In this study, we report on the full genome phylogenetic analysis of four ASFV isolates obtained from wild boars in Russia. These samples originated from two eastern and two western regions of Russia in 2019. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolates were assigned to genotype II and grouped according to their geographical origins. The two eastern isolates shared 99.99% sequence identity with isolates from China, Poland, Belgium, and Moldova, whereas the western isolates had 99.98% sequence identity with isolates from Lithuania and the original Georgia 2007 isolate. Based on the full genome phylogenies, we identified three single locus targets, MGF-360-10L, MGF-505-9R, and I267L, that yielded the same resolving power as the full genomes. The ease of alignment and a high level of variation make these targets a suitable selection as additional molecular markers in future ASFV phylogenetic practices.

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Thirty-five field rabies virus strains were collected in recent years in different regions of the Russian Federation in order to characterize their genetic heterogeneity and to study their molecular epidemiology. In addition to the Russian viruses, seven archive samples from Estonia and Finland and two Russian vaccine strains were also included in the study. The viruses collected were subjected to two different reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests, the amplicons were sequenced and the sequences were analysed phylogenetically. Among the field viruses studied, two main phylogenetic groups were found and designated as Pan-Eurasian and Caucasian according to their geographic origin. The Pan-Eurasian group, comprising some reference viruses from Europe, was further divided into four subgroups. All of the vaccine strains were clearly different from the field strains. No recombination between the field and vaccine virus strains was observed. The data obtained here show the critical role of geographical isolation and limitation for the genetic clustering and evolution of the rabies virus and also help in predicting its distribution from rabies-affected areas to rabies-free areas.

Notwithstanding the availability of effective vaccines, 40 - 60 thousand rabies cases in humans are reported every year. Almost always the disease is fatal because therapeutic treatment of lyssavirus encephalitis has not been developed. Since 1970 the number of reports on rare cases of convalescence including those using experimental treatment protocols has been gradually increasing 20 cases of convalescence, “partial” convalescence or long-term survival of humans (1970-2015) were selected as they were complaint with laboratory criteria of active lyssavirus infection. Children and teenagers were predominant in the analyzed group (85%). The cases were irregularly spread between the continents: Asia - 6 cases, North America - 6 cases, Africa - 2 cases and Europe - 1 case. India and the USA were on the top of the list of countries by the number of described cases. More than 60% humans were infected from dogs, three cases got infection from bats and 2 cases were allegedly associated with an unknown lyssavirus and an unidentified infection source. 70% cases were vaccinated and 10% cases were treated with gamma globulin before the disease onset. Serological tests for detection of antibodies to lyssaviruses in cerebrospinal fluid of infected humans were typically used for diagnostic laboratory verification. Less than 30% IFA and PCR positives were obtained. Lyssaviruses were never detected. Only 4 convalescent patients were treated using experimental protocols. 80% cases demonstrated severe neurological consequences, four (may be more) patients died afterwards within the period from two months to four years. Different perspectives on prospects of Milwaukee protocol use and other therapeutic techniques are given.

Basic characteristics of African swine fever, being one of the most significant transboundary infections with a devastating potential for pig production, are presented in the paper. It occurred in Georgia for the first time in 2007 and spread among domestic pigs and wild boar in the European part of the Russian Federation. After that, ASF virus was detected in Belarus, Ukraine and since 2014, the disease has been reported in the European countries. Having spread in Europe, African swine fever became an epizooty, caused by ASFV genotype II and exhibiting a deteriorating trend. Modern ASF infected areas in the Russian Federation, Europe, China and Asia are described. Currently the disease is the most serious epidemiological problem due to huge losses (high mortality among susceptible animals); ability to occur and spread in the most unexpected parts of the world and absence of specific prevention tools and means. Russia has developed a high level of expertise in the disease prevention, control and eradication. A scientifically justified set of measures to prevent and eradicate ASF, which has proved its effectiveness in the disease control, was developed and introduced. The core of this set is formed by biosafety assurance along the whole production chain at the establishments of any type of ownership involved into breeding, keeping, slaughter, processing, storage, movement and marketing of live pigs and pig products; by wild boar population control and improvement of waste management approaches. Other ASF infected countries can benefit from the Russian Federation’s experience in ASF control by adapting it to the concrete region with due regard to local social and economic conditions.