The impact of climatic conditions on the dynamics of tick-borne encephalitis in Slovakia in 2012-2016.

OBJECTIVES: The main aim of our work was to analyse the development of the dynamics of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in connection with climatic conditions in Slovakia in 2012-2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed the analysis based on the data provided by the Epidemiological Information System and the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. The study group consisted of 639 patients with confirmed diagnosis. RESULTS: The highest incidence of TBE was recorded in 2016. The highest standardized incidence rate of TBE was in the districts of the Trencín, Zilina and Banská Bystrica regions. The relation of TBE to air temperature showed that most cases of TBE were recorded at an air temperature of 10-20 °C during the months of May to October in 2012-2016. The relationship between air temperature and number of days with snow cover and the number of TBE cases proved to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.001). There is a statistically significant difference in the average number of disease cases according to the air temperature category (p-value = 0.03). This disease occurs mainly in districts with an altitude of 200-400 m a. s. l. The dynamics of TBE in Slovakia is two-peaked with a decline in August. The main season of the disease lasts from May to October, peaking during the summer months of June and July. CONCLUSION: The results of the study point to a prognosis of the development of the disease in connection with air temperature. Based on the findings that in recent years we have observed a slightly increasing trend of TBE in Slovakia due to climate change, this disease is considered a persistent public health problem.

Seasonal patterns of traumatic brain injury deaths due to traffic-related incidents in the Slovak Republic.

Objective: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are an important type of injury in terms of both morbidity and mortality. Road Traffic Incidents are one of the most frequent causes of TBI. This analysis seeks to quantify the number of such injuries occurring in the Slovak Republic, and examine patterns of TBI according to mode of transport and seasonality.Methods: Data concerning total numbers of TBIs occurring from the years 1996-2015 were obtained from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. The events caused by road incidents were examined separately according the external cause stated on death certification. Events were classified into seasons according to the month of death. Summary statistics were produced concerning numbers of deaths according to sex, mode of transport and season. Analyses were performed to examine trends in TBI by season and type of road user.Results: During a period of 20 years from 1996, there were 17,047 recorded deaths involving TBI in the Slovak Republic. Of these, 5,370 were caused by road traffic incidents (RTIs). Age standardized rates tended to decrease from 8.3/100,000/year (1996) to 2.5/100,000/year (2015). Males made up approximately 79% of road traffic-caused TBIs. Summer and autumn showed significantly more events than any other season, with motorcyclists and cyclists in particular being more frequently injured at this time of year.Conclusions: The results show that Slovakia, like many countries, suffers a considerable burden of TBI and that RTIs are a major contributor to this, especially among young adults. Rates of TBI vary by season in Slovakia, and users of different modes of transport appear more or less likely to suffer such injury during different seasons. Considerable variability in rates of injury exists between road users and times of year. Improved understanding of the timing and sufferers of injuries may allow better planning of response and care services. Further research into transport modes and policies aimed at safer driving should be explored.