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Publications, directive and instructionalmethodical papers of WHO, Government and Ministry of Public Health of Russian Federation prepared due to SARS epidemics are reviewed. A brief characteristics of the new disease is represented, the history of the virus discovery, the disease dynamics and SARS dissemination in the world in 2003 are described. Information about SARS suspected cases in Russia and main data on laboratory and clinical epidemiological diagnostics are represented. Measures undertaken for the new disease control are considered in the concluding part of the review. Peculiarities of Siberia and Far East (the region closely connected with the most SARS affected Asian countries) are marked.

Study materials of a new disease epidemic, symbolically named as a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), emerged in the late 2002 at south China are reviewed. The significance of the first patients as the major sources of the infection around which plural foci were formed is shown. Infections happened in hotels, hospitals, multistory dwelling houses and in places of mass crowds. Medical workers are attributed to a group of high infection risk. The role of high-speed transport means in the disease dissemination to short and long distances is established. This infection was imported to 32 countries on five continents, but the secondary epidemic complications occurred only in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and Canada. Global SARS dissemination requires international collaboration and coordination of this infection surveillance system.

Objective - development of the unified interdepartmental approach to realization of complex epidemiological and epizootiological inspection of anthrax burials and animal refuses (AB/AR) with law compliance of standard requirements of the administrative, veterinary and sanitary-and-epidemiological legislation for solving the problems of expert estimation of object’s biological hazard, sanitary-protective zoning and rational land tenure. Materials and methods. Standard-methodical documentation and literature sources were analyzed, the official data, reference books, inventory registration and statement documents, information materials and the data of Veterinary Institutions, Rospotrebnadzor, Rosselkhoznadzor, municipal formations and other establishments were used. The data of complex epizootiological and epidemiological investigation of 27 AB/AR in five entities of Siberia and Far East over 2013-2017 were summarized. Results and discussion. For the first time the algorithm was unified and the technique of complex epidemiological and epizootiological inspections of anthrax burials (refuses) with known location was developed according to the requirements of veterinary and sanitary-and-epidemiologic rules to aid the specialists of the Rospotrebnadzor and Veterinary Science Institutions. Introduction of complex epizootiological-and-epidemiological inspection of anthrax burials (refuses) taking into account the retrospective and operative epizootiological-and-epidemiological analysis of the situation on anthrax in the Siberian administrative territory, studying of sanitary-veterinary condition of an object in aggregate with the results of laboratory examinations of samples for anthrax will permit to estimate the biological danger of anthrax burials (refuses), to solve problems of its preservation and/or utilization with the subsequent reduction of the areas of sanitary-protective zone of the object and rational land tenure.

Objective: investigation of phylogenetic origin and affinity of Yersinia pestis strains isolated from field material collected during the epizootiologic survey of the Mongolian part of trans-boundary Sailyugem natural plague focus. Materials and methods: MLVA25-typing of 81 Y. pestis strains, including 55 isolates from the Mongolian part of transboundary Sailyugem natural plague focus, collected in 2017-2018 was carried out. The plague agent strains isolated in different years in the natural foci of Northwest Mongolia and Southern Siberia were used as comparison group. Whole genome sequencing was performed for 21 Y. pestis strains subspecies pestis isolated in Mongolia in 2018 and 1988-1990 and in Gorny Altai of the Russian Federation in 2012-2016. SNP-typing was conducted on the basis of whole genomes of Y. pestis strains identified in the current research and also genomes from GenBank international database. Search of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Y. pestis genomes was carried out in two ways: by means of snippy v. 4.3.5 software and using mummer v. 3.1 package and a set of the author’s scripts. Phylogenetic reconstruction was conducted with the help of RAxML method. Results and discussion: Results of MLVA25 typing of Y. pestis subsp. pestis demonstrated that the strains isolated in Mongolian and Russian parts of the Sailyugem and Khuukh-Serkh-Munkh-Khairkhan natural foci belong to one common cluster. SNP-typing placed the studied isolates from the Mongolian and Russian territories into 4. ANT phylogenetic line with high level of reliability which testifies to the genetic similarity of the specified pathogen groups. The data of MLVA- and SNP-typing showed insignificant variability of the plague agent in the territory of the Mongolian part of trans-boundary Sailyugem natural plague focus. On the basis of the conducted research and results of epizootiological monitoring of Russia and Mongolia border territories it is possible to draw a conclusion on gradual wide penetration of Y. pestis subsp. pestis mainly into grey marmot settlements in Southeast Altai from Northwest Mongolia.

