[POPULATION MORBIDITY BY INFECTIONS TRANSMITIED VIA IXODES PER- SULCATUS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF IRKUTSK REGION]

Evaluate the degree of epidemic risk of emergence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and ixodes ticks' borreliosis (ITB) in municipalities (MPs) of Irkutsk region with various natural- climate conditions.

Morbidity was compared for TBE and ITB during 2001 - 2015 in MPs of Irkutsk region located, to the north or south of the 55th parallel, i.e. in the con- ditions of different severity of sharply continental climate. 5-year average data were analyzed.

ITB morbidity was 2 - 3 times higher than TBE for all the 5-year periods in the north of the region, whereas in the south -differences were not present. Moreover, in MPs located to the north of the 55th parallel in 2001 - 2015 a decrease of TBE and ITB morbidity did not occur, as in the south of the region.

The lack of population morbidity reduction by TBE and ITB in the north and prevalence of the latter nosoform requires enhancement of a complex of prophylaxis measures in these MPs with an accent in development of non-specific means, includ- ing acaricidic treatment, enhancement of operations of centers of express diagnostics of transmissible infections, familiarizing of the population with the use of protective suits during periods of high activity of ticks.