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The article presents the results of bioassays investigation by the specialists of the Center for Special Laboratory Diagnostics of Particularly Dangerous and Exotic Infectious Diseases, isolated during 2002–2015, obtained from deceased people suspected for rabies virus infection. Outlined are the main challenges of working with the received samples of biological material from dead people and ways of handling these issues. Put forward are the pressing problems of epizootic and epidemiological bias that require comprehensive solutions on the part of healthcare authorities and the veterinary service of the Russian Federation. Given are the results of the laboratory-diagnostic activities of the Center for Special Laboratory Diagnostics of Particularly Dangerous and Exotic Infectious Diseases, which indicate that the applied methods of isolation and identification of the rabies pathogen allow for efficient and in-time diagnosis of the disease.

Objective of the study is the retrospective evaluation of epidemic cholera manifestations in the Republic of Dagestan in 1994, taking into account VNTR-typing and studies of genome peculiarities in the isolated V. cholerae O1, Biovar El Tor. Materials and methods. Utilized have been the data on the infection rates in different periods of the epidemic. The strains have been investigated using VNTR-analysis and whole genome sequencing. Results and conclusions. Heterogeneity of the agent population has been established on the basis of the circulating VNTR-genotypes. The whole-genome sequencing has revealed the presence of B-subunit allele ctxB1 in CTXφ prophage of El Tor V. cholerae O1 strains. The strains isolated in the early and the following stages of epidemic development have been found to be closely related to strains from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Some strains possessed a cluster of multiple antibiotic resistance genes, SXTET: floR, strA, strB, sul2 – of “Indian” type – SXT-ICE-Ind, as well as ICE mobile elements, containing determinants of resistance to antibiotics of tetracycline group – tetA. Phylogenetic relatedness of the Dagestan strains to the strains from Asia indicates to the origin of the strains, as well as to the independent cholera importations that took place at different stages of the epidemic. The role of genetically altered V. cholerae O1 El Tor variants with identified peculiarities on molecular-genetic level, as a system-forming factor in the emergence and development of epidemic in the Dagestan Republic, was directly linked to the social conditions.

The paper provides scientific substantiation for the deployment of auxiliary forces and facilities for the provision of sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population under mass events with international participation. Identified are the tasks and key areas of the specialized anti-epidemic teams (SAET) of the Rospotrebnadzor activities during the preparation and carrying out of the XXVII World Summer Universiade in Kazan. Reviewed are the aspects of inter-agency cooperation between the network structures and mobile units of sanitary-epidemiological and medical-preventive bias during Universiade, 2013.

Considered is present-day nomenclature of menaces in the sphere of biological safety in the frames of broad-sense representation of this concept associated with infectious diseases. By the example of Ebola fever epidemic in West Africa, demonstrated is the fact that actual, new and spreading in the new territories infectious diseases which are attributed to the category of acute menaces, can create emergency situation in the sphere of biological safety. Such situation presents traits of unexpectedness, explosive growth of morbidity, high number of cases among health workers, high lethality, unpreparedness of the society for countermeasures (monitoring, treatment, prophylaxis, and control), severe social and economical consequences, indirect signs of probability of its intended origin, real menace for biological safety of the whole global community. Presented are variants of menaces that manifested as long-lasting (chronic) epidemics and pandemics (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria) which have the highest social and economical impact. Considered is nomenclature of menaces that broaden the toolkit of biological terrorism means. The strategy of countermeasures implies systemic approach to prevention and response to acute menaces, reducing of social and economical consequences of their realization, thus achieving more effective control over aforementioned long-lasting problems, strict adherence to BTWC provisions.

Put forward is a methodology for quantitative assessment of potential epidemic hazard (PEH) as regards mass events with international participation in terms of the relevant infectious diseases capable of (in compliance with IHR, 2005) inducing emergency situation of sanitary epidemiological character. It is established that PEH is an aggregate risk of infection importation by incoming contestants and visitors and of its dissemination across the mass even location. As a result of PEH level differentiation identified have been four following grades: high, medium, low and minimum. Calculated has been a rate of PEH for the XXVI Worldwide Summer Universiade in Kazan, 2013, exemplified by such infectious disease as cholera.

The paper discusses epidemiological environment of particular countries and parts of the world viewed as potential platforms for mass events with international participation. It is established that the most unfavorable in this respect are Asian countries, primarily South-Eastern Asia ones, and African ones, from where the majority of well-known pandemics and epidemics have originated. Specified are the factors which are significant for spread of infectious diseases that can trigger emergency situation of sanitary epidemiological character of international concern. They are tourism and migration, trade and economic affairs, natural and anthropogenic disasters. The concept - “potential epidemic hazard of mass events with international participation” - is defined. It is demonstrated that its structure comprises two levels: the natural background of endemic and imported as related to mass event region epidemiological hazards, and epidemiological hazards imposed by the event itself. Outlined is a step-by-step algorithm for assessment of “potential epidemic hazard” of mass events with international participation allowing for adjustment of measures for the provision of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.

