The aim of the work was to study the epizootiological and epidemiological situation on anthrax in new entities of Russia – the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions – with a multifactorial analysis of the risks of its complications. Materials and methods. Accounting and reporting materials of the Rospotrebnadzor Administrations for new entities, catalogues of stationary hazardous areas (SHA) and anthrax burials (AB) were used for the analysis. When assessing the risks of complications of anthrax situation in the administrative-territorial units (ATU) of these regions, ATU ranking method based on calculation of rank sums of SHA indicators was applied. Results and discussion. 1298 SHA and 848 AB were updated in four regions: in the Donetsk People’s Republic – 257 SHA / 38 AB, Lugansk People’s Republic – 469/258, Zaporozhe Region – 291/370, Kherson Region – 281/182. The SHA’s activity was noted in 1914–2012 (2820 outbreaks) with at least 3400 animal cases. The maximum activity of SHA was recorded in 1940–1959 with the detection of 70 % of all outbreaks. During the ranking of entities, high risk of complications of the anthrax situation was determined in 42 ATU in four regions, very high risk – in 7 ATU in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. The current situation on anthrax in new territories is considered relatively favorable due to the presence of the risk factors of its complication – climatic, social, etc. The ranking results will ensure the improvement of anthrax surveillance with the introduction of enhanced control over the implementation of preventive measures in high risk areas.

The results of a review of the epizootiological and epidemiological situation on anthrax around the world in 2023 and the forecast of morbidity in the Russian Federation in 2024 are presented. In 2023, a complication of the epizootiological and epidemiological situation on this infection was recorded in Russia. Seven outbreaks of anthrax with infection of 14 farm animals and 19 humans were registered in five constituent entities of three federal districts (Volga, Siberian, and Central Federal Districts). Epizootiological and epidemiological instability due to the anthrax was detected in four neighboring countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Anthrax among farm and wild animals was recorded in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Cases of human disease were reported in Africa, Asia and Europe. Human infections occurred during contact with infected animals, products of animal origin, consumption of meat from sick/fallen livestock and wild animals. The incidence rate of anthrax in animals and humans in Russia in 2024 will correlate with the completeness of registration and specific immunization coverage of susceptible animals and persons from groups with high occupational risk of infection. With proper implementation of all preventive measures and effective surveillance of infection, anthrax incidence in the entities of the Russian Federation will amount to isolated cases.

Objective: to study the level of the immune layer of the population to pathogens of natural focal infectious diseases in order to establish the epidemic activity of natural foci of particularly dangerous infectious diseases in the Rostov region.Materials and methods: blood serums of healthy donors living in the administrative territories of the region were collected in the period from 2020 to 2022. Specific antibodies in blood sera were determined by the ELISA method. Serum specific IgG class immunoglobulins were used as a serological marker of the transmitted infection.Results: IgG to the Crimean hemorrhagic fever virus was not detected in 2020. In 2021, the share of seropositive results was 0.7%, in 2022 — 2.0%. The proportion of IgG to West Nile virus in 2020 was 8.7%, in 2021 — 9.9%, in 2022 — 12.4%. Serological testing revealed an immune layer to ixodic tick–borne borreliosis in 2020–2022: 3.1%, 2.6% and 2.0%, respectively. Antibodies to hantaviruses, pathogens of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the blood of residents of the region in 2020 were found in 7.0% of samples, in 2021 — 4.5%, in 2022 — 7.1%. The share of positive samples in the study for Ku fever in 2022 was 2.3%. Conclusion: Seropositive samples were detected for all studied natural focal infections. The greatest variety of natural focal infections confirmed by serological monitoring data was detected in cities (Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog, Zernograd, Kamensk-Shakhtinsky) and districts of RO (Salsky, Neklinovsky, Remontnensky).Conclusion. The results of the serological monitoring made it possible to identify the circulation of pathogens of KGL, LZN, ICB, Ku fever, hantaviruses in the territory of two districts of the region. The detection of specific antibodies in the blood sera of healthy donors indicates the epidemic activity of natural foci. Also, a comprehensive study of healthy donors expanded the understanding of the area of the most relevant natural focal infections such as (KGL, LZN, ICB), and less frequently registered at present (HFRS and Ku fever).