Objective of the study was monitoring of epizootic situation in the Mongolian part of the trans-boundary Sailugem natural plague focus through 2018 for optimization of preventive and anti-epidemic activities to decrease the level of risk of human plague cases among the population in the border areas of Mongolia and Russia.Materials and methods. Epizootic survey was conducted across the area of 2668 km2 ; 282 mammals, 261 ectoparasites, including 257 fleas, were tested for plague. All laboratory investigations of the field material were carried out in the mobile laboratory for monitoring and diagnostics, mounted on the platform of KAMAZ. Field samples were subjected to molecular-genetic (PCR) and serological tests. Fresh and mummified pickings of birds of prey, corpses, caught rodents and lagomorphs, fleas collected from corpses, were tested using immune-chromatographic method (ICM) to detect capsular antigen (F1) of plague microbe. PCR and ICM positive samples were investigated applying bacteriological method. In the course of epizootiological survey, GIS-tools were employed. All the results obtained were plotted on electronic maps using QGIS 2.12.3 software package.Results and discussion. The total of 47 Yersinia pestis ssp. pestis strains were isolated from grey marmots and their fleas. Y. pestis DNA was detected in 60 objects. Serological testing showed 60 positive results. Contamination of the caught souslik with plague agent reached 4.5 % (n=22), fresh corpses and picking of predatory birds – 63.4 % (n=41), mummified corpses and leftovers, skeletal remains – 10.0 % (n=140). It was established that in the border territory, adjacent to Russia, an intensive diffused plague epizooty, caused by the agent of the main subspecies, takes place. All epizootic manifestations were revealed at the altitudes of 2400–2800 m above sea level, in densely populated grey marmot settlements. The epizooty was registered in most of the southern macro-slope of Sailugem ridge, throughout 100 km and along the whole Karalakhtu ridge – throughout 30 km. The epizooty area, confirmed by plague agent isolation, amounted to 1207 km2 (45.2 % of the examined territory).

The paper presents the analysis of epidemic activity of natural plague foci around the world, including in CIS and the Russian Federation, over the period of 2000–2018. It was established that in 2010–2018, epidemic manifestations took place in natural plague foci where the main carriers are synanthropic (black, multinippled rats) and commercial (marmots, souslik, ground squirrels) species of rodents. Retaining of low epizootic activity of lowland natural plague foci in the territory of the Russian Federation is observed. In 2018, plague epizooties were detected in the territory of the Gorno-Altai high-mountain and Tuva mountain natural foci, the total coverage area being 2641 km2. 13 strains of the main subspecies and 6 strains of Altaic subspecies of plague microbe were isolated. Demonstrated were the prospects of GIS-technology usage for the enhancement of epidemiological surveillance over plague in Russia. Epizootiological forecast for persisting challenging epidemiological situation in Kosh-Agach district of the Republic of Altai and Mongun-Taiginsky, Ovyursky and Tes-Khemsky Kozhuuns of the Republic of Tuva was substantiated. Recorded was high probability of retention of strained epizootic and epidemiological situation in the south and central parts of the desert zone in the Republic of Kazakhstan, high-mountain areas of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Also conservation of epidemic risks for the territories of the countries in Africa (Republic of Madagascar), South (Peru, Bolivia), and North (USA) America, China, and Mongolia was noted.