The paper contains the data on the management of work of the specialized anti-epidemic team (SAET) of the Stavropol Anti-Plague Institute during the XXII Olympic and XI Paralympic Winter Games (2014) in Sochi. Reviewed are the issues of SAET’s preparedness provision: staffing of the team, facility equipping, fitting with diagnostic preparations, professional training and development in view of the mass event mission - participation in interagency exercises, educational courses, seminars, and response drills. For the first time ever, SAET’s reinforced personnel comprised 60 specialists from research institutions and some other Rospotrebnadzor Organization. Provided was preparedness to perform laboratory diagnostics and indicate the agents of 82 nosological forms, including exotic ones. The team conducted investigations at the premises of the two facilities and bacteriological laboratory mounted on the trucks.

Objective of the study is to analyze the influence of vaccination against hepatitis A on the corresponding morbidity rates in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).Materials and methods: statistical data contained in the statutory forms of the State statistical reporting on infectious diseases and preventive vaccination against hepatitis A in Yakutia, dated 1992 to 2015.Results and conclusions. Following selective immunization of high-risk groups, performed during the last 14 years in the Republic of Sakha, the incidence of hepatitis A has decreased by 38 times. According to the results of 2015, registered were 15 cases of infection, the rate being 1.6 per 100 thousand of the population, which was below the national average by 2.8 times. Assessment of the long-term dynamics has demonstrated the impact of preventive vaccination on the epidemic process of hepatitis A. Morbidity rates fall down with the increment of the numbers of immunized persons. Effect of the vaccination among the age group of 7 to 14 years is especially strong.

New area of biological studies that goes under general name of “synthetic biology” is a next step in the development of gene engineering associated with design and construction of unique biological systems with “preset” functions and properties, having no natural analogues. Nowadays synthetic biology is a source of innovations that offer solution to a number of global problems facing the humanity, including production of artificial genome-based multi-diagnostic panels, medicinal preparations, synthetic vaccine, etc. The process of unnatural life form creation requires conduction of monitoring both on the international and national scales using advanced system of biological risk assessment.

Described is SAET concept development, beginning from the point of the establishment in 1963 till present moment. Outlined is the fact that SAETs formation, as derivatives of anti-plague institutions, naturally followed from the historical experience in the sphere of public health provision obtained both in the times of war conflicts and peace-time emergency situations (ES) relief. By the specific examples of SAETs participation in liquidation of ES of sanitary-epidemiological character explored is the process of SAET concept development, and governing principles of its functioning. It is demonstrated that the driving force of SAET framework evolution, providing for changes in functional-structural organization and technical facilities through all the stages in time, has been emerging biological threats. Therewith, SAET concept has been developed based on the analysis of the best practices of deployment and integration of advanced technologies and science achievements. An account has been given of modernization of SAET physical facilities and technological base during 2007-2010. Discussed are the SAETs main areas of activities, functions, and tactics of deployment in the modern period. Put forward are the recent changes in SAET concept evolution and tactics of deployment that are occasioned by the incurrence of new operation line - provision of sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population at mass gatherings with international participation.

Abnormal rainfall flood in the Amur-River region, July-September, 2013, set the scene for aggravation of epidemiological situation on diarrheal diseases, as well as droplet spread infections, and natural-focal infections and diseases, common for both humans and animals. To stabilize the situation in flooded areas of three territorial entities in the Far East region involved were SAETs of the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute: SAET 1 (the Amur region) and SAET 2 (the Khabarovsk Territory and Jewish Autonomous Region). Within the frames of Rospotrebnadzor Decree implementation SAET 1 was transported to the Amur Region by means of airlift. Mobile unit performed its operations independently, in an autonomous mode. Laboratory facilities were set up on the base of pneumo-framed modules. The aim of the SAET consisted in carrying out a complex of measures related to sanitary-hygienic and epidemiological monitoring in the territory of the municipal entities devastated by floods. SAET 1 completed its mission successfully.

Complex analysis of the data concerning epidemiological situation on HFRS in the Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region for the past decade (2003-2012) previous to high water in 2013 and results of operative epidemiological inspection of the flooding area and the adjoining territory where a high index of laboratory evidences of the virus presence in the main carriers was revealed, outlines high probability of the epidemiological condition complications in view of the infection in the post-flooding period in 2013-2014 in the both entities. Therewith on the basis of the unfavorable prognosis for the epidemiological situation development a Plan of organizational, preventive and anti-epidemic measures directed to minimization of risks related to aggravation of epidemiological situation on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome has been developed and is being implemented.

