Characteristics of brucellosis foci in the Republic of Tatarstan in 2023–2024

The relevance of the problem is due to the complex epidemiological situation with brucellosis in the Russian Federation. Since 2023, foci of animal brucellosis with cases of human disease have been registered in the previously brucellosis-free territory of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT). Objective. Analysis of brucellosis outbreaks that occurred in the RT in 2023–2024.

Materials and methods. The article presents the results of the epizootic and epidemiological investigation of brucellosis foci. The data from form 2 of the federal statistical observation “Information on infectious and parasitic diseases” in the Republic of Tatarstan for 2023 and 2024 and the data from the epizootological and epidemiological survey cards of the zoonotic disease outbreak were used.

Results. Since August 2023, a number of peasant farms (PF) and private households have begun to register repeated cases of abortions and stillbirths in cows; Brucella abortus was isolated from the biological material of the animals. During 2023–2024, 32 cases of occupational infection with brucellosis of people were recorded, which occurred as a result of direct contact of people with sick animals or contact with objects of the complex, tools, veterinary instruments contaminated with brucellae. The infection was facilitated by gross violations in terms of labor protection of workers, including failure to comply with working conditions and personal protective measures. The share of animals affected by brucellosis in large farms amounted to 19.6–21.2 % of the number of those examined in the foci, people – 12–36 % of the established number of contacts. Supervisory measures were initiated, including strengthening veterinary and sanitary control, conducting preventive visits of specialists to peasant farms that fall into the category of extremely high and high risk, conducting preventive examinations with serological testing for brucellosis of workers of all peasant farms in the republic, development and approval by the Government of the Republic of the Comprehensive Action Plan for the Prevention of Brucellosis for 2024–2028.

Conclusion. During 2023–2024, a deterioration in the epidemiological situation for brucellosis was noted in the Republic of Tatarstan. Infection of animals and people was facilitated by violations of sanitary and veterinary standards, sanitary and hygienic rules and safety precautions in the workplace. For the timely detection of occupational diseases, it is important to conduct regular medical examinations with serological testing of persons whose professional activities involve working with animals. Three-fold examination of contacts in foci significantly increases the effectiveness of diagnostic measures.

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