Objective of the study – assessment of epizootic and epidemic situation on tularemia in 2018 and forecasting the risk of infection in the territory of the Russian Federation in 2019. Analysis of epidemiological situation was carried out on the basis of the data from monitoring activities performed by the Rospotrebnadzor institutions and the data contained in the reports of the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and Far East, Plague Control Center, Federal Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology, as well as federal statistical survey forms No 5 “Information on preventive vaccination” and No 2 “Information on infectious and parasitic diseases” over the period of January-December 2018 in eight Federal Districts including 85 constituent entities. Given are the retrospective data on tularemia epidemic situation in the territory of the Russian Federation over the past decade. 1944 human tularemia cases were registered in Russia between 2009 and 2018, 1005 out of which occurred during epidemic outbreak in 2013 in Khanty-Manssiysk Autonomous Region. High sporadic and small cluster incidence was mainly observed in the territories of the North-estern and Siberian Federal Districts over the recent years. In 2018, 71 cases of human infection with tularemia agent were reported. Epizootic manifestations of varying degree of intensity were detected in 52 entities of Russia. Against that background, sporadic cases of human infection were registered in 19 regions of the country. For three years epidemic complications expressed to the maximum were observed in the Omsk Region – 18 cases of tularemia infection, and Karelia – 14 cases, respectively. 15 Francisella tularensis cultures were isolated from ambient environment objects in Pskov, Leningrad Regions, Altai Territory, Republics of Altai and Tuva. Conclusions have been drawn in relation to the regions where epidemic complications associated with tularemia are most likely to emerge in 2019.

Aim - аnalysis and evaluation of efficiency of anti-epidemic, preventive actions for decrease of plague infection risk for the population and prevention of this illness export outside the Republic Altai limits. Analysis was performed by the data of practical and research Establishments of Rospotrebnadzor. Due to occurrence of three epidemic plague foci in local population in Gorno-Altai natural focus where the infection source was an Altai marmot, the complex of organizational, anti-epidemic, preventive actions was performed for its localization and liquidation and also minimization of risk of anthropogenous plague distribution in Republic Altai and its exportation from the endemic region. Interaction of the Services and Departments in realization of organizational, anti-epidemic, preventive actions in Kosh-Agach district created the necessary conditions for localization, liquidation of the epidemic plague foci in the shortest terms, prevented the illness distribution by the anthropogenous way and its exportation outside the limits of the enzootic territory.

Objective – to study the current epidemiological risks at plague enzootic frontier territory of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag of Mongolia. Materials and methods. Epidemiological analysis was performed according to the reporting documentation of the National Centre of Zoonotic Infections in Mongolia, results of anonymous questioning of 179 residents of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag of Mongolia, materials of the Department of Health of the Bayan-Ulgy aimag, the Aimag Centre of Zoonotic Infections and the Administration of the Aimag Governor. Results and discussion. Plague was first registered in the Bayan-Ulgy aimag in 1989. The total of 9 patients with plague and 4 lethal outcomes were revealed. In all cases marmots were an infection source, the infection occurred in the process of cutting the carcasses. The majority of the plague patients had bubonic form of plague. All patients were men aged 13 to 34 years. Public inquiry showed that 21,8 % of population considered meat of marmots as a delicacy, 54 % – hunted for the animals, 25,7 % – consumed uncooked organs of marmots as a folk remedy, 19,5 % – participated in cutting of marmot carcasses. Results of the inquiry indicated that a marmot was an object of active hunting for local population. Analysis of epizootic activity of the transboundary Sailugem natural plague focus, modern social and economic conditions in the Bayan-Ulgy aimag has showed that in this territory epidemic risks have shaped and act at present. They can be divided into two groups: epidemic risks capable to cause human sporadic plague cases and epidemic risks leading to anthropozoonotic plague dissemination among the population and exportation of Yersinia pestis beyond the limits of enzootic territories. Effective interaction of anti-epidemic Institutions of Mongolia and Russia and also the Agencies and Institutions of the executive power of all levels permits to counteract these risks.

