Optimization of scientifico-practical aspects of West Nile fever causative agent’s monitoring (by the example of the Volgograd region)

Abstract

Objective: to assess the quality and effectiveness of West Nile fever (WNF) causative agent’s monitoring in the Volgograd region and to develop a set of measures to its optimization. Materials and methods: data on the detection of WNV cases, results of serological and zooentomological monitoring in 2009–2021. A comprehensive methodological approach was applied, including statistical and epidemiological methods. Results: based on the assessment of WNF causative agent’s monitoring key aspects in the Volgograd region, it was shown that one of the priority problems is the insufficient and untimely detection of cases among the population. Among the urgent problems of serological monitoring are the lack of a clearly established frequency of serological examination in the population of the region’s administrative territories and the termination of one of the indicator population groups examination, regulated by the current regulatory and methodological documents. An assessment of the parameters of monitoring studies of the external environment indicates an insufficient territorial coverage and a decrease in the volume of studies, primarily in relation to the main carriers of the West Nile virus, which determines the overall low detection rate of West Nile virus markers. Conclusion: recommendations are proposed for optimizing monitoring, which will enhance the efficiency of WNF epidemiological surveillance and develop a scientifically based forecast of the development of the epidemiological situation.