Common intestinal infectious diseases in the Republic of Armenia

Abstract

Purpose: The group of common intestinal infectious diseases (dysentery, yersiniosis, acute intestinal infections with unknown etiology, gastroenterocolitis with known etiology, enterovirus and rotavirus infections, nutritional toxicoinfections caused by staphylococci) are very common in the world, particularly in developing countries. The WHO estimates that about two million children worldwide die each year from diseases that cause diarrhea. This study was conducted to reveal the epidemiological situation in Armenia and to come up with the conclusions about the measures against the further development of the spread. Methods & Materials: Data from the National Epidemiological Routine Surveillance of 2005-2015 were analyzed. Questionnaires, interviews, and field observations were used to assess the epidemiological situation and to find out the probable source and transmission routes for the infections. Results: The incidence of common intestinal infectious diseases per 100,000 population from 2005 to 2015 was as follows: 2005: 147.6, 2006: 165.6, 2007: 167.9, 2008: 178.7, 2009: 175.2, 2010: 263.3, 2011: 242.4, 2012: 255.5, 2013: 272.4, 2014: 312.6 and 2015: 407.1. About 80% of the total cases were registered among children, which made up 1663.2 per 100,000 and which was 1.33 times higher than 2014. More than half of the cases were associated with contaminated food and in almost all foodborne cases, the cause of the infection was the incorrect preservation of food and lack of maintaining hygienic and anti-epidemic rules by vendors as well as by the consumers. Conclusion: Sanitary and epidemiological control over food safety must be strengthened. Requirements for food safety should be based on evidence, taking into account relevant standards. The Law of the Republic of Armenia on food safety should be enforced. Awareness-raising programs should be conducted.