Review of the epizootic situation of leptospirosis in the Russian Federation from 2013 through 2023

Abstract

One of the most common natural focal diseases in Russia is leptospirosis. Economic losses from leptospirosis are caused by high mortality, decreased productivity and reproductive function of animals. The research goal was to review the epizootic situation regarding animal leptospirosis in the Russian Federation from 2013 through 2023. The epizootic situation of leptospirosis in the Russian Federation is characterized as endemic. The long-term trend of disadvantage in cattle and pigs regarding leptospirosis is evaluated as an “ascending” one, and regarding the incidence - “descending”. Among farm animals, leptospirosis is often revealed in cattle and horses. In the Volga Federal District in 2013, 2017 and 2019, the maximum number of animals with leptospirosis was reported which amounted to 900, 302 and 337 animals respectively. In 2013, 32 localities of concern were reported in the Volga Federal District and 29 localities in 2014. Increased number of localities of concern was also reported in 2018 and 2021 which were 16 and 13, respectively. During the analyzed period, the largest number of localities of concern was reported in 2013 in the Saratov Region - 17. In terms of incidence, a downward trend was revealed with fluctuations - increased number of diseased animals of more than 100 animals in the Perm Region and Samara Region. In the Nizhny Novgorod and Saratov Regions, 132 and 160 cases of animal leptospirosis were revealed. The tense epizootic situation of animal leptospirosis in the Russian Federation indicates that it is necessary to regularly monitor the natural foci, and pay special attention to the protection of water bodies from pollution, immunoprophylaxis of animals and deratization measures in livestock enterprises.