EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF RABIES IN DNIPROPETROVSK REGION

Aim. To analyze the epidemiological data on the incidence of rabies among animals and people in the Dnіpropetrovsk region, to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented animal vaccination system, to assess the quality and timeliness of anti-rabies assistance in order to select priority areas in planning, monitoring, forecasting, and carrying out preventive measures in the implementation of the anti-rabies program. Materials and methods. The paper presents data from an analysis of statistical indicators of the State Institution “Dnipropetrovsk OCFDCAP Ministry of Health of Ukraine", Department of Animal Health and Welfare of the Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine of the State Food and Consumer Service, the annual frequency of rabies epizootics and the incidence of rabies among people in the Dnіpropetrovsk region over the past 5-10 years. Also used were regulatory documents (orders, instructions, guidelines on rabies), reviews of literature and scientific articles (including foreign ones). Results. Analysis of rabies epizootic indicators reveals an unfavorable situation with rabies among animals in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which has been observed over the past four years. An analysis of rabies epizootics depending on the animal species found that in the wild, foxes are the most dangerous reservoir of lyssaviruses, and in anthropurgical foci the main danger is cats and dogs. The frequency of registration of rabies among people in Ukraine and the Dnipropetrovsk region over the past 20 years has been sporadic. The highest rates of rabies cases among humans were recorded during the second decade of the current century, with a definite downward trend in recent years. Of the total number of people who sought rabies medical care, 87,94% received a full course of rabies vaccination. Conclusions. The epidemiological situation regarding rabies epizootics in the Dnipropetrovsk region requires the continuation of the wild and domestic animal vaccination program in order to eliminate rabies foci among wild and domestic animals. The implementation of a program of combined anti-rabies care with the simultaneous use of anti-rabies vaccine and anti-rabies immunoglobulin is a positive fact for the medicine of the Dnipropetrovsk region.