[Epidemiological surveillance of parasitic diseases in the republic of Armenia].

Parasitic diseases play a very important role in the regional pathology of Armenia. Malaria was completely eradicated in Armenia in 1963; the malaria-free status was maintained till 1994. At present, the populations of the Ararat, Armavir, and Tavush regions of Armenia are at a potential risk for malaria. Nowadays, 6 species of Anopheles mosquitoes are spreading in Armenia. An analysis of many years' official statistics on the number of individuals infected with intestinal helminthiases and a retrospective analysis of those in 1986-2001 were made to study the current epidemiological laws on intestinal helminthiases. The infection rates of ascariasis, trichocephaliasis, enterobiasis, teniasis, and mixed infection were 4.0 +/- 0.4, 1.2 +/- 0.2, 25.9 +/- 1.0, 0.2 +/- 0.08, and 0.8 +/- 0.2%, respectively. Those of intestinal helminthiasis were higher in rural areas than those in urban areas and in Yerevan. The above fact makes it necessary to work out a new, comprehensive, scientifically-grounded parasitological service adjustable to the present new socioeconomic conditions.