Review of the incidence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever for 16 years in 2005-2020 based on ProMED-RUS reports

Abstract

Purpose: The ProMED service in Russian (ProMED-RUS) informs its readers about new infectious diseases in 16 countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU). Among the regions where monitoring is carried out, there are several territories endemic for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF).The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiology of CCHF in the territory of the FSU over the past 16 years based on data from ProMED-RUS. Methods & Materials: We reviewed 289 ProMED-RUS reports on CCHF published in the period from 2005 to 2020 inclusive. The moderators' comments were also taken into account. Results: According to ProMED-RUS, during 2005-2020, cases of CCHF were registered in Russia (Rostov, Stavropol, Volgograd, Astrakhan regions, the Republics of Kalmykia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, Ingushetia), Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. In Russia during this period 1,919 cases of the disease were registered, including 43 deaths (CFR 2.8%).The ProMED-RUS service reported about the cases of CCHF in the South of Kazakhstan (Zhambyl, Kyzylorda and Turkestan regions) since 2008. The largest number of cases (26) registered in 2009. Later, from 6 to 20 cases of the disease with a CFR of 20-30% are registered annually. The ProMED-RUS service first reported 5 cases of CCHF in Tajikistan in 2009, 3 of them were fatal (CFR 60%). Later, there was no information about cases of CCHF in the Russian-language mass media (RLMM).ProMED-RUS first reported cases of CCHF in Georgia in 2009. In 2010-2012, sporadic cases of the disease were registered in this country, and since 2013, more than 10 cases of CCHF are diagnosed annually. In 2020, only 9 cases of CCHF were registered in Georgia, which 1 ended fatally (CFR- 30%).In 2019, ProMED-mail first reported a case of CCHF infection in Kyrgyzstan, imported to Kazakhstan. In 2020, no cases of CCHF were registered in this countryThe ProMED-RUS service first reported 13 cases of CCHF in Uzbekistan in 2013-2015, 10 of them were a fatal, and 2 - in 2017. Conclusion: ProMED-RUS reports on CCHF in the FSU provide up-to-date and useful information that allows to monitor the epidemiological situation in these regions.