title: Epidemiological characteristics of tularemia in kosova in the period 2006-2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tularemia is an important zoonosis in Kosovo. The first cases of tularemia in Kosovo were reported in 1999 among civil population in the west part of Kosovo. Tularemia has become an important problem in Kosova after 1999.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency and distribution of Tularemia in Kosovo in the period from 2006 to 2011, propose measures and activities for prevention and control of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this descriptive, retrospective study, we used official reports on infectious diseases from National Institute of Public Health of Kosova (NIPHK), as well as epidemiological surveys. The data collected were analyzed and the corresponding statistical parameters were tested with SPSS for the level of significance for P<0.01 and P<0.05.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The morbidity rate over the study period ranged from 0.38 (2011) to 11.26 (2010) per 100000 inhabitants. We found statistical significance between years for the level of P<0.00001. (X(2)-test=387.5; DF=5; P<0.0001). The majority of tularemia cases occurred in female (59%) with statistical significance for P<0.001 (X(2)-test=16.07; DF=1; P<0.001) The peak of cases in age group 20-40 years, with 242 cases or 48%, with statistical significance for the level of P<0.0001 (X(2)-test=253.14; DF=3; P<0.001) The main route of human infection is consumption of no safety water from wells (50%). The majority of tularemia cases occurred in female in Kosovo with 59% of observed cases while in a study in Central Anatolia region 54.7% were female.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kosova is an endemic zone of this disease since 1954 where the first cases were registered. Tularemia is a zoonosis, so in order to avoid human infections it is very important to implement measures well as perform public health education activities.
authors: National Institute of Public Health of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova ; Faculty of medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
authors: Drita
authors: D
authors: Zajmi
authors: National Institute of Public Health of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova ; Faculty of medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
authors: Merita
authors: M
authors: Berisha
authors: National Institute of Public Health of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova ; Faculty of medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
authors: Ariana
authors: A
authors: Kalaveshi
authors: National Institute of Public Health of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova ; Faculty of medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
authors: Ilir
authors: I
authors: Begolli
authors: National Institute of Public Health of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova ; Faculty of medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
authors: Naser
authors: N
authors: Ramadani
authors: National Institute of Public Health of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova ; Faculty of medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
authors: Rina
authors: R
authors: Hoxha
keywords: Kosova.; Tularemia; morbidity