Epizootologic Potential of Certain Natural Foci Infections in Northeastern Armenia

Authors

  • Arsen Manucharyan Laboratory of Epizootology, Ectoparasitology and Entomology, RA MOH, NCDCP SNCO, Reference Laboratory Center branch, Yerevan, Armenia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v10i1.8885

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to analyze the epizootic potential of four areas of Tavush Marz.

Introduction

Tavush Marz, in northeastern Armenia, occupies 9,1% of its territory. In recent years in this area either no surveys were conducted or they were incomplete. Tavush Marz is a tourism center as well as a border Marz with strategic importance. The presence of tularemia was first confirmed in 1949 in Noyemberyan. Natural foci of tularemia are located in forest zones where Sylvemus uralensis and its flea vectors are the source of infection.

Methods

Tavush Marz, in northeastern Armenia, occupies 9,1% of its territory. In recent years in this area either no surveys were conducted or they were incomplete. Tavush Marz is a tourism center as well as a border Marz with strategic importance. The presence of tularemia was first confirmed in 1949 in Noyemberyan. Natural foci of tularemia are located in forest zones where Sylvemus uralensis and its flea vectors are the source of infection.

Results

The first detection of the Aedes albopictus species of Culicoidea subfamily in Armenia was on the border between Noyemberyan and Georgia in 2016; this is a vector of especially dangerous infections and arboviruses. The presence of the mosquito was confirmed in 2017 and it makes up 13.5% of the mosquitoes collected in the northeast. It is capable of transmitting the chikungunya, Dengue, and West Nile viruses. Since the end of 2015, we have recorded a significant increase in carriers and vectors, mainly S. uralensis, Microtus socialis, and ectoparasites specific to them. In October 2016 six cases of infection with tularemia were recorded in the village of Tsakhkavan in Tavush region and in Bagratashen Village of Noyemberyan region in 2017.

Conclusions

Analysis of the density of rodents and vectors, as well as their typical ectoparasites leads us to conclude that there are favorable conditions for the spread of not only tularemia but also other natural foci infections and that a comprehensive and regular epizootological survey is required to control this situation.

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Published

2018-05-22

How to Cite

Manucharyan, A. (2018). Epizootologic Potential of Certain Natural Foci Infections in Northeastern Armenia. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v10i1.8885

Issue

Section

Public/ Population Health Surveillance Practice