Objective of the study was to assess the condition of parasitic systems and activity of natural plague foci of the Russian Federation in 2008–2017. Epizooties of varying intensity were registered in East-Caucasian high-mountain, Gorno-Altai high-mountain, Tuva mountain, and Precaspian sandy natural foci. In 2017, plague epizooties were detected in the territory of Kosh-Agach District of the Republic of Altai and Mongun-Taiginsk, Ovyursk and Tes-Khemsky Kozhuuns in the Republic of Tyva, covering the area of 1921 km2. In order to decrease the risk of infection in the territory of Gorno-Altai high-mountain and Tuva mountain natural plague foci in 2017, a set of survey and preventive measures was carried out, providing for epidemiological welfare of the population. Substantiated has been epizootiological forecast for the retention of an adverse epidemiological situation in Gorno-Altai high-mountain and Tuva mountain plague foci in 2018. Increase in the likelihood of finding individually infected animals in Central-Caucasian high-mountain and Precaspian sandy natural plague foci is expected.

Objective – estimation of current epizootic condition of Mongolian part of transboundary Sailugem natural plague focus. Materials and methods. Epizootiological survey was performed for the area of 2335 km2, 277 mammals and 516 ectoparasites were investigated for plague. Results and conclusions. Eight Yersinia pestis subsp. pestis strains were isolated, including 7 strains – from grey marmots (6 – from the remains of meals of predatory birds, 1 from a corpse) and 1 – from long-tailed souslik (corpse). Y. pestis DNA was detected in 52 objects. Serological samples showed 40 positive results. Epizootic manifestations, confirmed by isolation of Y. pestis cultures, detection of plague microbe DNA, and positive serological results, were observed across the area of 1611 km2 covering 69 % of the inspected territory. Epizootic results indicated high infection rate of mass mammal species and first of all grey marmots. The data demonstrated that the extended plague epizooty caused by Y. pestis of the main subspecies occurred in the inspected territory in the carrier settlements. For the first time the circulation of Y. pestis subsp. pestis was registered in the Mongolian part of the transboundary Sailugem focus.

The paper presents the data describing historical aspects of anthrax dissemination in Siberia and Far East. This disease has engrained here and spread throughout the entire Asian part of Russia. The majority of the soil anthrax foci are concentrated in the southern entities of the country. Siberia and Far East regions are characterized by low anthrax incidence rates among the population. This is due to the peculiarities of stock-animal farming and low population density. Historically, the establishment of a significant number of stationary hazardous as regards anthrax areas and soil foci is occasioned by the lack of proper veterinary surveillance and support of preventive activities aimed at the disposal of dead animals. Sporadic occurrence of epizootic complications on anthrax in the same areas indicates the persistence of soil anthrax foci.

7201 stationary hazardous as regards anthrax points (SHAP) and 557 anthrax burial places are registered in Siberia and the Far East. Epizootiological and epidemiological situation for anthrax in the Asian part of the Russian Federation is characterized at present by uneven geographical distribution and predominance of old non-manifested shaps (98.9 %), and epizootic outbreaks with epidemic complications (82.5 %). In the Siberian Far North and four southern areas of the region it remains hazardous. Reduction of livestock population in 1990s lead to agricultural animals morbidity decline, thus morbidity among deers dominated (80.2). Sporadic pattern of the epidemic process was observed. The majority of patients were unvaccinated rural population (97.5 %), males (77.5 %), ablebodied citizens infected during constrained slaughtering (90.5 %). Meat and meat products were main transmission factors (96.4 %). Cutaneous anthrax prevailed. Anthrax outbreak in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District in 2016 outlined the necessity of effective interdepartmental interaction and optimization of normative regulation on disposal of fallen cattle and condition of anthrax burial places.

Objective of the study was a complex pheno- and genotypic investigation of Yersinia pestis I-3595 and Y. pestis I-3596 strains, isolated from marmots that were the source of human infection in 2015. Materials and methods. A comprehensive microbiological, molecular-genetic and mass-spectrometric studying of Y. pestis ssp. pestis strains, isolated from two grey marmots that became a cause of the plague case in Gorno-Altai high-mountain focus in 2015, was performed using up-to-date methods. Results and conclusions. It was established that the studied Y. pestis strains belonged to the main subspecies. Results of plasmid screening, multilocus VNTR-and mass-spectrometric analyses showed that those strains were closely related to Y. pestis variant detected in the focus in 2012 and in 2014, and circulating in Northwest Mongolia and Tuva natural focus.

