Epidemiological situation with tularaemia in Arkhangelsk region, Russia

It is suspected that 2 cases could be infected through water of lake Vasiljevsk where Francisella tularensis antigen was detected in a water sample (titre 1/80 +++), one case was probably infected through mosquito bite in the cemetery Makarovo.

Antibody for Francisella tularensis was detected in serum of a house mouse in the area. Another 3 cases (2 of them children 14 and 17 years) were probably infected through mosquito bites close to the open water source by the village Shipicyno. Tularaemia was not reported in this village previously.

Due to increase in tularaemia cases in the region, it is recommended to perform laboratory testing for tularaemia of all patients with lymphadenitis who seek for medical help. People are urged to get vaccinated against the disease also to perform deratization in the area. Residents of epizootic area will get vaccine against tularaemia (starting from 7 years of age and those in occupational risk group); seminars will be organised for clinicians regarding clinics, diagnostics, treatment and prophylaxis of tularaemia; unauthorized landfill will be eliminated.