[Rise in the epizootic activity of a natural focus of steppe-type tularemia in Stavropol Territory and its epidemic consequences]. / Pod"em épizooticheskoi aktivnosti prirodnogo ochaga tuliaremii stepnogo tipa v Stavropol'skom krae i ego épidemicheskie posledstviia.

One of recurrent autumn and winter rises in the epizootic activity of the steppe-type focus of tularemia in the Stavropol Territory is described. During the tularemia epizooty of 1981-1982 the population of common voles (Microtus arvalis) was very numerous, while the population of house mice (Mus musculus) was comparatively scarce. Francisella tularensis strains were isolated from different species of rodents (Microtus arvalis, Mus musculus, Apodemus sylvanicus, Rattus norvegicus, Lepus, etc.), from fleas and ticks, as well as from environmental objects (well-water, hay). 38 cases of the disease among nonvaccinated persons, mainly in rural areas, were registered. Anginous-bubonic tularemia was the dominant form of the disease. A complex of measures aimed at the detection of tularemia and its liquidation among the population was carried out.