In 2013, an oropharyngeal tularemia outbreak in Turkey affected 55 persons. Drinking tap water during the likely exposure period was significantly associated with illness (attack rate 27% vs. 11% among non–tap water drinkers). Findings showed the tap water source had been contaminated by surface water, and the chlorination device malfunctioned.

Objective: Due to the increase in of the antimicrobial resistance problem, in our country, the studies to establish National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (NAMRSS) was started. It is important to provide reliable data for the laboratories those will be included in NAMRSS. For this purpose, a questionnaire was applied to evaluate the culture and antimicrobial susceptibility tests performance capacities (AST) of the laboratories in the country.

Anthrax is a notifiable disease in Turkey. In order to control the human disease, animal foci are being monitored and prevention and control activities are being implemented by the Ministry of Health in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The objective of our study was to evaluate the national surveillance data and control activities in the last decade. A total of 1174 anthrax cases and 9 deaths have been reported. Anthrax was frequent in eastern provinces and in big cities where large animal movements were significant. The incidence rate was 1.5 times higher in males than in females. The disease was more common in the 30–64 age group. The number of cases increased in the summer and autumn seasons. Human anthrax is still being reported though in decreasing numbers in Turkey. A collaborative control programme continues to be needed.

Tavşanlı ilçesi halk sağlığı yetkilileri 18.06.2014 tarihinde 28'i hastanede yatarak tedavi görmüş 684 gastoenterit hastası olduğunu rapor etmişlerdir. İnceleme, salgının nedenini saptamak, bulaş yolunu belirlemek ve kontrol önlemlerini uygulamak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Yöntem: Bu vaka-kontrol çalışmasında 07-30 Haziran tarihleri arasında R11, K52, A09 ICD-10 tanı kodlu, kusma veya ishali (≥3/gün) olan, atak hızı en yüksek 5 mahallede ikamet eden, basit rastgele yöntemle seçilen 154 olası olgu ve kontrolü incelenmiştir. Kontroller, 1:1, yaş grubu eşleştirmesi yapılarak komşulardan seçilmiştir. Klinik örnekler ve şebeke suyu örnekleri incelenmiştir. Bulgular: Atak hızı %3.3 olup vakalar tüm ilçeye yayılmıştır. Başlıca şikâyetler bulantı (%88.9), ishal (%88.2), karın ağrısı (%82.8) ve kusmadır (%71.8). Vakalar selden 6 gün sonra artmaya başlamış ve salgın eğrisinde geniş bir pik saptanmıştır. Vakaların %66.9'u, kontrollerin ise %37.0'ı mahalle çeşme suyu (TRRMH=4.3 ,%95 GA:2.2-8.6), vakaların %18'i kontrollerin %27'si şişelenmiş su içmiştir (TRRMH=0.5, %95 GA:0.3-0,9).

Tularemia is a zoonotic infectious disease which is caused by a Gram negative coco basil named Francisella tularensis mostly found in the Northern hemisphere. F. tularensis is a resistant bacteria that can survive in cold and moist environment for weeks. However it is susceptible to sun light and high degrees of heat, and it can't live in chlorinated water. It is known that illness can be transmitted by either direct or indirect ways, however, epidemics occur when the agent is orally taken. In Turkey, especially laboratory workers, farmers, veterinary surgeons, hunters are majorly at risk as tularemia is transmitted by contagious water sources. F. tularensis grows in 2-5 days at 35 ºC, in medium. For diagnosis, frequently used methods are serologic tests. In early phases, methods like PCR, immunfluorescent antibody testing and direct antigen detection can be used. Clinical findings can vary due to patient's immunity status, severity of systemic spread, virulence of bacteria, etc. The most frequent form of tularemia is ulceroglandular form that is a painless ulcer, adjacent to a cutaneous lesion, accompanied by regional lymphadenitis. Other clinical forms are known as glandular, oculoglandular, oropharyngeal, respiratory and typhoidal tularemia. Endemic regions of tularemia are; Canada, Mexico, former Soviet Union countries,