Introduction of a dynamic monitoring system for persons with a tick bite in accordance with the incubation period of a possible Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever

Abstract

Purpose: Development and implementation of a dynamic monitoring system for persons with a tick bites for the timely detection identification of high-risk groups among the population, determination of the period of the epidemic season and the boundaries of natural foci of CCHF. Methods & Materials: The authors have developed and introduced into practical health care an electronic program for dynamic monitoring of persons with a tick bites in accordance with the incubation period of possible Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, including the results of 14-day medical observation of them with daily double thermometry, assessment of clinical data, in order to early detection of symptoms of CCHF. Results: Turkestan region is one of the disadvantaged regions in terms of natural focus of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Since 2009, in the southern regions of Kazakhstan, there has been an acute deterioration in the epidemiological situation for CCHF. Tick ​​bites is one of the main epidemiological factors of CCHF infection. The number of people with a tick bites who sought medical help in the region was 4997 in 2013, 4072 in 2015, 4434 in 2017, 3360 in 2018, 2979 in 2019. With the help of the electronic system we developed, during 2020, 1,450 people bitten by a tick were monitored and the first symptoms of CCHF were detected in 3 patients within an hour after the onset of the disease, which made it possible to timely isolate the patient and prescribe treatment. This automated dynamic monitoring system allows you to optimize and facilitate the work of a doctor, an epidemiologist, and makes it possible early treatment of a patient in case of CCHF development. Conclusion: The introduction of this electronic system into the work of primary health care organizations, infectious diseases hospitals is an effective measure for improving the 14-day monitoring of victims of tick bites, which will identify patients in the early stages of the disease, as well as determine the areas subject to preventive disinsection, designate places where ticks are collected by anti-plague stations and, in the aggregate of the measures taken, will lead to a decrease in the incidence of CCHF.