Objective of the study is to sum-up the results of prophylactic (anti-epidemic) measures associated with elimination of epidemic focus in Kosh-Agach Region of the Republic of Altai in 2016. Materials and methods. Utilized were the data of reporting and source documentation from Altai Plague Control Station, Rospotrebnadzor Administration in the Republic of Altai, RusRAPI “Microbe”, and Irkutsk RAPI. Results and conclusions. It is pointed out that carried out in 2016 complex of organizational, anti-epidemic, and sanitary-prophylactic activities against plague is the importnant stage of rehabilitation of Gorno-Altai high-mountain natural plague focus, the final goal of which is maximally possible decrement of risks of primary human infection with plague, and in case of occurrence of such – performing of prompt response measures on localization and elimination of epidemic focus. It has been substantiated that for epidemic risk minimization in 2017 it is necessary to continue prophylactic vaccination, desinsection and deratization in the areas of predictive epizootic situation aggravation, which is contained in “Complex Action Plan of the Rospotrebnadzor Institutions for Sanitation and Rehabilitation of Gorno-Altai high-mountain natural plague focus in Kosh-Agach Region of the Altai Republic in 2017”. It is also necessary to provide for implementation of the Program on lowering risks of importation from cross-border Sailyugemsky natural focus and spread of plague in the territory of the Russian Federation, within the frames of RF Government Order No 1864-p, dated 05.09.2016.

Relevance. Despite significant advances in modern medicine in the treatment of infectious diseases, the plague has not lost its relevance and is one of the socially significant epidemic threats as a particularly dangerous infection. Every year, there are nearly 2.5 thousand cases of plague in the world, and the mortality rate 7 - 13%. Goal. Analysis of the current epizootic and epidemiological situation of the plague, and to determine the optimal set of preventive measures to ensure epidemiological welfare of population of the Republic of Altai on this particularly dangerous infectious disease. Materials and methods. Used the results of monitoring in 1961 - 2015 years of Gorno-Altai natural foci of plague. For more than 50 years bacteriologically were examined more than 290 thousand. small mammals, more than 1545 thousand fleas, isolated 2435 strains of the plague pathogen. Results. In recent years, the Gorno-Altai foci of plague most active of the 11 natural focis, located in Russia. On the Gorno-Altai territory in 2001 to 2014 isolated 801 strain of the pathogen, in 2015 - 23 strains, including 17 main subspecies. currently in the Gorno-Altai natural foci of plague there is a joint circulation of the two subspecies of the plague microbe: Y. pestis subsp. altaica and Y. pestis subsp. pestis. In September 2014 the first time since the detection foci of plague (1961) recorded the local human case of bubonic plague. in August 2015 identified a new case of the plague Conclusions. Introduction of the plague pathogen main subspecies into the ecosystem of the Gorno-Altaisk natural foci of plague greatly increases the possibility of dangerous epidemiological situation

Analyzed are the data on epizootiological and epidemiological surveillance of tularemia foci, situated in the territory of 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Positive findings, obtained in the process of examination of small mammals, Ixodidae ticks, mosquitoes, and environmental objects, using immunological and molecular-genetic methods; isolated tularemia agent cultures; as well as tularemia incidence rates among the population have made provisions for the assessment of circulation and infection activity in the Regions. In period of 2015, 71 cases of human infection with tularemia have been registered. Given is a brief characteristics of activity of the natural tularemia foci and epidemic situation in the territory of the Russian Federation in 2015. Specified are the regions where preventive vaccination is on a low level. Given is the differentiation of RF territories according to the risk of exposure to tularemia infection for 2016.

