West Nile fever in Volgograd Oblast: features of the epidemic process’s manifestations at the present stage

Objective: To study the regional features of the West Nile fever (WNF) epidemic process manifestations using the example of the territory with stable and long-term pathogen circulation (Volgograd Oblast).Materials and Methods: We used the data of the Reference Center for monitoring the WNF pathogen based on the Volgograd Research Anti-Plague Institute of Rospotrebnadzor over 1999–2021. The main method is a comprehensive epidemiological method.Results: The long-term changes in the WNF incidence in Volgograd Oblast is characterized by a cyclical nature with an interval of 1–8 years and a tendency to decrease. The maximum risk of infection occurs in August (58.8%), but there is an increase in the number of cases in September. The average duration of the epidemic season is 8.4 weeks. Case fatality rate is at the level of 4.3%; the prevalence of the number of deaths in the group of 70 years and older (75%), as well as among men (63.6%) has been established. The greatest contribution to the incidence rate is made by the age group of 60 years and older (37.7%). Features of the clinical presentation include the dominance of forms without damage to the central nervous system (91.1%) and moderate clinical course (72.3%). The prevalence of the urban population among the infected was noted (85.5%).Conclusion: A comparative analysis of the clinical and epidemiological WNF manifestations in Volgograd Oblast, territories with a stable circulation of the pathogen (Astrakhan and Rostov Oblasts) and, in overall, the Russian Federation, established differences in the duration of cyclical fluctuations in incidence, seasonality (Rostov Oblast), age structure of incidence (Astrakhan Oblast), distribution of cases by the severity of the clinical course, the site of the alleged infection and social status

Concerning Two-Level Structure of Potential Epidemic Hazard of the Mass Events with International Participation

The paper discusses epidemiological environment of particular countries and parts of the world viewed as potential platforms for mass events with international participation. It is established that the most unfavorable in this respect are Asian countries, primarily South-Eastern Asia ones, and African ones, from where the majority of well-known pandemics and epidemics have originated. Specified are the factors which are significant for spread of infectious diseases that can trigger emergency situation of sanitary epidemiological character of international concern. They are tourism and migration, trade and economic affairs, natural and anthropogenic disasters. The concept - “potential epidemic hazard of mass events with international participation” - is defined. It is demonstrated that its structure comprises two levels: the natural background of endemic and imported as related to mass event region epidemiological hazards, and epidemiological hazards imposed by the event itself. Outlined is a step-by-step algorithm for assessment of “potential epidemic hazard” of mass events with international participation allowing for adjustment of measures for the provision of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population

Improvement of the Preventive Measures for Managing Universiade-2013 Held in Kazan, Based on Comprehensive Evaluation of Epidemiological Risks as Regards Natural-Focal Infectious Diseases

Presented is the methodology for comprehensive evaluation of epidemiological risks (spatial and temporal characteristics, risk factors and cohorts) associated with natural-focal infectious diseases that pose a threat to sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population within the frames of Universiade-2013. The event has been characterized from the viewpoint of mass gathering taking into consideration the complex of related threats to sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population. Analyzed has been regional epidemiological situation on the currently important infections, whereas natural-focal infections have been assessed in reference to epidemiological risk. Based on the comprehensive evaluation with GIS software application differentiated have been the territories against the level of potential epidemiological hazard, put forward has been methodological approach to non-specific prophylaxis of natural-focal infectious diseases. Discussed have been the fundamentals of the approach, herewith it has been demonstrated that justified selection of internal threat and identification of spatial risk factors, as well as nature, scope and timing of the preventive measures ensure provision of favorable epidemiological situation as seen in the case of Universiade-2013

Evaluation of External and Internal Threats to Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare of the Population in the Context of Mass Sporting Events

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

Quantitative Assessment of Potential Epidemic Hazard of Mass Events with International Participation and Methodology Approbation in the Context of Universiade-2013

Put forward is a methodology for quantitative assessment of potential epidemic hazard (PEH) as regards mass events with international participation in terms of the relevant infectious diseases capable of (in compliance with IHR, 2005) inducing emergency situation of sanitary epidemiological character. It is established that PEH is an aggregate risk of infection importation by incoming contestants and visitors and of its dissemination across the mass even location. As a result of PEH level differentiation identified have been four following grades: high, medium, low and minimum. Calculated has been a rate of PEH for the XXVI Worldwide Summer Universiade in Kazan, 2013, exemplified by such infectious disease as cholera

Dissemination of Infectious Diseases Significant for the Sanitary Protection of the Territory of the Russian Federation in East-Mediterranean Region

Objective of the study is to generalize epidemiological data and assess the situation in the countries of East-Mediterranean region on infectious diseases that require the measures on sanitary protection of the territory of the Russian Federation, CIS member-states, and Eurasian Economic Union. Materials and methods. Epidemiological analysis was carried out using the data of official websites and periodical publications of WHO, WHO East-Mediterranean Office, National Health Ministries, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, other international organizations and open-access literature sources. Results and conclusions. Systematized and summarized have been the data on morbidity rates and spatial dissemination of diseases in each particular country from the point of view of possible risks to visiting them individuals. The data presented on the infectious diseases allow for addressing the issues associated with the risk of infection; identification of the factors and terms of high risk of infection; for forecasting the probability of disease importation into the Russian Federation. The information may prove to be useful for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of potential epidemic hazard in the course of sanitary-epidemiological welfare provision under international mass events

