Global distribution of human chikungunya arbovirus infection: A review

The five main arbovirus families that cause diseases in humans and other animals are Bunya viridae,Togaviridae,Flaviviridae,Reoviridae,and Rhab doviridae.Chikungunya arbovirus(Togaviridae:Alphavirus),an arbovirus transmitted byAedes spp.,is a well-known global health threat.It has been recognized in more than 60 countries in Asia,Africa,Europe,and the Americas.Pakistan,the eastern neighborhood of Iran,is one of the endemic foci of this disease.As the largest province of Iran,Sistan-Baluchestan has always been threatened by infectious diseases from abroad due to its geographical location and neighborhood with Afghanistan and Pakistan.Contagious diseases are more likely to occur in the eastern borders of Iran arising from(1)lack or limited jobs due to deprivation of the area,the harsh weather conditions,unbearable conditions,traditional society,and lack of industry development;(2)Lack or limited facilities due to the distance from the center of the country and high percentage of illiteracy or low literacy,and traffic to neighboring countries to trade goods and get a job.Therefore,health authorities should pay more attention to trafficking of illegal aliens,traveling of people to high-risk countries,smuggling of livestock,and strengthening of quarantine posts across borders,especially in the eastern borders of Iran.The first case of chikungunya disease was confirmed in Sistan-Baluchestan province in 2019,where most of the cases have been reported.The findings of the present study provide evidence of chikungunya virus in Iran and emphasize the urgency to increase the preventive standards and surveillance system.

Earthquake planning and crisis management with an emphasis on the facilities, utilities, and services of the health care centers of Tiran and Karvan County, Isfahan Province, Iran: A case study

Objective: To study earthquake planning and crisis management with an emphasis on the facilities, utilities, and services of the health care centers of Tiran and Karvan County, Isfahan Province. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical survey based on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Tiran and Karvan County Health Care Centers(HCCs). Twenty quantitative and qualitative indicators were derived from the studied HCCs and analyzed using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis technique. The top crisis management strategies were identified and a number of strategies and solutions were proposed. Results: The HCC utilities such as water, electricity, gas, and heating and cooling systems were in average condition, whereas the facilities of the majority of HCCs were in vulnerable-to-average condition. In addition, they sustained relatively high degree of instability which calls for reassessment and effective policies to minimize weaknesses and eliminate threats using strengths and opportunities. Conclusions: It is recommended that the condition of Tiran and Karvan County HCCs be enhanced by distributing new HCCs based on the population density, expanding the road network and creating vast, wide-open spaces to enable field hospital construction in times of crisis.

A review on epidemiology and ecology of West Nile fever: An emerging arboviral disease

West Nile virus (WNV) is found in 26 provinces of Iran in humans, horses, and birds. Due to lack of vaccines, the only method to reduce the risk of the disease in communities is to increase people''s awareness. Lack of killing and overhunting of animals does not alter the infected-blood transmission from animals to humans by mosquito bites, but can reduce disease transmission risks including the transmission of West Nile fever (WNF) to humans. WNV is an enveloped Flavivirus that in nature has an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and birds. The virus has occasional epizootic spillover causing disease in humans and horses. WNV-transmitting mosquitoes are widespread around the world, and the geographical range of transmission and the disease has increased over the past seven decades. Most human infections with WNV are asymptomatic, but severe neurological disease may develop resulting in long-term complications or death. Given the increasing trend of reported human WNF cases, it is necessary to implement surveillance programs and increase awareness of people and health staff about the function of biological factors including carnivores in the hunting of infected animals and collecting their carcass from nature. Hunting and killing of birds and dogs living near humans increase both the risk of deviation of blood-feeding of the zoophilic mosquitoes to humans and the outbreak of the disease.

