Abstract
Between March 5th and July 25th, 2020, the total number of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) was 10,090, corresponding to a cumulative incidence rate of 285.7/100,000 population. Demographic and clinical information on all the cases along with exposure and contact information were collected using a standardized case report form. In suspected SARS-CoV-2 cases, respiratory specimens were collected and tested by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay. The dynamic of the outbreak was summarized using epidemiological curves, instantaneous reproduction number Rt, and interactive choropleth maps for geographical distribution and spread. The rate of hospitalization was 14.0% (790/5646) in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBH) and 6.2% (267/4299) in the Republic of Srpska (RS). The death rate was 2.2% (122/5646) in FBH and 3.6% in the RS (155/4299). After the authorities lifted mandatory quarantine restrictions, the instantaneous reproduction number increased from 1.13 on May 20th to 1.72 on May 31st. The outbreak concerns both entities, FBH and RS, and it is more pronounced in those aged 20-44 years. It is important to develop the communication and emergency plan for the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in BH, including the mechanisms to allow the ongoing notification and updates at the national level.
Highlights
On March 5th, 2020, the two first probable cases of SARSCoV-2 virus reported to the Institute of Public Health (IPH) of Republika Srpska (RS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) were confirmed positive by real-time reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the University Clinical Center Laboratory of the RS in Banja Luka
The patient was a 76-year-old woman without a travel history subsequently hospitalized for COVID-19 2 days earlier in Bihac, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBH)
Between March 5th and July 25th, 2020, a total of 4299, 5646, and 145 laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases were reported to IPH of the RS, IPH of the FBH, and Department of Public Health of the District Brčko (DB) starting with 5th, 21st, and 27th of March respectively, with estimated infection dates between February 24th and July 13th, 2020 (Figure 1)
Summary
On March 5th, 2020, the two first probable cases of SARSCoV-2 virus reported to the Institute of Public Health (IPH) of Republika Srpska (RS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) were confirmed positive by real-time reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the University Clinical Center Laboratory of the RS in Banja Luka. The cases were a 35-year-old male returning from Italy and his 14-year-old son. Both experienced mild symptoms of cough, fever, and sore throat. The patient was a 76-year-old woman without a travel history subsequently hospitalized for COVID-19 2 days earlier in Bihac, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBH). Enhanced surveillance for COVID-19 cases began on April 25 in the RS and on April 19 in the FBH and revealed many additional cases [1]. This report describes the initial and ongoing SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak in BH for the period from January to July 2020
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