Objective: to assess the epidemic situation of echinococcosis in the period 2012–2022 in the endemic territories of the Far Eastern Federal District and South of Russia. Materials and methods: based on the data of the annual statistical reporting forms No. 2 "Information on infectious and parasitic diseases", data from the Reference Center for Monitoring Larval Helminthiasis of Rostov Research Institute Microbiology and Parasitology of Rospotrebnadzor, an analysis of the incidence of echinococcosis in the territories of the Far East and South of Russia in the period 2012–2022 was carried out. For seroepidemiological examination of a conditionally healthy population by the ELISA method, the diagnostic kit "Echinococcus-IgG-ELISA-BEST" (JSC "Vector-Best", Novosibirsk) was used. Results: it is shown that the epidemiological situation of echinococcosis is characterized by pronounced territorial unevenness. In the south of Russia, epidemiological problems with echinococcosis persisted in Kalmykia (0.74–2.19 cases per 100,000 population) and in the Astrakhan region (0.60–1.48 cases per 100,000 population). Among the relatively healthy population, the average seropositivity to E.granulosus antigens in the Far East was 5.8%, in the south of Russia — 2,6%. Conclusions: the data obtained indicate an unfavorable epidemiological situation for echinococcosis in a number of regions of the Far East and South of Russia.

Objective: analysis of the current epizootological and epidemiological situation on anthrax and characteristic of stationary hazardous for this infection areas (SHAs) in the South of Russia.Materials and methods: we used data on SHAs and anthrax burials from the Rospotrebnadzor Directorates for the subjects of the Southern (SFD) and North Caucasus (NCFD) federal districts, regional Veterinary Directorates, official data from Rospotrebnadzor and Rosselkhoznadzor on morbidity in humans and livestock.Results: anthrax is almost ubiquitous in the regions of the SFD and NCFD. According to data updated in 2023, in the South of Russia, 3845 SHAs were taken into account, in which 9815 outbreaks were registered. In 1999-2023 92 SHAs showed activity, 23 of which are new. There are 350 anthrax burials located in the SHA’s territories. Over 25 years, there were 104 outbreaks affecting at least 269 livestock and 134 people, with 4 deaths. Human infection occurred mainly during the forced slaughter of sick cattle, unvaccinated against anthrax, through contact with contaminated meat.Conclusion: the epidemiological and epidemiological situation on anthrax in the South of Russia continues to remain unstable. The problem is due to the presence of a significant number of soil hotspots against the backdrop of incomplete implementation of preventive measures. Stabilization of the anthrax situation can only be achieved by implementing a full range of preventive and anti-epidemic measures in the format of interdepartmental interaction.

Objective : to form a brief overview of data on the main historical stages in the development of medical societies in Russia and the contribution of the Rostov branch of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Society of Epidemiologists, Microbiologists and Parasitologists to ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population. Materials and methods : analysis of archival materials and literary sources from the databases of electronic libraries e-library, CyberLeninka and others. Results : the contribution of medical societies to the development of domestic medicine and the sanitary and epidemiological service of our country is indicated. Particular attention is paid to the activities of the Rostov regional branch of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Society of Epidemiologists, Microbiologists and Parasitologists, which brought together specialists from both research and educational institutions, and practical health care of the Don region. Conclusion : The results of practical undertakings and scientific research of medical societies throughout their existence contributed to the development of preventive medicine and were focused on protecting the health of the country's population. The activities of the Rostov Regional Branch of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Society of Epidemiologists, Microbiologists and Parasitologists are aimed not only at developing domestic medical science and promoting achievements among the medical community and the population, but also at improving the professional level of specialized specialists, developing and implementing effective scientific, practical, educational technologies .

