REVIEW OF THE INCIDENCE OF CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER FOR 17.5 YEARS IN 2005-1/2 2022 BASED ON PROMED-RUS REPORTS

Abstract

Intro: The ProMED Service in Russian (ProMED-RUS) informs its readers about the most important information about infectious diseases in the world, especially in the countries of the former Soviet Union, and other countries of WHO European Region (WHO/Europe), where there are territories endemic for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Aim: to estimate the incidence of CCHF in the above mentioned territories during the past 17.5 years based on ProMED-RUS data. Methods: We reviewed 339 ProMED-RUS CCHF reports published within January 2005 - July 2022. Moderators' comments were also taken into account. Findings: According to ProMED-RUS, during 2005-1/2 2022 cases of CCHF have been reported in the Russian Federation (RF) in the Stavropol, Rostov, Volgograd, Astrakhan regions, the republics of Kalmykia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, Ingushetia. In total 2021 cases were recorded, including 59 deaths (mortality was 2.9%) during this period. Cases of CCHF have also been reported in Kazakhstan (annually 10-20 cases, more than 241 in total), Georgia (since 2009 annually 5-20 cases), Tajikistan (10 cases, including 3 fatalities in 2007- 2009), Uzbekistan (7 cases within 2014-2022, including 4 fatalities), and Kyrgyzstan (information about case imported to Kazakhstan in 2019), Greece (only local case in 2008), Bulgaria (since 2008 1-6 cases annually), Spain (since 2016 - 8 cases, including 3 fatalities). Discussion: In recent years first cases of CCHF were recorded in Spain, Greece and Georgia. In the first half of 2022, the epidemic process of CCHF intensified in Georgia (42 cases were recorded). Conclusion: ProMED-RUS reports regarding CCHF in the countries of the former Soviet Union and other countries of WHO/Europe contain relevant and useful information that allows to monitor the epidemiological situation.