A REVIEW OF SELECTED PROBLEMS OF TULAREMIA IN THE SOVIET UNION. PART 1. HISTORY AND RECENT INCIDENCE OF THE DISEASE
Abstract
Though definite proof for the existence of tularemia in the Soviet Union has been obtained only in 1926, there can be no doubt that the disease existed there since time immemorial, acting then as now as one of the most important factors regulating the population dynamics of the rodent hosts of the infection. In fact, retrospective studies undertaken since 1926 have furnished more or less definite evidence for the early occurrence of tularemia manifestations. Thus it is most probable that, though misdiagnosed as benign anthrax, the disease was frequent since the 18th century at least in Western Siberia, an area identified afterwards as a hotbed of the infection. In another notorious focus, the As trakhan Raion, the occurrence of an epidemic corresponding in all its features to a tularemia outbreak has been recorded in 1877 and similar manifestations have been observed from 1877-1879 in other parts of Russia including the Kazan Raion. Moreover, as has been pointed out with great reason, the wide distribution of tularemia in the Soviet Union noted during the years imme diately following its discovery in 1926 forms a convincing argument against a recent appearance of this disease.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0409603
Entities
People
- Robert Pollitzer
Organizations
- Fordham University