In the context of the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 (hereinafter, COVID-19), the priority activity of medical organizations was the organization of training of medical workers on epidemiology and prevention of COVID-19, which required the development of a new architecture of the educational process. In order to improve the knowledge of medical staff, new educational technologies were used, which made it possible to cover a wide range of medical workers in a short time and to improve their level of qualification in epidemiology and prevention of COVID-19. Purpose . To summarize the experience of using remote content to improve the skills of medical professionals in epidemiology, prevention and biosafety when working with COVID-19 patients using modern training forms and methods. Materials and methods . A program of seminars for medical workers was developed, which included sections of epidemiology, prevention of COVID-19, and rules of compliance with the anti-epidemic regime when working with COVID-19 patients. The training of medical workers was carried out using modern IT technologies. Discussion . New technologies made it possible to expand the training opportunities for medical workers. To increase the level of knowledge and exchange of experience, it became possible to invite highly qualified specialists for tutoring. Conclusion . The use of modern forms of education makes it possible to expand significantly the possibilities of the educational process, make available the necessary information about the epidemiology and prevention of COVID-19 to a wide range of health workers, and increase the effectiveness of the training. The role of a teacher with the introduction of such technologies acquires a new quality, called a tutor.

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the developed anthrax magnoimmunosorbents (MIS) for the selective concentration of Bacillus anthracis spores and to increase the sensitivity of anthrax agent detection techniques, including when testing soil samples.Materials and methods. We used 10 vaccine strains of B. anthracis and 30 strains of closely related bacilli of the genus Bacillus (B. cereus – 15, B. thuringiensis – 10, B. megaterium – 5) with typical species properties. The work was performed on three experimental batches of magnoimmunosorbents. DNA extraction and PCR setting was carried out in compliance with the instructions for reagent panel for B. anthracis DNA detection “ApliSens Bacillus anthracis-FRT”.Results and discussion. It is shown that when using MIS, the sensitivity of the cultural method is increased by at least 7 times (taking into account the possibility of sorption of 1–10 or more spores on a sorbent particle). The sensitivity of the PCR method is improved by 10 times and amounts to 50 B. anthracis spores per 1 ml for the samples concentrated with the help of MIS. The sensitivity of the bacteriological method using MIS increases by a factor of 7.5 when testing the artificially contaminated with B. anthracis soil samples. Hence, application of the developed MIS makes it possible to significantly enhance the sensitivity of anthrax agent detection methods and can be considered as an effective means of sample preparation for the investigation of environmental objects (soil).

Objective. To study the features of the age structure of patients with COVID-19 in the Rostov Region in different periods of the pandemic. Materials and methods. A retrospective and current epidemiological analysis of the incidence of COVID-19 in the Rostov Region between March 2020 and April 2022 was performed. The analysis was conducted for the age groups of “0–17”, “18–45”, “46–65”, and “over 65” years in different pandemic periods. Results. The epidemic process of novel coronavirus infection in the Rostov Region during the observation period was characterized by a wavy course with recurrent disease rises and falls. Five time periods of the pandemic were recorded. Some features of the age composition of COVID-19 patients in different periods were revealed: a 2-fold increase in the proportion of children by the 5th period (up to 14.2%) and an increase in the involvement of people over 65 years in the 2nd and 4th periods (25.9% and 19.6%, respectively). The main force behind the pandemic were individuals aged 18–65 years. Conclusion. The age structure of COVID-19 patients during the observation period (two years and a half) was characterized by the predominance of adult patients over 18 years of age. The proportion of children at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was low, but as the epidemic process evolved, the role of this age group increased significantly. The increase in the incidence among children can probably be explained by the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 genovariants, which are highly contagious and virulent. Key words: COVID-19, monitoring, epidemic process, SARS-CoV-2, age structure

The paper provides the results of analysis of the epizootiological and epidemiological situation on anthrax in the world in 2022, also, the forecast of incidence rates for the Russian Federation in 2023 is presented. In 2022, two cases of anthrax in farm animals and two cases of cutaneous form of infection in humans were registered in Russia, in the constituent entities of the North Caucasian Federal District: the Republic of Dagestan and the Stavropol Territory. The tense situation on anthrax was reported in the neighboring countries: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. Epizootics of infection with the highest number of affected farm and wild animals were recorded in the countries of Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. The incidence of anthrax among people in the far abroad (mainly in Africa and Asia) was mostly associated with consuming the meat of sick and fallen farm animals, contact with infected animals, animal products. The incidence of anthrax in animals and humans in the Russian Federation in 2023 will largely depend on the scale of coverage with specific immunization of susceptible animals and persons at risk of infection and, given the strict implementation of comprehensive surveillance measures, will be limited to the registration of potentially possible single cases of infection.

