Trichinosis in the Ural Federal District of Russia: Epizootiological Aspects of the Issue

Abstract

Summary. Introduction: The urgency of the problem of trichinosis in the Ural Federal District is determined by diversity of animal species, both intermediate and final hosts of Trichinella, and adverse effects of anthropogenic factors on the epizootic situation. The purpose of the study was to generalize and analyze long-term monitoring data on the species structure of Trichinella hosts, the level of infestation, and the intensity of invasion in wild and domestic mammals in various invasion reservoirs. We analyzed information about complex ecological interactions in the foci, environmental and geographical features and their role in the pathogen circulation. Our findings can serve as the basis for epizootiological monitoring in constituent entities of the Ural Federal District and elaboration of preventive measures. Materials and methods: We reviewed literary sources on the topic published since the late 1960s, analyzed information bulletins of the Federal Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance and the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) reporting trichinellosis rates and preventive actions as well as publications of the same body on epizootiological characteristics of trichinosis, and information issued by regional offices of veterinary medicine and the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor). The analytical method and the comparative historical research method were applied. Results: We established the relevance of the problem of trichinosis in the Ural Federal District. The natural reservoir of Trichinella in the area is provided by a detachment of carnivorous mammals (Carnivora) of the bear (Ursidae), canine (Canidae), mustel (Mustelidae), and feline (Felidae) families. Natural reservoirs with varying degrees of extensiveness and intensity of invasion in wild animals determine danger of transition of invasion into the synanthropic environment with the formation of local foci. The presence of foci at risk of infection depends on the frequency of contact with the invasive onset. In view of local synanthropic and natural diffuse foci found in different parts of the Ural Federal District, adverse anthropogenic impacts, and complicated socio-economic problems, the need for epidemiological monitoring (both epidemiological and epizootiological observations) of biocenotic components of the territories acquires special importance and requires constant attention of responsible governmental services to the epizootic and epidemiological situation.