THE MOST COMMON ANTHROPOZOONOSES IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA IN THE PERIOD 2015 – 2020

Zoonotic diseases are increasingly becoming an emerging public health threat, partially due to the risk of spillover events at the human-wildlife interface. Th eir potential for infecting people with exotic pathogens originating from unusual pets should not be overlooked. Th e aim of the study is to present and analyze the trend of zoonoses in the 2015-2020 period using the descriptive method. Th e source of data is reports of single cases of infectious diseases, which is in accordance with the applicable legislation governing this area. Th e incidence of anthropozoonoses was the highest in 2017 amounting 16.5/100,000, while the lowest value in this fi ve-year period was in 2020, with 1.1/100,000. Th e share of anthropozoonoses in the total incidence of infectious diseases was also the lowest in 2020, with the value of 0.02%, while the highest share of this group of diseases was recorded in 2017 with a value of 1.42%. In the specifi ed period, the three most commonly reported anthropozoonoses are Q-febris, leptospirosis, and brucellosis. In 2020, the most frequently registered anthropozoonosis was toxoplasmosis, while in the previous 5 years, this disease was not reported among the three most common. It is necessary to raise awareness about the presence of zoonoses in the overall incidence of infectious diseases in the Republic of Srpska, because due to the common non-specifi c clinical picture, zoonoses are not the fi rst to be considered in diff erential diagnosis. In the fi ght against zoonoses, a coordinated approach to “One Health” is necessary, which will enable design and implementation of programs, policies, legislation and research in the area of public health.