Publications by authors named "G Cerkez"
Aim: During the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many countries reported a significant decrease in the prevalence of influenza virus cases. The study aimed to characterize the flu seasons from 2018 to 2023 in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), and to assess the possible impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the influenza A and B virus circulation.
Methods: The CDC Human Influenza Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panels were used for the detection of influenza virus A and B, and subtyping of influenza virus A (H1pdm09 virus and H3).
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which led to the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly impacted global public health. The proper diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential for the effective control and management of the disease. This study investigated the SARS-CoV-2 infection using RT-qPCR tests from laboratories in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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- The study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the use of essential health services and health-seeking behaviors among adults in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- A survey conducted in December 2020 with 1,068 adults revealed that 64% received care, with higher rates among women, older adults, and those with chronic diseases.
- Many respondents postponed care due to appointment availability and fear of infection, highlighting the pandemic's significant impact on health access and behaviors.
- The findings emphasize the need for strategies to improve health service resilience and preparedness for future health emergencies.
Article Synopsis
- A study in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) investigated the presence of an echinococcosis parasite in red foxes, which has spread in nearby Central Eastern Europe but was previously unreported in B&H.
- Out of 57 red foxes examined, adult worms were found in one, marking the first confirmed case in the country, with further testing confirming its species.
- The findings highlight the importance of initiating a surveillance program for echinococcosis in B&H, especially given the local presence of migrants and refugees who could potentially contribute to the parasite's spread.
Psychiatric services in Bosnia-Herzegovina before the war disaster was fairly developed and one of the best organized services amongst the republics of the former Yugoslavia. The psychiatric care system was based on psychiatric hospitals and small neuropsychiatric wards within general hospitals, accompanied by psychiatric services in health centers. The onset of war in B&H brought devastation and destruction in all domains of life, including the demolition and closing of numerous traditional psychiatric institutions, together with massive psychological suffering of the whole civilian population.
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