A generalized analysis of the epidemiological and epizootiological situation on anthrax in the world in 2021 is presented. Provided is the forecast for the Russian Federation for 2022. In 2021, two cases of cutaneous form of anthrax were recorded in Russia among population living in the Siberian (the Republic of Tuva) and the North Caucasian (the Republic of Dagestan) Federal Districts. Epizootiological and epidemiological instability due to the infection was manifested in neighboring countries – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. Anthrax among farm and wild animals was registered in a number of countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. Human cases were noted mainly in Africa (Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, China) and Asia (India, Indonesia, Iraq), and were caused by the contact and/or alimentary pathways of transmission of the pathogen as a result of forced slaughter of sick and/or butchering of fallen farm animals, consuming meat of sick and fallen cattle. The level of anthrax incidence among farm animals and humans in the Russian Federation in 2022 will be predetermined by the completeness of the implementation of regulated preventive measures, and, provided the strict introduction of comprehensive epizootiological and epidemiological surveillance, will be limited to sporadic cases of infection.

Objective. To identify the potential epizootic and epidemiological risks arising from the development of the infrastructure of Platov Airport in the territory adjacent to the airport for the development, if necessary, of a set of anti-epidemic and preventive measures. Materials and methods. Epizootological monitoring was carried out in the vicinity of Platov airport, as well as on the territory of the complex itself for three seasons (20192021). The capture of small mammals was carried out according to the standard method of trap-lines with Hero crushers; 1200 trap-days were accumulated. Route records of bats with the determination of their species were carried out. The species belonging of blood-sucking arthropods was determined using determinants. Regulatory support for the above monitoring was formed in accordance with the current normative and methodological documents: SanPiN 3.3686-21 "Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases"; MP 3.1.0211-20 "Trapping, Accounting and Forecasting the Number of Small Mammals and Birds in Natural Foci of Infectious Diseases"; MU 3.1.3012-12 "Collection, Accounting and Preparation for Laboratory Examination of Blood-sucking Arthropods in Natural Foci of Dangerous Infectious Diseases". Laboratory studies of samples of extracted biomaterial for the search of markers of pathogens of natural focal infections were carried out taking into account the requirements of current regulatory documents. Samples for laboratory testing were formed in compliance with the principle of "one point of collection of material, one time of collection of material, one type of material". Results. The results of epizootological monitoring of the territory of the Platov airport (Rostov-on-Don) are presented, according to which a real possibility of the development of epizootics of dangerous infectious diseases among small mammals living in the adjacent territory to the Platov airport has been established. In order to eliminate potential risks that can lead to complications of the epidemiological situation, it is necessary to carry out planned deratization and acaricide treatments on the territory of Platov airport. The continuation of regular epizootological monitoring of the airport territories and adjacent territories remains very relevant. Conclusions. The results of epizootological monitoring of the territory of the Platov International Airport (Rostov-on-Don) revealed the presence of mouse-like rodents penetrating from the surrounding fields, including those belonging to groups I and II of infectious sensitivity to tularemia, which form potential epizootological risks. A comprehensive laboratory study of biological material obtained from mouse-like rodents captured during epizootological monitoring did not reveal markers of pathogens of natural focal infections. At the same time, systematic regular epizootological monitoring of the airport territory is necessary due to the presence in the territories surrounding the airport complex of natural foci of particularly dangerous infections common to humans and animals, where mouse-like rodents live and reproduce, including house mice and rats, capable of migrating and inhabiting residential and warehouse premises and in case of activation of epizootic process to introduce infection into the territory of the airport complex, especially in autumn and winter.

Objective. To study the features of the formation of the epidemic situation for tuberculosis and to evaluate the effectiveness of antiepidemic events in separate age groups. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the incidence of tuberculosis in Rostov-on-Don from 1992 to 2017 was conducted. The dynamics of the incidence of active tuberculosis, respiratory system tuberculosis and forms with bacillus discharge with the determination of the trend and its quantitative assessment was studied; the age structure of tuberculosis patients was analyzed depending on the direction and severity of the trend. Results. The incidence of tuberculosis has been increasing in Rostov-on-Don since 1993, and from 2003 to 2008, the average long-term incidence of active tuberculosis, respiratory tuberculosis and forms with bacillus excretion was maximum. Since 2009, the direction of trends has changed, the period from 2009 to 2013 is characterized by a "pronounced" downward trend and since 2014, the incidence rates have been minimal. In the age structure of patients with active tuberculosis, the proportion of persons aged 40-49 is decreasing, and in 20142017, the proportion of persons aged 5059 years is also falling. Since 2009, the proportion of persons aged 1829 has increased, and in 20092013 the proportion of children has grown. In 20142017, the proportion of persons over 60 years of age increased among those who fell ill. Conclusion. The most effective events are carried out in the group of 4059 years, less effective among children and persons aged 1517 and 3039 years. The results of the research will allow us to adjust preventive measures among children, teenagers and young people.

