Epidemiological situation on tularemia in the regions of Stavropol Territory affected by flood

The data obtained in the analysis of the epidemiological situation in tularemia in the zone of inundation in the Stavropol Territory in 2002 are presented. The current systematic epidemiological surveillance, as well as the data of urgent epizootological and epidemiological survey in the zone of inundation permitted the objective prognostication of the situation in tularemia and formed the basis for the rational planning and realization of prophylactic measures.     

Patterns in the change in the number of carriers and epizootic activity in a floodplain local natural focus of tularemia in Voronezh Province]

Prolonged study of the population of Arvicola terrestris L. in connection with tularemia epizootic among these animals showed this animal to serve as the principal carrier of tularemia infection in the Povorinsk natural focus. Epizootics proved to originate with a definite threshold count of Arvicola terrestris L.; this threshold constituted about 30% of the trapped animals. Dynamics of the epizootic activity was characterized by alterations of cycles of various duration, coursing by waves, with 2--3-year periods. Reduction of the epizootic intensity coursed during a decade in 2 waves with 3-year periods, and during a 7-year period--in one 3-year wave. During the epizootics with the character of a 2-year wave the population of the principal carrier diminished, and with a 3-year wave the count of Arvicola terrestris L. decreased during the first year, and began to increase during the second year, despite the persistence of the epizootic. Detection of regularities attending the changes in the population of the principal carrier of the infection and its connection with the epizootics permitted to make long-period prognoses of the epizootic activity and to plan antiepidemic measures in the focus.     

Culture properties of the causative agent of tularemia isolated in natural foci in Stavropol Territory, the Kalmyk ASSR and the Armenian SSR

The strains isolated in natural foci of the Stavropol Territory and the Armenian SSR have been found to belong to the holarctic race of Francisella tularensis, biovar II. In natural foci of the Kalmyk ASSR the strains belonging to biovars I and II have been isolated. The study of the tularecinogenicity of the cultures has revealed the existence of strains which are not sensitive to their own tularecins. The phenomenon of tularecinogenicity in F. novocida has been established. Avirulent strain 319/38 belonging to the non-arctic race is recommended as an indicator strain for the determination of tularecinogenicity.     

Experience with a bacteriologic and serologic study of a tularemia epizootic in rodents in a natural focus of the meadow and field type

The autumn-winter (1977-1978) tularemia epizootic in small murine rodents was revealed and studied at the natural focus of the meadow and field type in the south of the Moscow Region. The efficacy of the serologic method (the antibody neutralization test) of studying the organs of the caught rodents and the bodies of dead rodents was found to be greater than that of the traditional bacteriologic methods (26.6% and 9.6%, respectively). The serologic study of 908 specimens of avian excrements collected during the period from autumn to spring (1977-1978) revealed that tularemia antigen could be constantly detected, starting from October. The serologic method was effective when used both for the early and retrospective detection of the infective agent and allowed to characterize the epizootic process in greater detail.     

Prevention of acute enteric infections and viral hepatitis A in the Stavropol Territory in connection with a natural disaster

Materials on the organization and realization of prophylactic measures with respect to acute enteric infections (AEI) and viral hepatitis A (VHA) at the period of the liquidation of medico-sanitary consequences of the high flood are presented. As shown in these materials, the epidemiological surveillance on AEI and VHA in the areas affected by the emergency situation included the effective system of monitoring on these diseases. On the basis of monitoring optimum decisions were taken and concrete prophylactic measures were realized. This made it possible to detect the foci of infectious diseases in due time and efficiently liquidate them, as well as to prevent the development of the epidemiological consequences of the high flood.     

Realization of antimalarial measures in the period of eradication of the consequences of a flood in the Stavropol Territory in 2002

As the result of the high flood, an increase in the area of anopheligenic water reservoirs occurred on the inundated territories, which created favorable conditions for the proliferation of Anopheles mosquitoes, the vectors of malarial plasmodia, thus creating the threat of the formation of the local sources of malaria in case of its penetration from other regions unfavorable with respect to this disease. In the affected towns and regions hydrotechnical measures aimed at decreasing the surface of anopheligenic water reservoirs, as well as measures aimed at the decrease in the number of the larval and imaginal stages in the development of mosquitoes, were taken, which made it possible to prevent the probable epidemiological aggravations in malaria.     

Gene typing of infectious tularemia strains isolated from the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories

The typing of F. tularensis strains by four variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) loci has been carried out. Among the strains isolated in the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories seven genotypes have been detected and their spread in different natural foci has been analyzed. The data thus obtained suggest that the VNTR analysis may become an important instrument for studying the structure of the natural foci of tularemia and evolutionary relationships between individual areas of these foci.     

Organization of the workers of the State Sanitary and Epidemiologic Services of the Stavropol Territory in the period of eradication of the consequences of the flood in urban and rural regions of the Territory in 2002

As the result of high flood occurring during the period of June 21-22, 2002, in the Stavropol Territory, 65 settlements were affected. About 200,000 inhabitants found themselves lacking centralized drinking water supply. From the very first days of the emergency situation the state sanitary and epidemiological service took a complex of measures aimed at the liquidation of the medico-sanitary consequences of the high flood, the prevention of the appearance of mass infectious diseases among the affected population. As the result of these measures, the appearance of the outbreaks of acute enteric infections, viral hepatitis A aggravations in malaria and other infectious diseases could be prevented.     

Organization and execution of the use of disinfectants, insecticides and rodenticides in the period of the eradication of the medical and sanitary consequences of a flood in Stavropol Territory in 2002

Materials on the organization and execution of disinfection, disinfestations and deratization works at the period of the liquidation of the medico-sanitary consequences of the high flood in the Stavropol Territory in 2002 are presented. Timely and full-scope treatment, carried out in the course of these works, played a positive role in preventing epidemiological aggravations among the affected population.     

Situation of brucellosis in the regions of Stavropol Territory affected by the flood of 2002

The emergency situation caused by inundations and high floods on the rivers in the affected regions exerts no direct influence on brucellosis morbidity among humans. Still the urgent evacuation of agricultural animals in connection with the natural calamity, their displacement and regrouping give grounds to prognosticate the deterioration of the epizootic situation in this infection in a number of regions of the territory where no sufficient veterinary surveillance has been ensured.     

Natural focus of leptospirosis in the rice paddies of Krasmodar Territory and the means for its eradication

OFFthe rice fields of the Krasnodar Territory the intensive epizootic of leptospirosis icterohemorrhagica can be observed in the population of Norway rats (995 animals have been examined and 102 cultures obtained) the whole year round. The highest intensity of the epizootic process is known to fall on the end of summer and the beginning of autumn (45-50% of Leptospira carriers). The natural focus of leptospirosis on the rice-growing complex is epidemiologically dangerous. The epizootic process can be suppressed by reducing the population of rats by means of poisoned baits. The alternate use of different poisons ( rotindan , brodifacum ) given in the form of paraffined briquettes has proved to be most expedient.