Epidemic diphtheria in the Kyrgyz Republic, 1994-1998.
The Kyrgyz Republic experienced a widespread diphtheria epidemic during 1994-1998. National diphtheria surveillance and vaccination coverage information were used to describe the course of the epidemic. The epidemic began in August 1994, reached a peak in 1995 with 704 cases (incidence rate: 15.4/100,000 population) and 30 deaths, and declined to an incidence rate of 4.0/100,000 during the first 8 months of 1998. Age-specific incidence was highest in 1995 among persons 15-19 and 20-29 years old. Three rounds of mass vaccination with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids for adult use (Td) were conducted; reported coverage was 69% in 1995 and >95% in 1996 and 1997. Reported routine vaccination coverage with three doses of diphtheria toxoid by age 12 months increased from 62% in 1989 to 98% in 1997. Mass vaccination of the adult population with Td and improvements in childhood vaccination coverage played a major role in controlling the epidemic.
Glinyenko
V M
VM
Deputy's Office, Ministry of Health, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
Abdikarimov
S T
ST
Firsova
S N
SN
Sagamonjan
E A
EA
Kadirova
R
R
Nuorti
J P
JP
Strebel
P M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D022422:Diphtheria-Tetanus Vaccine; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007707:Kyrgyzstan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D022422:Diphtheria-Tetanus Vaccine; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D017778:Vaccines, Combined