Regularities of Cholera Spread in the Volga Basin in 1970-1973

Abstract

Retrospective analysis of cholera spread in the early period of the seventh pandemic in Russia (1970-1973) has been carried out. It was elucidated that importation and further spread of cholera in the Astrakhan region in 1970 had been realized through the water way. The development of a large cholera focus in the territory of this region determined the unfavorable situation as regards this infection in the whole country in the period of 1970-1972. Water transport was shown to play the main role in cholera spread. The risk cohorts were the population of the Astrakhan region, shipboard personnel of the Volga steamship company, fishermen, persons without permanent residence. Molecular-genetic analysis of cholera agent strains isolated from the patients (vibriocarriers) and the environment showed that they belonged to one clone, thus the common origin of cholera cases in the basin of the Volga was confirmed.

Keywords

• cholera
• pandemics
• territorial sanitary protection