Renewed Risk for Epidemic Typhus Related to War and Massive Population Displacement, Ukraine

Abstract

Epidemic typhus, caused by Rickettsia prowazekii bacteria and transmitted through body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), was a major public health threat in Eastern Europe as a consequence of World War II. In 2022, war and the resulting population displacement in Ukraine risks the return of this serious disease.

Keywords

• typhus
• Rickettsia prowazekii
• Pediculus humanus
• epidemic typhus
• Ukraine
• Russia