Diphyllobothriasis in the arkhangelsk region: historical aspect and modern situation

Diphyllobothriasis is an endemic helminthosis, which is common in the Northern hemisphere of the globe, in Europe, Asia and North America. In Russia this invasion mainly occurs in the Northern and Arctic areas, although diphyllobothriasis is also found among residents of the central part of the country. As a rule, foci appear in the basins of large rivers and lakes. Both natural and social factors play an important role in foci formation and stabilization: food traditions of the population (use of raw river fish and "live caviar", occupation (fishing), fishing availability. Diphyllobothriasis has been known as the leading helminthosis among residents of the Arctic territories and the whole Arkhangelsk region since the XIX century, but scientists and physicians began to pay due attention to the disease only in the early 1950-s of the XX century. Regular therapeutic and preventive measures in combination with scientific research in the 1960-1990-s gave positive results and allowed to sharply reduce the incidence of this invasion. Currently, the region is considered relatively diseasefree. The incidence of diphyllobothriasis in the Arkhangelsk region is lower than the average in Russia. However, the presence of invasion foci revealed previously, widespread recreational fishing among the population of the region and availability in the diet of selfcaught fish continue to create the conditions for infecting with diphyllobothriasis.