Geographical distribution of arboviruses in Yugoslavia

Abstract

Studies of arboviruses started in Yugoslavia in 1953 following the isolation of TBE virus which caused a severe epidemic that year. Until now the following viruses have been proven to circulate in the country: tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), Bhanja (BHA), sandfly fever (SF), Tahyna (TAH), Calovo (CVO), West Nile (WN), dengue (DEN), Jug Bogdanovac (JB), and Hantaviruses. TBE virus is endemic in the north-west part of the country, causing also epidemics in cyclical intervals. Its typical clinical picture is aseptic meningitis, but severe cases with paralysis have also been described. The bite of ticks is confirmed in about 80% of cases. CCF caused a small epidemic with ten clinical cases in Macedonia in 1976. Bhanja virus was isolated on the Dalmatian island of Brac in 1977, the antibody rate there, determined by the HI method, being about 31%. The first human disease in the world was caused by the Yugoslav Bhanja virus strain. Sandfly fever is still active in the country. The Naples type is prevailing and has proved hazardous for newcomers. Hantaviruses have been studied since 1980. They caused severe epidemics (1967, 1980, 1989) and sporadic cases all over the country. Three different strains are in circulation. Further studies are needed for the rest of the above mentioned viruses to learn more about their significance in human pathology.