[Outbreak of typhoid fever in the Chechen Republic in 2000: epidemiological characterization]

The results of the epidemiological investigation of the outbreak of typhoid fever in Achkhoi-Martan region are presented. During the period from December 1999 to April 2000 the disease was diagnosed in 43 persons. The cases of the disease were registered in 3 settlements: Lermontov-Yurt, Kulary and Sernovodsk. The pronounced focal character of the disease was noted with the prevalence of family foci with two or more cases of the disease. This conclusion was based on the fact that at the initial stages of the formation of the foci the leading role belonged to the water factor of the transmission of the disease: water from irrigation ditches used by the population for both drinking and household needs. The unusual season when this outbreak took place (the cold time of the year) was due to highly unfavorable sanitary and hygienic conditions formed as the result of the antiterrorist operation.