Peculiarities of Spatial Structure of the Central Caucasian High-Mountain Natural Plague Focus

Abstract

Within the limits of Central Caucasian high-mountain natural plague focus discovered are two zones of natural focality. The first natural focality zone in the mountain steppe of the eastern part of the focus has a parasitic complex similar in structural organization and functioning to lowland foci of the souslik type. Another one, situated in the western part of the focus, is compatible with Tuva mountain natural plague focus, where fleas Neopsylla setosa are absent, and epizootic activity is characterized by a single-humped curve with an apex for July-August period. The similarities stated above can be used for optimization of epidemiological surveillance techniques, preventive measures, and methodology of studying mountain natural plague foci of the souslik type.