EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES ON INCIDENCE OF TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS, LEPTOSPIROSIS AND TULARAEMIA

Objectives: Potential effect of three environmental variables (population density of rodents, global weather in the form of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, and acorn crop) on human morbidity rate of three zoonoses: tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), leptospirosis and tularaemia were analysed in the Czech Republic for the period 1970-1990. Methods: The Pearson's correlation analysis was used. Results: The correlation analysis revealed that the significant factor for explaining annual morbidity rates of these zoonoses was the abundance of common voles (Microtus arvalis) in the current year (for leptospirosis) or in the previous calendar year (for TBE and tularaemia). Conclusions: The two other environmental variables tested (NAO index and acorn production) do not seem to play a significant role in these zoonoses in Central Europe.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the potential effects of rodent population density, NAO index, and acorn production on three zoonotic diseases in the Czech Republic from 1970 to 1990. Results showed that the abundance of common voles was a significant factor in explaining the annual morbidity rates of these diseases, while the NAO index and acorn production did not seem to play a significant role.