Hydrological natural disasters and post-flooding epidemiological situation are often attended by epidemic emergencies creating a threat to life-comforts sustaining and sanitary-epidemiologic welfare of a significant number of citizens. To evaluate the efficiency of preventive and anti-epidemic measures the analysis of acute enteric infection incidence rate in the Amur Region for the past decade, during the high water and in the post-flooding period in 2013 has been carried out. Displayed are the data concerning the prophylaxis of acute enteric infections and viral hepatitis A under the conditions of the emergency situation caused by natural calamities notably by flood in the Amur Region. Adequate planning and operative implementation of organizational, preventive and anti-epidemic measures have made it possible to control acute enteric and viral hepatitis A infection at the sporadic level.

It is supposed that after exposure to impacts of the large-scale high water on the background of chronic persistent stress, immune activity of the organism is decreased, which may lead to sanitary-epidemiological implications and contribute to morbidity rate increment as regards a number of relevant nosological entities among the population of the devastated territory. Statistically community-acquired pneumonias are still one of the key factors for infectious morbidity, hospitalization and mortality rate in the region. They are indicators for organization of medical assistance to the population. Therewith, evaluated has been morbidity rate in reference to acute respiratory viral infections and community-acquired pneumonias in the Amur Region for the past three years, assessed has been epidemiological situation throughout 2013. Morbidity rate as regards community-acquired pneumonias in the Amur Region over the surveyed period (2010-2013) has turned out to be two times higher than the national one, and 60-70 % - than that throughout the Far Eastern Federal district. In order to avoid distribution of the acute respiratory viral infections, flue, and community-acquired pneumonias and epidemic foci formation in the territory of the Amur Region in the post-flooding period, established is a complex of sanitary-anti-epidemic (prophylactic) and remedial measures. Besides of that, identified are the main areas of activities aimed at stabilization of the situation as a long term strategy.

The paper contains the data on the role of high waters (2013) in changing epidemiological situation on enterovirus infections in the Khabarovsk Territory. The incidence rate in the region was characterized by the significant increase even before the flood, 2013. Thus, two peaks of enterovirus morbidity curve were identified for the period of a week: one - more intensive, another - coincident with flood outbreak. Enterovirus epidemiological process was notified by the changes in clinical picture among the infected population and cohort age-related structure. The percentage of the patients with enterovirus infections in the foci clusters and the index of people infected due to possible exposure to shattering impact of the flood, turned out to be low. However, revealed was high rate of heterogeneity of the circulating enterovirus strains, non-specific for the Khabarovsk territory and mostly originating from countries of Asia-Pacific region - coxsackie A viruses, which might stand for a possible cause of unfavorable epidemiological situation in 2013.

Taking into consideration emergency conditions of rainfall flooding in the Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region in August-September 2013, forming premises for aggravation of the epidemiological situation a decision was made to deploy a laboratory-epidemiological SAET reinforcement unit No. 2 (SAET-2) from Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute into the exposed area. SAET-2 staff was step-by-step relocated to the site of emergency to participate in the inspectional operations. Withdrawal of specialists was also performed on a stage-by-stage basis as the work advanced. For the first time ever SAET was established right at the natural disaster site and recruited from experts who are on regular SAET-2 staff of the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute, and from personnel reserve of the Rospotrebnadzor institutions in the Khabarovsk Territory. Complex approach, applied for the management of its work, allowed for alliance of forces and facilities of various Rospotrebnadzor territorial establishments, Rosselkhoznadzor and veterinary medicine institutions into the uniform mobile specialized brigade avoiding overlap of responsibilities and interference into day-to-day operational activities of Rospotrebnadzor territorial institutions. SAET-2 was to implement a complex of measures for sanitary-hygienic and epidemiological surveillance over the municipal territories suffered from flood. Team operational activities were carried out on the basis of stationary laboratories at the territorial establishments of Rospotrebnadzor in the Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region that were converted for working under emergency conditions mode. The mobile brigade has performed the tasks successfully. It has provided sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population under emergency conditions of rainfall flood.

There has been observed a tendency to increment of enterovirus morbidity rate over the past seven years. Foci of this infection have been formed in the area from time to time, with minor forms of the disease being predominant in clinical findings. Genetically enteroviruses circulating in the Amur Region have been characterized as homogenous; however there is a genetic relation among them with and, consequently, epidemiologic connection to enteroviruses originated from China. However, since May, 2013 there has been detected a boost activation of epidemic process as regards enteroviral infection, followed by the formation of two major foci with clustered infection, due to importation from Thailand as well. Emergency situation under conditions of flood (August-September, 2013) has contributed to aggravation of epidemiological situation on enteroviral infection. It has led to the increase in numbers of the exposed up to the maximum level for the past few years. In the territory of the temporal accommodation sites, where affected by high water and exposed to the infection population was placed, registered have been the cases of clustered enterovirus infection.

