Epizootic and epidemiological situation of hemorrhagic ever with renal syndrome in the Rostov region (2020–2022)

Abstract

Objective: evaluation of the epizootic and epidemiological situation for HFRS in the Rostov region. Materials and methods: from 2020 to 2022, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to study the presence of hantavirus antigens in samples of small mammals and class G immunoglobulins in the blood sera of healthy donors. Results: epizootological monitoring conducted in 35 administrative districts of the region and in the vicinity of Rostov-on-Don (2157 animals, 15 species) revealed the circulation of hantaviruses in populations of small mammals. Infection with hantaviruses of six species of mammals was registered: house mouse, common vole, yellow-bellied mouse, European forest mouse, East European vole, small forest mouse. 1062 blood samples from residents of various regions of the region were tested. Class G antibodies to hantaviruses were detected in 7.0%, 4.5%, 7.1% in different years. Conclusions: the coincidence in the territories of Azovsky, Kamensky, Neklinovsky, Salsky, Morozovsky districts of positive findings of the hantavirus antigen in samples of small mammals and seropositive samples of donors suggests the presence of a natural focus of HFRS, the establishment of boundaries and activity of which needs further research.