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. 2022 Oct;28(10):2125-2126.
doi: 10.3201/eid2810.220776. Epub 2022 Aug 25.

Renewed Risk for Epidemic Typhus Related to War and Massive Population Displacement, Ukraine

Paul N Newton, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Dennis Tappe, Allen L Richards

Renewed Risk for Epidemic Typhus Related to War and Massive Population Displacement, Ukraine

Paul N Newton et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Epidemic typhus, caused by Rickettsia prowazekii bacteria and transmitted through body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), was a major public health threat in Eastern Europe as a consequence of World War II. In 2022, war and the resulting population displacement in Ukraine risks the return of this serious disease.

Keywords: Pediculus humanus; Rickettsia prowazekii; Russia; Ukraine; bacteria; epidemic typhus; typhus; vector-borne infections; war.

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