Клещевой вирусный энцефалит на территории Архангельской области в период пандемии COVID-19

Abstract

Tick-borne viral encephalitis (TBE) is one of the common naturally occurring infections in Russia and epidemiologically significant for the North-Western Federal District, Arkhangelsk Region in particular. The purpose of this article was to assess the epidemiological situation for TBE in the Arkhangelsk Region in 2020–2021 (during the novel coronovirus (COVID-19) pandemic) compared to the 2016–2018 period. Materials and methods. We analysed data (according to the forms of the Federal Statistical Survey) on the TBE incidence rate among the population (including children), age and social structure, clinical forms, and immunization against TBE for the period of 2016–2021 in the endemic areas of the Arkhangelsk Region. Results. A higher TBE incidence was revealed for 2016–2019 compared to 2020–2021 both in Russia and in the Arkhangelsk Region. TBE primarily occurs in the south of the region, but over the years the number of cases in the Arctic areas, especially in the region’s northern towns, has been growing. The Arkhangelsk Region has seen a noticeable increase in the number of people, both adults and children, vaccinated against TBE, which contributes to a decrease in incidence. The study confirmed that the epidemiological situation for TBE still requires active prevention. The restrictions due to COVID-19 contributed to curbing the epidemic processes of infectious diseases, including naturally occurring diseases. At the same time, the scaling-down of preventive measures during the pandemic undoubtedly produced a negative effect on the TBE incidence rate.