MONITORING OF INFLUENZA AND ARVI INCIDENCE AMONG THE POPULATION OF KIROVOHRAD REGION IN 2014–2023

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of the spread of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). The incidence of influenza and ARVI in the Kirovohrad region of Ukraine for 2014–2023 is analyzed.Topicality.The article highlights the state of influenza and ARVI incidence before the full-scale invasion of the RussianFederation into the territory of Ukraine and during the period of full-scale military aggression.The purpose of the work is to analyze the incidence and study the features of the spread of influenza and SARS amongthe population of the Kirovohrad region of Ukraine during 2014–2023.Materials and methods. A retrospective epidemiological analysis of the incidence of influenza and SARS amongthe population of the Kirovohrad region of Ukraine for 2014–2023 was conducted according to statistical reportingdata (form No. 40-zdor. "Report on the work of the sanitary and epidemiological station", No. 1 and No. 2 "Report onindividual infections and parasitic diseases" (monthly, annual).Results of the study. Monitoring of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in the Kirovohrad region for2014–2023 revealed local features of the epidemiological process, in particular, changes in dominant pathogens, theimpact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the circulation of influenza viruses. The results of the analysis emphasize the needto strengthen laboratory research in the region, increase vaccination rates, and develop targeted preventive programs adapted to regional conditions.Conclusions. It was found that the most vulnerable groups to COVID-19 are people aged 30–64 and over 65. The study highlights the importance of virological monitoring and laboratory diagnostics (in particular, the RT-PCR method), which allowed to detect the evolution of influenza strains and SARS-CoV-2. The low level of influenza vaccination (2-5%of the population) remains a critical problem, increasing the vulnerability of the region to epidemics. Military operationsfurther complicate the collection of statistical data and the implementation of preventive measures, which requires theadaptation of public health strategies in the context of an emergency.