[A tularemia epidemic in western Slovakia 1995-1996]

The activation of natural foci of tularaemia in West Slovakia during 1994-1996 led to an epidemic outbreak in 1995-1996--mean annual morbidity 6.2 per 10(5) population. In comparison with the mean annual morbidity rate in the preceding period (1980-1994), a more than sevenfold increase was recorded. Of 213 notified cases of the disease 156 cases occurred in 1995--morbidity 8.9 per 10(5) population--being the highest morbidity recorded in this endemic region since the period of epidemic occurrence in the 60s. The highest proportion of cases (59.2%) was recorded in the districts of Nitra and Nové Zámky. The activation of natural foci along with changing social conditions, caused also marked changes of some epidemiological characteristics of tularaemia in Slovakia, such as seasonal and professional occurrence, as well as clinical forms of the disease. The impaired epidemiological situation in the occurrence of tularaemia is pointing to the importance of systematic surveillance to improve the diagnosis of the disease and ensure effective preventive measures.