comprehensive assessment of epidemiological risks in the endemic territories of the troubled regions. Distinguished is a complex of measures for the provision of sanitary-epidemiological welfare when managing the Universiade in Kazan heedful of high potential epidemiological hazard of this event.

The criteria approach has been proposed for the development of the database on the risks in the sphere of biological safety in the constituent unit of the Russian Federation. This approach includes application of the following indices: epidemiological, social and demographic ones, those regarding external and internal menaces to the biological safety, characteristics of biological and chemical objects of potential danger. The database is oriented for work as a part of geographical information systems.