Objective of the study is to evaluate the state of parasitic systems and activity of natural plague foci of the Russian Federation in 2015 and to develop epizootiological forecast for 2016. In 2015, plague epizooties were detected in the territory of Gorno-Altaisk high-mountain, Tuva mountain, and Pre-Caspian sandy natural plague foci with a total area amounting to 1573.4 square kilometers. Isolated were 46 strains of plague microbe, including the isolates from rodents and leporines - 18, and from fleas - 28. Substantiated is epizootiological prognosis for sustaining challenging epidemiological situation in Gorno-Altaisk high-mountain and Tuva mountain natural foci in 2016. Demonstrated is the fact that consequently to effective prompt prophylactic measures (field deratization, disinsection) in 2015 decreased epizootic activity of Pre-Caspian sandy focus is observed. Specified is retention of low numbers of carriers and vectors of plague in natural foci of North and North-Western Caspian Sea Region, Pre-Caucasian, Caucasian, and Transbaikal Territories. Identified is upward trend for numbers of the little souslik in Pre-Caspian North-Western steppe, Volga-Ural steppe, Dagestan lowland-piedmont, and Pre-Caspian sandy natural plague foci.

Objective of the study is to characterize the case of human plague in the territory of Gorno-Altaisk high-mountain natural focus in 2015 and to analyze the initiated measures, associated with localization and elimination of epidemic focus. Materials and methods. Utilized are the data contained in reporting and source (primary) documentation of the FGHI “Altai Plague Control Station”, records of the Rospotrebnadzor Administration in the Republic of Altai, and information collected by the FGHI “Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute”. Results and conclusions. Human infection occurred as a result of gray marmot dressing, which was caught in the Elangash River-Valley, against the background of unfavorable epizootic situation, caused by proliferation of the plague agent of main subspecie in the territory of the focus. Clinical material investigations, performed by means of bacteriological and molecular-genetic methods, showed negative findings. Applying serological method within the system of indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT)/antigen neutralization test (ANT), in blood sera, obtained at the time of hospitalization, low-titred specific antibodies to plague microbe (recognized as post-vaccinal ones) were detected. In blood serum sample, obtained 7 days later, identified were high-titer antibodies, which allowed for confirmation of clinical diagnosis - “bubonic plague”. Due to efficient cooperation between Rospotrebnadzor institutions and medical facilities, as well as municipal authorities it was possible to avoid further development of anthropogenic transmission of plague; to localize and eliminate epidemic outbreak of this dangerous infectious disease in Kosh-Agach Region of the Republic of Altai in the shortest possible time.

Some kinds of external migration of the population are considered as a risk factor for occurrence of the epidemic foci of dangerous infectious diseases in Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts of the Russian Federation. The role of tourism and labour transboundary migration in formation of epidemic complications for dangerous infectious diseases is shown. The urgency of threats for the disease importations representing danger to humans including influenza caused by a new virus subtype, measles, cholera, poliomyelitis and Dengue fever etc increases in the given regions.

The data, describing epizootical and epidemical activity of the Gorno-Altai natural plague focus in 2012 - 2016 are shown. The wide dissemination of the major Yersinia pestis subtype in Marmota baibacina’s settlements led to the focus epidemical potential growth and became the reason of epidemical complications in Kosh-Agatch district of the Republic of Altai in 2012 - 2016.

The basic methodical approaches to the organization of trainings of the specialized anti-epidemic teams in the most approximate conditions to real extraordinary event are described. These trainings purpose the support of operative readiness of the mobile formations of Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing to work in an emergency epidemiological area

Based on the reference data on monitoring of natural-focal infections, collected from the institutions of the Federal service for surveillance in the sphere of consumers rights protection and human welfare, estimated are the morbidity rates for natural-focal and zoonotic diseases in Siberia and Far East Region within a period of 9 months, 2013. Established is the scope of laboratory investigations as regards anthrax, brucellosis, tularemia, yersinioses, leptospirosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis, and a number of viral infections. It is determined that high waters in the Amur River region did not have any considerable impact on the epidemiological situation in 2013, however in 2014 epizootic and epidemic complications are expected to take place, for the prevention of which enhanced package plan is being implemented. The situation on tularemia in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District, and brucellosis - in the Republic of Tyva and Trans-Baikal Region is still tense.

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.

