DISTRIBUTION OF IXODES RICINUS AS A VECTOR OF TICK-BORNE BORRELIOSIS PATHOGENS IN THE KURSK REGION

Abstract

The article discusses some characteristics of the ecology of the tick Ixodes ricinus,
 which is often found in the central part of Eastern Europe and in many regions
 of the Russian Federation including the Kursk Region. Some circulation patterns
 of tick-borne borreliosis in natural foci of the Kursk Region and cases of infected
 humans are shown. The main material was the data from the state reports of the
 Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human WellBeing for 2015–2021. A comparative analysis was conducted of the number of cases
 infected with ixodid tick-borne borreliosis (ITBB) with the I. ricinus infection rate
 in natural foci in the Kursk Region from 2015 to 2021. The ITBB circulation is
 widespread throughout the Kursk Region. According to our observations, the peaks
 of infection of humans with ITBB may depend on the circulation characteristics of
 Borrelia among I. ricinus and their feeders. In the results of the study, it can be noted
 that the I. ricinus population has a temporary downward trend, while the percentage
 of infected ticks fluctuates slightly and has a cyclic nature. The number of cases of
 people presenting tick bites is interrelated with the population density and the nature
 of ixodid ticks spreading in the Kursk Region.