A new formula for the calculation of the endemicity index of the territory affected by hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) based on empiric data collected in the Volga region near Saratov in 1982-2000 is proposed. As found in this research 21% of the administrative districts of the region have a high endemicity level (with the average index for several years reaching 35 points), 8% of the districts have a medium enemicity level (20 points) and 71% of the districts--a low endemicity level (9 points). It is pointed out that under conditions of financial constraints territories with high and medium endemicity levels should be first examined for HFRS; these territories should also be given priority in prophylactic deratization in the field and human settlements.
Hemorrhagic fever with the renal syndrome (HFRS) is a typical natural-and-focal virus infection having military-and-epidemiological importance for Armed Forces of most countries. Severe forms of this infection are typical for the Far East of Russia, countries of South-East Asia and especially for the American continent. The lethality from HFRS amounts to 15-50%. The main natural carriers and keepers of HFRS stimulus are various mouse-type rodents. In Russia besides well-studied natural focuses on the Far East, Siberia, Ural, Povolge other active HFRS focuses were determined not long ago (Moscow, Orel, Lipetsk, Tula and Voronezh regions, the territory of Big Sochi). A man is infected by an aerosol, forming during drying up of rodents' urine, feces, saliva containing HFRS virus. Vaccinal prevention of HFRS in Russia hasn't yet been worked out. Ribavirin is the most effective in the treatment for HFRS. The means of prevention of population and servicemen must exclude their contact with rodents both in natural conditions and in populated areas.
The brief retrospective analysis of morbidity, epizootological data and preventive measures with respect to haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) during the whole period of its registration on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan along with the structure of HFRS morbidity during epidemic seasons of 1998 and 1999 is presented. The main causes of decreased HFRS morbidity in 1998, its rise in 1999 as well as prognosis for the year 2000 were detected. The level of HFRS morbidity among the population was found to be directly related to the number of rodents and their infection rate. The basic strategy of epidemic control interventions has been proposed.
