Dynamics of deaths and mortality rate in Kazakhstan population

Objective: To evaluate the Kazakhstan population`s mortality dynamics on the number of deaths and rates from 2018 to 2020, according to region of residence, and gender. Methods: Overall, retrospective analysis of 389 674 deaths of Kazakhstan residents from 2018 to 2020 was conducted using the ICD-10 version. The sources of information were official data on the size and deaths from the RPN database "Register of Death Certificates," the Statistics Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We used a one-factor linear regression analysis of the main trends of deaths and mortality rate by place, gender, and country level. The results of the regression analysis were presented in the form of non-standardized coefficients (b) and the level of statistical significance (p). Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the total mortality rate of Kazakhstan's population (regression statistics b=17938.0. p=0.302) and by gender during the period under study in 2018-2020. Among the male population, the mortality rate increased by 1.4 times (regression statistic b=9827.5. p=0.292) and the female population – 1.3 times (regression statistics b=8110.5, p=0.313) in the same years. The leading causes of death for the population of Kazakhstan and by gender were non-communicable diseases (the circulatory system ("I"), diseases of the nervous system ("G"), respiratory diseases ("J"), malignant neoplasms ("C") and digestive diseases ("K") during the period from 2018-2020. While for women, nervous system diseases ranked first, and unclassifiable diseases ranked fifth. Conclusion: Thus, the increase in Kazakhstan's population mortality rate was determined in general and by disease classes during the studied time from 2018 to 2020. The leading causes of death for Kazakhstan's general population and by gender were non-communicable diseases despite of effects of COVID-19. Kazakhstan's Northern and Eastern regions had the highest mortality rates in the country and by sex

Two case reports of neuroinvasive West Nile virus infection in the Almaty region, Kazakhstan

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is a member of the genus Flavivirus, which transmitted to humans mainly by mosquitoes. Recent pilot serosurveillance data from the Almaty region, Kazakhstan, suggest widespread WNV circulation in this area. This report includes two cases of neuroinvasive WNV infection in the same family living in a rural area near Tekeli city, Eskeldinsky district, Almaty region, Kazakhstan. Occurring concurrently and manifesting as WNV infection with febrile illness and symptoms of meningoencephalitis. Methods: The study performed retrospective analysis of clinical histories and achieved serum samples obtained from patients with febrile and meningoencephalitic syndromes of unknown origin in the Almaty region spanning from April 1 to October 31, 2019. All sera samples obtained from patients with clinically suspected cases of acute WNV infection were retrospectively tested for WNV and tick-borne encephalitis virus by commercial immunoassays. Two cases were selected. Cases presentation: We report two cases that occurred in August 2019 in a rural area near Tekeli city. Previously healthy 28- and 19-year-old husband and wife with febrile illness and neurological manifestations were hospitalized with the diagnosis of meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology and treated empirically. Retrospective serological analysis showed the presence of high titers of IgG against WNV on day 9 after onset of symptoms in cases. Conclusions: This is the first report of aseptic meningitis with WNV infection in the background in Kazakhstan. The obtained data suggest circulation of WNV in the Almaty region and emphasize importance of laboratory testing for WNV in suspicious cases occurring in the region