Anthrax animal burial sites and potentially hazardous as regards anthrax territories (PHT) of the three municipal entities in the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) were exposed to the Amur River flood (the Amur River basin, river inflows, and near-by territories), the emergency situation in August-September 2013. In order to estimate epizootiological-epidemiological situation on the infection carried out was retrospective analysis of morbidity rates among the population and the livestock animals of the region. Studied were the peculiarities of anthrax spatial distribution and sanitary conditions of PHT and animal burial sites (including anthrax ones). Laboratory investigations of soil and bone samples for the presence of Bacillus anthracis were conducted. Thus based on the results obtained the short-term forecast for epidemiological situation development in the post-flood period was worked out, and a complex of anti-anthrax actions was recommended.

Emergency situation in summer 2013 due to flooding of extensive areas of the Russian Amur-River territories (including residential areas with different level of development of public services and amenities, agricultural land, sites of cattle grazing and stock-keeping) resulted in the increased microbiological, virologic and physical-chemical load upon water reservoir ecosystems. The results of monitoring over water supply sources, quality of drinking water and surface reservoir waters in the devastated territories were analyzed by the specialists from Rospotrebnadzor and specialized anti-epidemic teams No. 1 and 2. Complex approach presuming increase in extent and frequency of the examinations, performance of operative epidemiological analysis along with daily adequation of preventive and anti-epidemic measures allowed for taking control over the situation and to avoid epidemic complications as regards acute water-borne intestinal infections.

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.

Displayed are the major results of work of the specialized anti-epidemic teams from Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute, aimed at the provision for sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population in the Amur Region, Khabarovsk Territory and the Jewish Autonomous Region, devastated by the abnormally high water, in 2013. Represented are the data on sanitary-hygienic and epidemiological monitoring over the territory of the worst-hit areas. Revealed are the findings as regards examination of water samples obtained from the centralized and decentralized water supplies, surface water reservoirs and treatment facilities for presence of Vibrio cholerae , and of clinical material - for intestinal viruses, as well as serological screening of the decreed groups and foreign citizens temporarily working in the Russian Federation. Presented are the results of epizootiological-epidemiological inspection of the endemic areas for natural-focal infections, and also potentially hazardous areas as concerns anthrax, situated within the bonds of the flooded territories. Total of 3626 samples have been tested, 15502 analyses for 23 nosological entities have been performed.

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.

Comprehensively studied have been structural elements of ecosystems of Siberian natural plague foci, as well as levels of integration among epizootic process components, and ways of their functional interaction. Application of the complex approach to the surveillance over structural-functional elements of the parasitic system along with investigations of epizootic process dynamics has provided for identification of peculiarities as regards epizootics development, transformation and evolution of population and carrier/vector coenosis structure in time and space. Revealed is the genetic diversity of plague microbe circulating within the bounds of separate foci and zones of focality. Determined is a long-lasting anti-epidemic effect (more than 20 years) of the field desinsection in the Saglinsk meso-focus of the Tuva natural plague focus.

Objective of the study is to obtain the data on the state of Severokerulensky plague focus in Mongolia, adjacent to the Trans-Baikal steppe focus in the south. A reconnaissance investigation on plague in the territory of Dornod aimak was carried out by efforts of the joint Russian-Mongolian group of specialists. Material samples were tested under extended scheme using bacteriological, biological, serological, and molecular-genetic methods. Negative test results on plague allow for reporting the absence of risks of intensive and extensive epizooty development and agent importation into the territory of Russia. Though it is necessary to continue the survey in the territory of Khentii aimak, where the presence of active plague foci is registered.

Summarized are the results of the work on provision of sanitary and epidemiological well-being during the arrangement and carrying out the APEC Summit on the Russky Island. The set of organizational and prophylactic measures aimed at prevention of potential danger of emergency situation of sanitary and epidemiological character is presented. Measures on provision of epidemiological well-being of the participants and guests of the APEC Summit, based upon interaction of the regional plague-control institutions with anti-epidemic and health services of the Primorsky Region, demonstrated their efficiency. Epidemiological situation on the Russky Island and Vladivostok city was safe. The materials presented can be used to develop a set of measures ensuring the epidemiological well-being during large scale political and economic events holding at the national and international levels.

