Modern Approaches to Reducing the Epidemiological Risk of Hantavirus Infection in the Population on the Example of Certain Territories of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Abstract

Introduction: Current conceptions of the epidemiology of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) interpret the necessity of a selective approach to organizing measures of disease prevention from the standpoint of different epidemiological risks of infection in a particular area. Objective: To develop a differentiated approach to planning and carrying out preventive measures in HFRS endemic areas with different levels of epidemiological risk of infection using the capabilities of geographic information technologies and to test the methodology on an outbreak model in the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2022. Materials and methods: We have analyzed data on 2,993 HFRS cases registered in the Republic in 2022. The main research method was epidemiological. The Deductor Studio Professional analytical platform and ArcGIS geographic information system were used as software. Results: We established that the Ufimsky, Blagoveshchensky, Iglinsky, Tuymazinsky, and Chishminsky administrative district, the cities of Oktyabrsky and Ufa were high risk areas for HFRS. The total recommended area of the territory subject to additional pest control treatments was 4,369 hectares. Conclusions: Identification of local high risk areas for hantavirus infection within the boundaries of individual administrative territories helps improve the efficiency of the infectious disease surveillance on these territories by means of large-scale targeted preventive measures. Prompt implementation of a complex of non-specific preventive measures in areas with a high risk of infection can significantly reduce their potential epidemic danger. Approaches to planning and taking preventive actions using up-to-date geographic information systems and analytical software allows simultaneous visualization and statistical analysis of primary data. Such a combined use of spatial characteristics of the epidemic process and application of analytical methods creates a scientific basis for planning infection control measures.