Objective of the study was to assess the epizootiological and epidemiological situation on anthrax in the Volgograd Region in the period of 1920–2019, to zone the territory according to the degree of disadvantage as regards anthrax using geographic information technologies. Materials and methods. The reporting data of the Rospotrebnadzor Administration, Veterinary Committee in the Volgograd Region, and literature sources were studied. ESRI-ArcGIS 10 software was used as a GIS-platform. Epizootic index was applied in the zoning according to the degree of disadvantage regarding anthrax in the territories of the region. Results and discussion. Currently, 529 stationary potentially hazardous as regards anthrax areas have been registered in 33 districts of the Volgograd Region, 53 anthrax burial sites are accounted for in 20 districts. During the period of 1970–2019, 226 cases of infection of farm animals and 37 cases of anthrax among humans were detected. Most of the stationary potentially hazardous as regards anthrax areas (347 sites, 66 %) were formed in 1930–1949. Maximum activity was observed in 1930–1959. The zoning of the territory of the Volgograd Region was carried out using ESRI-ArcGIS 10 software, as a result of which the municipal districts were divided into four groups according to the degree of disadvantage regarding anthrax. The potential of different soil and landscape zones in the persistence of the anthrax microbe was studied. It has been found that chernozem, chestnut, dark-chestnut soil types, which occupying more than 50 % of the total region area and predominate in the zones of moderately arid and dry steppes, alongside alluvial meadow soils of river valleys, floodplains of rivers are very favorable for the persistence of the anthrax pathogen. The territory of the Volgograd Region is endemic for this infection and epizootiological and epidemiological well-being in the region largely depends on the completeness and timelines of preventive measures. The use of geographic information technologies provides a comprehensive analysis of the infection activity manifestations with reliable improvement of the anti-anthrax surveillance system and control in making differentiated managerial decisions.

Objective: To analyze the results of epizootic monitoring of natural foci of particularly dangerous infections common to humans and animals in Rostov Oblast to establish their activity.Materials and Methods:The data of epizootic monitoring conducted by zoologists; the results of laboratory research of field material obtained in natural foci of infectious diseases. Descriptive, zoological, genetic, serological methods, and retrospective epidemiological analysis were used.Results: The results of the conducted epizootic monitoring showed the presence in Rostov Oblast of natural foci of particularly dangerous infectious diseases common to humans and animals. While the natural focus of the plague is in a depressed state and does not show activity, in the foci of tularemia, West Nile fever (WNF), Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF), ixodic tick-borne borreliosis (ITB), hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), Q fever, Batai fever, California serogroups, Syndbis revealed the antigens of these pathogens in biological material obtained from small mammals and blood-sucking insects, which indicates the epizootic activity of these foci. In the natural foci of WNF, CHF, ITB, HFRS, cases of these disease among the population were recorded, which confirms the epidemic activity of these foci.Conclusion: The obtained results of epizootic monitoring over the period from 2008 to 2020 emphasize the relevance and necessity of continuing these studies in natural foci in Rostov Oblast.

