The Analysis of Epidemiologic Risks of Tularemia in the Natural Focus of a Steppe Type in the Stavropol Krai in 2003–2018 and Ways of Their Minimization

Abstract

Our purpose was to study epidemiologic risks of people getting infected with tularemia in the natural focus of the steppe type in the Stavropol Krai during the periods of epidemic manifestations of varying intensity in 2003-2018 in order to develop the tactics of their minimization by means of preventive and anti-epidemic measures. Materials and methods. The study was conducted using statistical data and materials of the annual state reports on the sanitary and epidemiologic situation in the Stavropol Krai for 2003–2018. We analyzed all local cases of tularemia registered during the study period (100 cases). Results. The hunting and foodborne (38.0%), household (30.0%) and waterborne (30.0%) epidemiologic types of tularemia were identified. The increased incidence rate was observed in January – March 2017 (42 people). During this period, 47.6% of cases were of hunting-related and foodborne, 30.9% – of waterborne, and 21.5% – of household epidemiologic types of human tularemia. Discussion. In 2003-2018, not only local cases of hunting-related, foodborne and household epidemiologic types of tularemia were registered at the sporadic level, but waterborne tularemia began to prevail in people. There were multiple cases of the disease induced by infected water of local water supply systems. This must be taken into account when carrying out preventive measures. In individuals involved in hunting and cutting hares, vaccination should be carried out additionally in existing enzootic areas of the focus, where the pathogen is currently not detected in the biocenosis. The minimization of epidemiologic risks to public health is facilitated by the constant control of rodent access to local water pipelines in places of increased epizootic activity and epidemic hazard. Timely elimination of design drawbacks in the areas of water intake and sewage treatment plants and preventive disinfestation significantly reduce the risk of multiple incident cases of tularemia.