Past and present history of cholera epidemics. Hundred years of operation of National Institute of Hygiene for the prevention and control of cholera

BACKGROUND: Cholera is an infectious disease that in the epidemic form should not continue to appear now, as is known from the experience of developed countries AIM: The aim of this work is to bring to memory the epidemics of cholera, that were introduced to the territory of Poland, in the past and the role of National Institute of Hygiene (PZH) in the fight against them and to demonstrate contemporary danger from cholera outbreaks that still exists in the world MATERIAL AND METHODS: The information from the historic publications were analyzed, the results Polish research performed in National Institute of Hygiene in the second half of the XX century were collected and demonstrated the most recent information from in the world science publications on the subject of cholera and the conditions that were in the origin of the recent outbreaks of cholera mentioned RESULTS: The data available for the number of cholera victims in the epidemics of XIX century is concerning the persons ill with characteristic clinical symptoms, but the data for XX century is concerning only patients that were infected with by the strain Vibrio cholerae O1 classic type, the bacteria that were described by R. Koch, but from the 70-years of XX century mostly the cases infected with Vibrio cholerae O1 type El-Tor, that was the etiologic agent of the seventh cholera pandemic SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: The origin of the epidemic cholera is depending on several conditions :appearance in water the infectious agent with the toxin producing character, ecological conditions of the surface waters, and on living conditions of human society which might be infected from the source of infection in water. The presence of the infectious agent in the natural waters should be always taken under special consideration car any worsening of living condition of the human population like natural disaster or war, may still create the dangers of the epidemic of infectious disease, as recently has happened with the outbreak of epidemic of cholera in Yemen

The scope and results of selected epidemiological studies conducted at the National Institute of Hygiene in the years 1945-1989.

The authors present the first article in the series concerning the scope ofresearch, scientific, practical, educational and other achievements of the National Institute of Hygiene (PZH) since 1945. This article is limited to discussing selected studies conducted in the field of epidemiology until the year 1989. The selection was based on PZH annual reports on the accomplishment of planned objectives and the literature positins listed in these reports, as well as other documents. The criterion for selection was how the scope of the research matched the epidemiological situation within a historical context. The authors chose research that yielded practical results which made an impact on the epidemiological situation, particularly concerning infectious diseases in Poland. The significance of epidemiological research of non-infectious diseases was also stressed. In addition, research that was considered by scientists in Poland and abroad as contributing to the development of medical methodology was included in the selection.

[Professor Wieslaw Magdzik (MD), the representative of the Polish School of Epidemiology in 80th anniversary of birthday]. / Prof. Zw. Dr Hab. Med. Wieslaw Magdzik- -przedstawiciel Polskiej szkoly epidemiologicznej w 80-lecie urodzin.

Wieslaw Magdzik in 1955 completed his medical studies in the Sanitary--Hygienic Department of Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw. At the recommendation of Dr. Jan Kostrzewski, was hired in the Department of Epidemiology (2.11.1955). When working in the Department he completed the second degree of specialization in epidemiology and the first drgree of infectious diseases and also obtained doctoral degree in medical science. Head of his specialization and supervisor of dissertation was prof. Dr. Jan Kostrzewski. In 1970 the Scientific Council of the PZH awarded him a Ph.D. degree. In 1982 he received the title of associate professor and in 1988 the full professorship of medical science. At PZH he worked until 2002, to his retirement, occupying the positions: Head of the Department of Epidemiology (1979-2002), Director of PZH (1981-1990). Periodically, during the years 1972-1978, he worked in the Ministry of Health and Human Services as director of the Department of Sanitary Inspection. He participated the fight against smallpox in India, he served as a temporary adviser for the control of communicable diseases in the WHO regional office in Copenhagen, then in New Delhi. He published over 240 scientific papers. He has supervised eight doctoral theses, has been honored with many decorations and medals, among which are: the Commander's Cross of the Polonia Restituta (1998), the Order of the Bifurcated Needle (WHO, 1976), the badge ,,For Merits to the Kielce region" (1985).

[Department of epidemiology of the National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw in the years 1951-2011--origins of forming, developmental ways in 60 years of work]. / Zaklad Epidemiologii Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny w Warszawie w latach 1951-2011--geneza powstania, drogi rozwoju w ciagu 60 lat pracy.

The paper discussed the origins of forming in 1951 the Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Hygiene in Poland and its subsequent tasks. Relating to the evolving tasks, changes in the organizational structure, professional profile of the staff, main professional challenges and scientific achievements are described in 10 years cycles. Successive chapters address: scientific careers of the Department staff and contribution to scientific development of the whole institute among others; teaching and training, mainly targeted at the epidemiological service staff in Poland; editorial and publishing activities.

[Problems of epidemiology of acute infectious diseases in the areas affected by flooding in July 1997 in Poland]. / Problemy epidemiologiczne ostrych chorób zakaznych na terenach objetych powodzia w lipcu 1997 r. w polsce.

In 1997, Poland experienced a flood of high-intensity. Some predicted major threats from communicable diseases caused by deterioration of the sanitary-epidemiological conditions. On the basis of data from 1997, in this article is presented range of counter epidemic measures recommended in the conditions of public health treats caused by natural disasters like floods. Fears regarding health effects of flood were confronted with surveillance data on infectious diseases reported in 1997.

[The role of National Institute of Hygiene in historical perspective]. / Rola Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny w perspektywie historycznej.

The article presents the role of the National Institute of Hygiene, during the 90 years of its presence, in the struggle for heath of the population. It underlines how the scope of action of the Institute was contiunuously adjusted in response to existing health treats and how the Institute contributed to detection of new risk factors. The main tasks of the Institute included prevention of disease and implementation of the most up-to-date developments in the country public health system.

[The role of the National Institute of Hygiene in historical perspective]. / Rola Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny w perspektywie historycznej.

The article presents the role of the National Institute of Hygiene, during the 90 years of its presence, in the struggle for health of the population. It underlines how the scope of action of the Institute was continuously adjusted in response to existing health treats and how the Institute contributed to detection of new risk factors. The main tasks of the Institute included prevention of disease and implementation of the most up-to-date developments in the country public health system.

[The role of the National Institute of Hygiene in historical perspective]. / Rola Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny w perspektywie historycznej.

The article presents the role of the National Institute of Hygiene, during the 90 years of its presence, in the struggle for health of the population. It underlines how the scope of action of the Institute was continuously adjusted in response to existing health treats and how the Institute contributed to detection of new risk factors. The main tasks of the Institute included prevention of disease and implementation of the most up-to-date developments in the country public health system.

[Measles in Poland in 2000]. / Odra w 2000 roku.

The decreasing tendency in the number of measles cases has been observed (incidence 0.2 per 100,000). No cases were noted in two voivodeships, in 6 voivodeship from one to two cases were noted. In the remaining 8 voivodeships the highest incidence was noted in Slaskie and Wielkopolskie voivodeships (0.4 per 100,000). Comparing to 1999 the incidence among children aged 0-4 decreased nearly three times from 1.4 to 0.5 per 100,000 whereas the incidence among children aged 8 and 9 and adults aged 20-24 increased. Serological confirmation of cases suspected for measles improved too slowly (assay for IgM)--out of 107 suspected cases only 49 (47.6%) were serologically tested.