Hantavirus Infections: Review of the Epidemiological Situation around the World. Analysis of the Epidemiological Situation on Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome in the Russian Federation in 2023 and Forecast of Its Development for 2024

Abstract

The paper describes the epidemiological situation in the countries of the world in terms of the incidence of Hantavirus diseases. The results of an epidemiological analysis of the incidence of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the Russian Federation in 2023 by federal districts are presented and a forecast for 2024 is made. In 2023, 5 093 cases of HFRS were registered in the Russian Federation (3.47 per 100 thousand population). The incidence was reported in 7 out of 8 federal districts of the country. The age structure was dominated by people in the 30–59 age category (65.7 %); 247 cases of the disease were noted among children under 17 years of age. The proportion of the male population was 70.3 %. 63.2 % of the total number of cases was registered among the urban residents. The mortality rate was at the level of 0.49 % – 25 lethal outcomes. Analysis of the data has revealed a decrease in the incidence of HFRS in Russia by 27.2 % as compared to the previous year. However, the data from epizootiological monitoring and the results of laboratory research of field material indicate a continuing tense situation in the country as a whole. In a number of regions, a high risk of complications of the epidemiological situation is predicted (mainly, in the constituent entities of the Volga and Central Federal Districts). Moderate risks of developing local complications of the epidemiological situation at the level of long-term average morbidity are expected to be realized in the entities of the Northwestern, Ural and Far Eastern Federal Districts. Sporadic cases of the disease in the territory of the Southern Federal District are not excluded. The aggravation of the situation on HFRS in the territory of the North-Caucasian and Siberian Federal Districts is not anticipated in 2024.