A new study analyses all-cause mortality data from 2020 to 2022 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and sheds light on the true toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. It estimates that approximately 12 000 excess deaths occurred during the 3-year period – almost 20% above expected mortality levels.
“Excess All-Cause Mortality by Age and Gender During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina: 2020–2022” was published in the journal Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses.
The study, conducted by a group of local and international experts from the Federal Institute for Public Health and the Federal Office of Statistics, WHO, and the EuroMOMO hub at Statens Serum Institut, Denmark, suggests that mortality was significantly higher than officially reported, including among younger adults.
Improving response efforts
Excess mortality was most pronounced in 2021, when the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was spreading rapidly. During this time, the number of deaths was more than 30% higher than expected. Excess mortality was highest among adults aged 45–74 years and was notably higher among males. In contrast, no excess mortality was observed in children under 15 years of age.
Erwin Cooreman, WHO Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, remarked: “The findings of this study underscore the profound impact of COVID-19 on public health in the country, highlighting the need for stronger surveillance and preparedness measures.”
The study also calls for a detailed review of both the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 on mortality to guide health policies and resource allocation to improve response efforts in future pandemics and health emergencies. The study also highlights the importance of timely and widespread public health measures, including vaccination, in reducing preventable deaths.
“Strengthening registration and establishing robust all-cause mortality surveillance are critical steps for improved monitoring of future pandemics and public health events,” emphasized Dr Šeila Cilović-Lagarija, the lead author.
The study was authored by Šeila Cilović-Lagarija, Johanna Thea Mølgaard Rantzau, Siniša Skočibušić, Sanjin Musa, Armin Sprečo, Amna Isaković, Mirza Palo, Faris Dizdar, Hidajeta Čolović, Veronica Ivey Sawin, Jens Nielsen, Pernille Jorgensen, and co-funded by the European Union.
For more information, download the open access publication at the Wiley Online Library through this link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/irv.70086 .