Dynamic changes of in incidence of ixodes tick bite cases in adult population of Vinnitsa region, Ukraine

Abstract

Not all ticks carry dangerous pathogens, but their bites can threaten humans with diseases such as Ixodes tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease), Miyamoto disease, tick-borne viral encephalitis and about 150 other nosological entities. The season of life activity of Ixodes ticks begins in March and usually lasts until November and has two pronounced seasonal peaks during the year: over April – May and August – September. The relevance of the investigation is determined by the lack of the information on the incidence of tick bite cases among the population in Ukraine, and there no well elaborated sets of measures in order to prevent this problem. The purpose of this study is to provide a detailed analysis of the incidence of Ixodes tick bite cases among the adult population in the Vinnytsia region and in the city of Vinnytsia, to compare the number of detected cases for the period from 2013 to 2018, and to identify the most reliable and available prevention methods. The research was conducted at the laboratory of the municipal non-profit enterprise "Vinnytsia City Hospital G1" (KNP "VMKL"); statistical data were provided by the State Regional Sanitary and Epidemiological Station. We compared the prevalence of the disease in different districts of the Vinnytsia region and its insidence for the period from 2013 to 2018. During this period, the number of detected cases of tick bites resulted in the occurrence of various dangerous diseases went up from 53 to 317 cases among the entire adult population of the Vinnytsia region. For all years except 2018, the highest incidence rate was consistently observed in the Mogilev-Podilsk district district, even exceeding the level in more densely populated and large areas. Over the period from 2013 to 2018, the number of detected cases of tick bites in the adult population that resulted in various dangerous diseases rapidly and significantly increased. This necessitates to elaborate the set of preventive measures and to educate the population of all ages. Much attention should be paid to promoting vaccination as the only reliable way and the development of sanitary and hygienic recommendations for residents of municipal and rural areas (in the spring and summer).