Long-term manifestations of epidemiological process of enterovirus infection in the Jewish Autonomous Region were similar to those in the Khabarovsk Territory, though with a lower intensity. After establishment of emergency situation regime, in view of the rainfall flooding in 2013, enterovirus morbidity rate had been increasing within three weeks duration, then started to fall rapidly. Clustered cases of enterovirus infection were not registered. Viral serous meningitis ratio was insignificant as minor forms of the disease prevailed; coxsackie virus A-9 and echovirus-6 dominated. During the flood period isolated from samples of patients with minor forms of enteroviral disease were three enterovirus strains, type 71, sub-genotype C4a, possessing a high degree of genetic similarity to the Chinese ones, 2010-2011. All in all impact of the natural disaster on the epidemiological situation on enteroviral infection in the Jewish Autonomous Region turned to be insignificant.

Carried out has been retrospective analysis of epidemiological process manifestations as regards enteroviral infection in the Khabarovsk Region over the period of 7 years, prior to rainfall floods in 2013. Revealed is the possibility of aggravation of epidemiological situation during hydrological emergency situation. The premises are as follows: persistent due to specific climate conditions prevalent in the Khabarovsk Territory (high air and surface water temperatures, and high humidity rates) unfavorable epidemiological situation on enteroviral infections, virus-carriage in “healthy” people and extensive dissemination of enteroviruses in the water bodies of ambient environment. Moreover, widespread circulation of different enterovirus genotypes, including the isolates with high genetic similarity to the strains identified earlier in the adjoining People’s Republic of China, takes place.

Considerable aggravation of sanitary-hygienic situation forming the basis for occurrence of mass infectious disease outbreaks is observed when immense territories are water logged, and water supply systems are destructed. Therewith in order to provide control over the spread of acute enteric water-borne infections in the Jewish Autonomous Region investigated was the morbidity both in the last decade and after the flood period in 2013. The system of organizational and preventive actions included inspection of water intake constructions, zones of sanitary protection of water fences; laboratory control over the drinking water quality; organization of the homesteads patrolling for early detection of infectious diseases; monitoring of the infectious and parasitic diseases incidence rate; management of the vaccine prophylaxis; inspection of solid household waste storage sites and other epidemically significant objects in the flooded area; determination of necessary disinfectant quantity; provision of the population with information concerning implementation of the post-flood prophylactic measures. The actions undertaken permitted to get the epidemic situation on acute enteric infections including the water-dependent ones under control.

Specified are the priority areas as regards anti-epidemic activities relevant to the carrying out of the event itself. Characterized are the factors that require participation of auxiliary force for straightening of laboratory control within the frames of epidemiological surveillance. Justified is the involvement of mobile specialized anti-epidemic teams (SAET) with a view to provision of laboratory control over ambient environment objects for the presence of PBA of the I–II groups of pathogenicity. Discussed is the tactics of SAET mobilization for the provision of mass event support. Outlined is the necessity of application of the state-of-the-art methods for express- and rapid diagnostics within the frames of laboratory support as concerns monitoring activities in the course of the Summit as such.

Established are the basic principles of sanitary-epidemiological welfare provision in the preparations to and managing of the public event by the example of “G-20” Summit. Outlined is the significance and essentiality of epidemiological risk assessment. Specified are the areas of priority as regards anti-epidemic activities in the run-up period. Established is the priority of epidemiological surveillance and laboratory control over the places of residence of participants, caterers and supplying companies, and public catering facilities.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) ranges among the most widely spread emerging infectious diseases both in the Russian Federation and around the world. It is one of the main factors contributing to morbidity and mortality among the population. Adult cohort suffers from community-acquired pneumonia to the highest degree. Lethal cases are often registered in the active working age. According to the statistics morbidity rate for CAP in Russia reaches 14–15 %, while actual value is significantly higher, than the one under record. Total number is approximately 1,5 million cases per year. Base number of infections is accounted for bacterial pneumonia. However considerable part of it is caused by other microorganisms, including viruses. Up-to-date community-acquired pneumonia is of a great epidemiological and clinical value, and development of epidemiological surveillance system is an urging issue, that might allow for elaboration of the methodology for carrying out proper monitoring and preventive measures.

Described is cholera epidemiological situation in the world and in the Russian Federation. One of the causes of its deterioration is pointed out to be the emergence, in the modern period, of altered Vibrio cholerae eltor variants with increased virulence, which displaced typical strains in many countries of Asia and Africa. Described are licensed oral cholera vaccines and their prophylactic efficiency. Considered is the WHO strategy in regard with oral cholera vaccines application in emergencies of different character. The prospects of new generation vaccines development are presented.