[The epidemiological patterns of pseudotuberculosis in Khabarovsk Territory]

Materials on the epidemiological characterization of pseudotuberculosis at the Khabarovsk Territory taken as a whole and in individual settlements, as well as on the evaluation of epizootic situation in natural foci of infection and foci created by human activities, are presented. The results of laboratory studies of vegetables, washings from environmental objects, soil specimens, material taken from rodents are demonstrated and the characterization of the virulent properties of isolated Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains is given. Two periods (1976-1982 and 1983-1989) were distinguished by their main epidemiological features. The most important feature of the second period is the shift of the seasonal morbidity rise to the middle of summer, which is explained by activation of the mechanism of transmission of this infection due to the supply of early vegetables infected in local vegetable stores. An essential role of wild and synanthropic Muridae as the reservoir of infection is shown; these rodents and the soil maintain the circulation of the infective agent accumulating in the most favorable habitat, vegetable stores. The regularities established in this work contribute to the improvement of epidemiological surveillance.