ECOLOGICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF WEST NILE FEVER IN THE ROSTOV REGION

RETRACTEDPurpose: Th e study of the West Nile Fever (WNF) with the estimation of results of ecological/epizootological monitoring and epidemic manifestations of infection.Materials and methods: investigations for the presence of antigen of WN virus were carried out on 5754 specimen (4187 samples of brain suspensions) of birds belonging to 90 species, 15 orders; 4153 specimen (1038 samples of brain suspensions) of 17 species of mammals; 46113 specimen (2081) of 18 species of mosquitoes; 13883 specimen (1588) of imago ticks of six species, and others (2001-2013). Methods used: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, epidemiological analysis.Results: the territories of risk for WNF were defi ned with regard to bird ecology, fauna of mosquitoes of Culicidae family was characterized, the ecological linkages of WN virus with birds, mosquitoes and mammals were defi ned. Th e area of habitation of West Nile (WN) virus was determined. Epizootological/epidemiological zoning of the Rostov Region was carried out with identifi cation of territories, diff ering by the degree of risk of population infection with WN virus.Summary: Th e results obtained can serve the evidence of formation of natural and anthropurgic foci of WNF

West Nile Fever in the Rostov Region: Ecological and Epidemiological Peculiarities of the Outbreak in 2010

This paper describes the outbreak of West Nile fever in the Rostov Region in 2010 and evaluates its ecological and epidemiological peculiarities. From 15th of July till 22nd of September 2010, detected were the 64 cases (1, 4800/0000) of the disease, which were characterized by vector-born mechanism of transmission. Peak of morbidity coincided with mass breeding of Culicidae, increase in the number of Culex mosquitoes, and reoccurring growth of Aedes mosquito population. Diffuse type of the epidemiological process, higher rates of the cases among urbanites, infected in the country-side area, were the characteristic features of that outbreak. West Nile virus antigen was detected by means of IFA in samples taken from An. maculipennis and Cx. pipiens mosquitoes, wild and synanthropic birds, Rh. rossicus ticks, house and wood mice, which facilitates identification of the core factors for the agent circulation and West Nile fever natural focus formation