A comprehensive overview on sandfly fever

Sandfly fever is a febrile emerging arboviral illness which is a huge threat posed to public health.Sandfly fever viruses(Sicilian,Naples,and Toscana)are endemic to the Mediterranean region.Evidence suggests an increase in the activity of sandfly-borne phleboviruses and their extension to other places.The infection is relatively benign but may cause severe clinical manifestations and complications.Sandfly fever viruses belongs to the genus Phlebovirus(family Bunyaviridae),and the four main serotypes include sandfly fever Sicilian virus,sandfly fever Naples virus,sandfly fever Cyprus virus,and Toscana virus.Sandfly fever has flu-like symptoms such as fever,headache,photophobia,malaise,myalgia,and retro-orbital pain.The incubation period of the disease is 4-8 days,and the patient usually recovers within a week.The first infection provides the host with immunity.Sandfly fever viruses are transmitted through the bites of infected female sandflies,thus,the epidemiology of sandfly fever is closely related to the presence and activity of sandfly species that act as the vectors for transmission.Cases and outbreaks of the disease have been reported worldwide for more than 100 years.All in all,this disease is important for non-endemic countries because it is a travel-related and/or imported illness.

Surveying of Pesticides Commonly on the Markets of Iran in 2009

Considering the potential pesticide side effects on environment, their short and long term untoward effects on living creatures, their excessive usage for producing more agricultural products, and also their application to destroy pests of any sort, the present study was carried out to investigate the used amount of common pesticides in Iran markets. A questionnaire was designed. Referring to pesticide selling shops and plants preservations organizations in Tehran and Isfahan, the sufficient data was collected and then categorized regarding the applications and the total amount of used pesticides in a year. The results demonstrated that there were 60 sorts of used pesticides in Iran. They included Organochlorine (10%), Organophosphorus (28.4%), Pyrethroids derivatives (10%), Carbamate derivatives (10%), and others (41.6%). The commonest pesticide used in a year was Organophosphorus and the least one was Organochlorine. The obtained data pointed out that the most common pesticide was Organophosphorus. Given that Organophosphorine compounds are poisonous in living creatures and cause short and long term side effects. It is recommended that responsible authorities provide the necessary information for the aimed groups in terms of the allowable using amount of pesticides, the protection strategies and the pesticides hazards on users.

Identification of Fungal Communities in Producing Compost by Windrow Method

Considering the importance of fungal genera in producing compost from piling organic matter or biodegradable waste, this study aimed to identify the fungal species and their negative effect on human health during the compost production by windrow method. In this descriptive study, 99 compost samples were collected from the composting research site at Kashan University of medical sciences within 63 days from Oct 3 to Dec 4, 2010. Sixty-six samples were cultured to determine the fungal species and 33 samples were transferred to the laboratory to determine the physical and chemical parameters. Twenty-five fungal species were identified during the compost process including 15 saprophytes, 8 dermatophites, 1 opportunistic and 1 yeast fungi. Identified fungal species during the compost process according to their frequencies were Aspergillus spp )34.45%), Microsporium spp (18.89%), Trichophyton spp (8.89%), Yeast sp (6.67%), Mucor sp (5.56%), Penicillium sp )4.45%), Rhizopus sp (4.45%), Fusarium sp (3.34%), Cladosporium sp )3.34%), Curvularia sp (3.34%) and also other fungal species (6.62%), respectively. Considering the presence of various pathogenic fungi during the composting process, the employees of the compost factory should use individual protective devices and also due to the presence of 11 fungal species in the mature compost and their pathogenic effect, preventive measures should be taken by persons involved in the production of compost especially farmers, in order to prevent successive inhalation of spores.

Study on biting bugs encountered in the aquatic environments in Kashan,Isfahan Province,Iran

Objective:To determine biting bugs of Hemiptera families presenting in the county of Kashan.Methods:For this descriptive study,samples were collected from 17 locations of lentic and lotic waters,3 times for each.These specimens were identified by using a stereo microscope and morphological keys.Results:Out of 5535 specimens collected in three times of samplings,3024 specimens(54.6%)belonged to order Diptera,701 specimens(12.7%)belonged to Crustaceans,691 specimens(12.5%)belonged to Trichoptera,468 specimens(8.4%)belonged to Hemipetera,303 specimens(5.5%)belonged to Ephemeroptera,133 specimens(2.4%)belonged to Odonata,104 specimens(1.9%)belonged to Coleoptera,98 specimens(1.8%)belonged to Hydroacarina and 13 specimens(0.2%)belonged to Plecoptera.In this study,Families Corixidae,Notonectidae,Gerridae and Nepidae from Hemiptera order were identified 45.9%,26.9%,25.0%and 2.2%,respectively.Conclusions:These results lead to the conclusion that Hemiptera fauna is relatively rich in Kashan.More studies by entomologists and biologists are recommended to determine the benefits and damages of these insects on the environment.