In the course of the study, it was possible to identify the weighted average values of the burden of static-dynamic diseases among the female and male population of young age. A continuous study was carried out in 2020 on the basis of the Main Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise in the Rostov Region. In the course of the work, a database was compiled on the accumulated disability in the Rostov region for people aged 18–45 years (23,248 cases). In the course of the study, five age-sex groups were identified: 1) 18–25 years old, 2) 26–30 years old, 3) 31–35 years old, 4) 36–40 years old, 5) 41–45 years old. The study of indicators of a separate age group included the calculation of the frequency of accumulated disability, assessment of the structure of the contingent, taking into account the causes and severity of disability. Statistical processing of the data obtained was carried out by comparing the average values in the Statistica 10 application program. In the first studied age group, the incidence of accumulated disability is 87.9 cases per 10 thousand of the population, among them 17.7 cases per 10 thousand of the population are people with disabilities. statodynamic disturbances (20.1%). In the second group, the frequency of general disability is 70.9 cases per 10 thousand of the population, among them 17.0 cases per 10 thousand of the population are people with disabilities with staticdynamic disorders (24.0%). In the third group, the incidence of accumulated disability is 119.1 cases per 10 thousand of the population, among them 31.4 cases per 10 thousand of the population are disabled persons with static-dynamic disorders (26.4%). In the fourth group, the incidence of accumulated disability is 182.0 cases per 10 thousand of the population, among them 54.7 cases per 10 thousand of the population are people with disabilities with static-dynamic disorders (30.0 %). In the fifth group, the frequency of general disability is 276.2 cases per 10 thousand of the population, among them 82.9 cases per 10 thousand of the population are people with disabilities with static-dynamic disorders (30.0 %). Thus, the indicator of accumulated disability with statodynamic disorders is higher in the fifth age-sex group of the study (82.9 cases per 10 thousand population); in the structure of the severity of disability, the third group prevails.

Aim. To evaluate the links between the individual gender ideology, sexual statements, relationship system characteristics and the vulnerability of heterosexual HIV infection. Materials and methods. Behavioral questioning, based on sampling of 239 students (mean age 20 years). Results. Among both young men and women, there was detected a correlation between loyalty to conservative gender ideology and justification of sexual abuse against women as well as characteristics of interpersonal relations, reducing motivation to use of condoms. Conservative gender ideology significantly raises vulnerability of young women against HIV-infection through their justification of sexual abuse and domination of men. Egalitarian gender ideology is essentially connected with the statements, aimed at less risky, as for HIV infection, sexual practice. Conservative gender ideology supports orientation of youth to behavioral models, elevating vulnerability against HIV infection in heterosexual contacts: refusal from use of condoms, resistance to recommendations for decrease of risk. Conclusions. Conservative gender ideology significantly increases vulnerability of young women against HIV infection through their justification of sexual abuse and domination of men. It is useful to include determination of a number of sociopsychological characteristics into the procedure of behavioral studies in the framework of epidemiological supervision of HIV infection, which can indirectly increase vulnerability of youth against HIV infection. There were offered content changes in programs, directed to decrease of risk among youth.

In this review we presented data about infection cases of people and animals with anthrax in the world, CIS and Russia based on the materials of WHO, Promed-mail andRospotrebnadzorwebsites and monographs of Russian scientists. The epidemiological situation of this serious infection remains quite serious and is evaluated as stressful and having no tendency to stabilization due to existence of soil bornefocus which are active for many years, causing periodic outbreaks among farm animals and people.

Purpose: to develop the methodology for risk-assessment of the potential hazard of the Rostov region’s territory due to anthrax based on the spatial analysis, independent of the administrative division. Materials and Methods: for development the risk-based assessment of potential hazards of territory due to anthrax the registration data of cases for 132 years have been used. The construction of risk cartograms were carried out on the basis of biweight distribution of stationary unfavorable places due to anthrax. Results: the average value of the epizootic index and density of stationary unfavorable places due to anthrax are calculated for 413 administrative units of the Rostov region. Summary: the identification of «risk areas» by using risk-based methodology would provide the more accurate results than the zoning due to administrative territories.

Purpose: improvement of epidemiological surveillance of anthrax in the Rostov region with the use of a geoinformational system (GIS). Materials and methods: for GIS development soil maps of «The Unified State Register of Soil Resources of Russia» are used; information on incidence of anthrax provided by experts of «The Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Rostov Region» from 1990 to 2014; computer Quantum GIS 2.2 program. Results: GIS allows carrying out the multiple-factor analysis, to reveal patterns of anthrax spread among people and animals, to carry out the comparative historical analysis of data, to monitor dynamics and a trend of incidence. Summary: GIS information will form a basis for the analysis, planning and implementation of epidemiological and veterinary surveillance in the Rostov region.