Автоматизованая система для измерения декремента электрокожного сопротивления человека

Показано, що вимірювання електрошкіряного опору (ЕШО) з використанням тестуючих сигналів є недостатньо точними У статті запропонована автоматизована система для вимірювання динаміки ЕШО без тестуючих сигналів, яка використовує радіотеплові сигнали біологічно активних точок (БАТ). На основі цих уявлень отримані математичні вирази для оцінки динаміки ЕШО. Автоматизована система з логарифмічним перетворювачем дозволяє оцінювати декремент електрошкіряного опору людини як його діагностичний показник. Розглянуто функціональна схема автоматизованої вимірювальної системи, принцип і алгоритм обробки сигналу. Показано, що даний спосіб та розроблена автоматизована система дозволяє підвищити точність і забезпечує повну безпеку електропунктурної діагностики.It is shown that the measurement electroscrap resistance (ESR) using test signals are not accurate enough In the article we propose an automated system to measure the dynamics of ESR without testing signals, which uses thermal signals of biologically active points (BAP). On the basis of these representations the mathematical expression for the dynamics of ESR. Automated system with logarithmic Converter allows to estimate the decrement electroscrap resistance as a diagnostic indicator. The functional diagram of the automated measuring system, the principle and algorithm of signal processing. It is shown that this method can improve the accuracy of an automated system for measuring the decrement ESR eschau at their own noise fluctuations human, which use the circuit compared with loharyfmatorom and built-in microcomputer CPU, which excludes the impact of volatility parameters of the circuit elements and the comparison of its own noise. The system provides eschau count decrement ESR in logarithmic units with large uneven resistance in acupuncture points and beyond, which significantly expands the dynamic range comparable resistance and provides visibility and comparability of diagnostic results.Показано, что измерение электрокожного сопротивления (ЭКС) с использованием тестових сигналов является недостаточно точным. В статье предложена автоматизированная система для измерения динамики ЭКС без тестовых сигналов, с использованием радиотепловых собственных злучений биологеских активных точок (БАТ). На основании этих представлений получены математические соотношения для оценки динамики ЭКС. Автоматизированная система с логарифмическим преобразователем позволяєт оценивать декремент электрокожного сопротивления человека в виде диагностического показателя. Рассмотрена функциональная схема автоматизированной измерительной системы, принцип и алгоритм обработки сигнала. Показано, что такой поход и разработанная автоматизированная система позволяют увеличить точность и обеспечивают полную безопасность электропунктурной диагностики

Infectious Diseases in the Americas Region that Are Relevant to the Global Surveillance and Control

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

Distribution of Infectious Diseases Significant for Sanitary Protection of the Territory of the Russian Federation in the WHO European Region

The review presents generalized epidemiological data and the situation on infectious diseases requiring measures for the sanitary protection of the territory of the Russian Federation in the countries of the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO). The epidemiological analysis was carried out using data from the official websites and periodicals of WHO, the WHO European Office, the ministries of health of countries, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, other international organizations, as well as materials from publicly available publications. The review summarizes and systematizes data on the incidence and territorial distribution of diseases in each specific country from the standpoint of possible risks for people visiting it. The presented data on infectious diseases make it possible to navigate through issues related to the risk of contracting infectious diseases, to determine the factors and seasonality of an increased risk of infection, and to predict the possibility of importing diseases into the Russian Federation

Pedographic assessment of the impact of off-the-shelf orthopedic shoes on the load distribution under the feet in patients with a high risk of developing diabetic foot syndrome

BACKGROUND: It is known that the so-called “rocker” outsole helps to reduce the load on the forefoot and toes. Such an outsole is available in ready-made orthopedic shoes of some Russian manufacturers, however, an objective assessment of their impact on the load distribution under the foot during walking has not been carried out.AIMS: To study the pressure distribution inside the off-the-shelf orthopedic shoes“Sursil-Ortho” in comparison with the load inside the shoes used by patients on a daily basis.METHODS: We studied 20 patients (40 feet) with a high risk of diabetic foot syndrome. According to clinical data, a risk regions were determined on the plantar surface of the feet. In-shoe pedography (pedar, novel,Germany) was performed in shoes usually worn by the patients, and in orthopedic shoes“Sursil-Orto”(Moscow). The maximum peak pressure (MPP) was calculated. Criterion of efficiency: MPP in the risk region<200 kPa or reducing it by 25% or more.RESULTS: There was a significant decrease of the median MPP in the forefoot and in the risk region. The percentage of feet with MPP >200 kPa in the risk region decreased from 58% to 30% (p=0,014), in any area of the forefoot — from 63% to 30% (p=0,04). The increase in MPP under the midfoot and hindfoot did not exceed +14% (ns). Tested footwear was effective in 71% of cases. Predictors of the insufficient effect were: higher initial MPP in the risk region, risk region on the hallux or in the lateral part of the forefoot.CONCLUSIONS: Shoes with a rigid rocker outsole significantly reduce the pressure under the forefoot and under the toes during walking. The degree of load reduction varies: the lateral part of the forefoot and 2-5 toes are most unloaded, and the hallux and medial forefoot are slightly less