Epidemiologic, Ecologic and Microbiologic Studies of Tularemia in Bulgaria

摘要

The epidemiologic result of the century - old tularemia history shows that the disease continues to spread pandemically. In Europe only during the last 70 - 80 years tularemia was found in 20 countries. A new natural focus of tularemia in Western Bulgaria, that originated in the end of 1997, having developed and reached the magnitude of 4000 sq. km., is described. The diseased were 248 individuals in 40 noso - areas of Sofia and Pernik regions. The disease cases were registered in autumn-winter season. The regions are characterized by hilly relief and abundance of water resources. To the west, the described areas are adjacent to tularemia foci in Kosovo and Serbia. In both regions, murids and wild rabbits - main reservoirs of tularemia infection, are widely spread. Microbiologically, the diagnosis was proven in murids, wild rabbits, and ticks from the affected areas. We estimated problem tularemia as most serious for Europe and submit integration measures between affected counties in Europe.