Analyzed is the incidence rate as regards natural focal infections of bacterial and viral etiology. Displayed is the data on the performed laboratory diagnostics of these infections in the territory of Siberia and Far East in 2012 and forecast of the epidemiological situation development in 2013. Analysis is carried out based on the data received by the Reference Center for surveillance over natural focal infections at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute, from Rospotrebnadzor Institutions of Siberian, Far-Eastern and Ural Federal districts, as well as reviews and prognoses on the current state of natural foci of infections available from Altay, Tuva, Chita, Khabarovsk and Primorsk plague control stations.

In this study the increased number of the imported cases from endemic countries or occurring of the disease in earlier unknown natural leptospirosis foci in the world among participants of various extreme competitions, hostilities and travelers was revealed at analysis of the epidemiological leptospirosis situation. New human risk groups subjected to infection were determined.

The analysis of current regulatory requirements and applicable guidelines, as well as scientific papers, confirmed the existence of the subsystem of the control over epidemiological situation at the potentially hazardous biological facility. This subsystem is an element of the facility biosafety support system. Developed is the set of models which contain schemes of epidemiological situation management in case a sick facility officer is detected whose disease is suspected to be caused by the microorganisms of I-II pathogenicity groups.

Carried out were epizootiological studies of the flooded areas of the Amur Region, the Khabarovsk territory, and the Jewish autonomous region in order to investigate the situation on tularemia in view of the river floods in August-September, 2013. Involved were specialized anti-epidemic teams from Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute for works at the site of emergency. Therewith, analysis of the data of the epizootiological examination of the territories obtained in cooperation with specialists from the Rospotrebnadzor local Centers of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and results of laboratory investigations with application of bacteriological, immu­no­bio­logical and molecular-genetic methods indicated insignificant epizootic and epidemic activity of the natural tularemia foci. Given is the conclusion on epizootiological-epidemiological condition for tularemia in the flooded areas of the Amur River region and a short-term epizootiological forecast for 2013-2014, as well as recommendations concerning stabilization and improvement of epidemiological conditions in the region.

The analysis of clinical-epidemiological features of plague in Mongolia in 1986-2009 demonstrated the decrease of the number of primary pulmonary plague cases, prevalence of bubonic plague, increase of the morbidity in women and children in the last decade. Considering the high epidemiologic potential of foci of the marmot's type, where the marmots are captured illegally by poachers, considerable probability of the bubonic plague being complicated with pneumonia or sepsis, it is necessary to improve plague epidemiologic surveillance in Mongolia.

Plague epidemiological situation in India in XX and at the beginning of XXI century is evaluated. The epidemic process is shown to have wavy interrupted course and is divided into periods of annual intensive epidemics, reduction of epidemic activity and sudden development of acute outbreaks on the background of sporadic morbidity absence. Brief characterization of a pulmonary plague epidemic in India in 1994 and undertaken international sanitary and protective measures by the example of Russian Federation and USA is presented. Local outbreaks of pulmonary and bubonic plague in 2002-2004 give evidence of periodically complicated epidemic situation in India. Trend and volume of measures on sanitary protection of territories are substantiated by development of commercial, economical, tourist communications between India and Russia including Regions of Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts differing by the degree of plague importation risk.

Studied were the peculiarities of interrelations of plague microbe from Hentei natural focus of Mongolia and fleas Citellophilus tesquorum of three geographic populations (Zabaikalskaya and Tuvinskaya from the natural plague foci and Olkhonskaya from plague-free territory. The functional contacts (etiological agent - vector) between the plague microbe and fleas from geographically separated populations from the focal territory were shown to be possible. Plague microbe that circulates in the territory of Hentei natural focus in Mongolia can form the proventriculus block in C. tesquorum from Trans-Baikal and Tuva. The infected insects can transfer the agent to animals that subsequently suffer from generalized infectious process. These data assume the possibility of C. tesquorum-mediated circulation of plague microbe from Mongolia in case of its import to the Trans-Baikal Region and to Tuva.