Encephalitis in Austria. III - A serological survey followed up by an epidemiological study in the endemic region of Styria during the outbreak of 1954
article
During the months of April to October 1954 meningo-encephalitis prevailed again in Styria (Austria). The follow up study of serum samples by means of complement fixation and neutralization tests proved that in 123 out of 217 patients a significant rise of antibody titre against the Graz-strain of Russian spring-summer encephalitis occurred. The outbreak especially in the months of June, July and August, the rather typical age distribution, especially attacking agricultural labourers often working in forests and people living in villages, as well as the large numbers of cases (60%) in which a tick-bite is found in the recent history, point to a tick as possible vector. The observation that, with a few exceptions, in none of the families visited a second case presented itself, is a strong indication that mosquitoes and flies play no or only a minor part in the transmission of the disease. The observation of local or family epidemics caused by the consumption of unboiled goatmilk is discussed in detail and an important link in the source of infection of man is put on credit of the goat. In the sera of domestic cattle, goat, roe, hare, chicken, pheasant and partridge, neutralizing antibody against the Graz-strain has been demonstrated, so it is acceptable that also these animals may form a link in the long chain of animal reservoirs of infection in nature. © 1955 Springer-Verlag.
TNO Identifier
226639
ISSN
03048608
Source
Archiv für die gesamte Virusforschung, 6(2-3), pp. 143-157.
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Pages
143-157
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