Abstract
Abstract
Introduction. Pertussis outbreaks among children have been observed in recent years worldwide, despite the successful implementation of vaccination
programs. In the Kyrgyz Republic, an increase in pertussis incidence has
been recorded over the past three years. It was therefore decided to study the
involvement of children in the epidemic process in the country.
Objective of the study. Study of Pertussis Incidence Among Children Under
14 Years of Age by Region in the Kyrgyz Republic, 2014–2024
Materials and methods. To calculate incidence rates per 100,000 population,
data from the national reporting form No. 1 "Report on Infectious and Parasitic Diseases" for the period 2014–2024 were used. Population data for the
Kyrgyz Republic by region were obtained from the sources of the National
Statistical Committee.
Results and discussion. Based on the average annual pertussis incidence
among children under 14 years of age for the period 2014–2024, the territory
of the Kyrgyz Republic can be conditionally divided into three zones: epidemiologically unfavorable – Bishkek city and Chuy region (1560∕0000 and
650∕0000, respectively), medium incidence level – Talas (11,7 0∕0 000) IssykKul (8,00∕0 000), and Naryn (5,50∕0 000) regions, low incidence level – Osh
city (3,10∕0 000), Jalal-Abad (1,90∕0 000), Batken (0,50∕0 000), and Osh
(0,30∕0 000) regions. Over the past ten years, three outbreaks were recorded
in all regions — in 2015, 2018, and 2024 — with incidence rates of 14,80∕0
000, 29,60∕0 000, and 143,50∕0 000, respectively. The most intense was the
latest surge, which is likely associated with an increasing proportion of unimmunized children, waning post-vaccination immunity, and other contributing
factors.
Conclusion. Epidemic heterogeneity, marked by a wide range of average annual incidence rates, necessitates further evaluation of the surveillance system, risk factors, and other determinants at the regional level.
The progressive increase in pertussis incidence during the period 2022–2024
underscores the need to conduct molecular characterization of the pathogen
to assess the concordance between circulating Bordetella pertussis strains
and vaccine strains.
A comparative analysis of age-related susceptibility of children to pertussis
has been conducted, the results of which are presented in the continuation
of this publication entitled: “Analysis of Age-related Susceptibility of Children to Pertussis by Region in the Kyrgyz Republic, 2014–2024.”