[Infectious diseases in Poland in 1999]. / Choroby zakazne w Polsce w 1999 roku.

Improvement of epidemiological situation of infectious diseases was continued in Poland in 1999. The end of epidemics of measles, pertussis, mumps, scarlatine, chickenpox, and rubella was observed. In comparison with the number of cases of infectious diseases registered in 1998, decrease in the number of notified cases of salmonellosis, dysentery, meningitis, encephalitis, and hepatitis type B and A as well as increase in the number of influenza cases and trichinosis was noticed. In 1999, compared with 1998, among all notified deaths percentage of deaths attributed to infectious diseases (0.80%) and infectious diseases death rate (7.71 per 100,000) were slightly higher as an effect of the influenza deaths increase.

[The future of epidemiology in Poland in twenty first century. Communicable diseases]. / Perspektywy epidemiologii w Polsce. Bilans otwarcia na XXI wiek. Choroby zakazne.

Material collected from various institutions on activities in the field of epidemiological trials and education was analized and evaluated. Institutions were divided into the following groups: sanitary-epidemiological stations, medical faculties, scientific and research instituts with the hygienic profile and instituts with epidemiological profile (National Institute of Hygiene, Institute of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases and Institute of Sexual Transmitted Diseases). Majority of activities in the country connected with epidemiology are performed in these three instituts.

[Eradication, elimination of congenital rubella syndrome]. / Eradykacja, eliminacja zespolu rózyczki wrodzonej.

The strategies of World health Organisation for elimination of congenital rubella syndrome were presented. The ways of prevention of congenital rubella syndrome by appropriate immunization programs were discussed. The concomitant adverse effects and risks were presented. On the basis of epidemiology of rubella in Poland the authors propose the adjusted vaccination policy.

[Demographic condition of Poland in years 1950-1998 and prognosis of its development up to the year 2050]. / Sytuacja demograficzna Polski w latach 1950-1998 i prognoza jej rozwoju do 2050 roku.

Proper evaluation of epidemiology data for a country requires knowledge of its demographic background. The most relevant data related to demographic structure and migration in 1950-1998 were chosen as a reference for epidemiological analysis. The review includes demographic prognoses developed in authors program of employees of Glówny Urzad Statystyczny (National Office for Statistics) in Poland.

Hepatitis B epidemiology in Poland, Central and Eastern Europe and the newly independent states.

The incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection varies considerably in countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States, but data are difficult to compare between countries because of the large differences in levels of diagnosis, particularly serological identification, and levels of notification. Poland has high levels of diagnosis, including laboratory diagnosis. In the past, the incidence of hepatitis B in Poland was approx. 45 reported cases per 100,000 population, but following the introduction of improved sterilization of medical equipment in 1986 and a selective programme of vaccination in 1991, the incidence fell to about 35 per 100,000 by 1993. In 1993, an intensive vaccination campaign was launched, which has reduced the incidence to under 15 per 100,000. The incidence of HBV infection has decreased across all age groups and in both men and women, and in the under 3 years age group only 32 cases in total were reported in 1997. In 1996 and 1997, there was a slight relative increase in the incidence of HBV infection in men aged 20-24 years. This group may be a target for future vaccination programmes and other activities of control for the infection.

[Previous achievements and plan for further action to eradicate poliomyelitis in countries from the European region of the World Health Organization]. / Dotychczasowe osiagniecia i plan dalszego dzialania dla eradykacji Poliomyelitis w krajach regionu Europejskiego Swiatowej Organizacji Zdrowia.

Is a review of the current problems related to the international efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis. the paper is divided into three parts: one on past results of polio eradication programme, second on current activities and third on future tasks to be performed on international scale. The author characterizes the virus and provides basic information on clinical features of the disease it causes. The also gives an overview of epidemiological data on polio around the world, with special focus on endemic areas. The paper characterizes special efforts to eradicate Polio in different countries with emphasis on on vaccination programme and evaluation of their effectiveness based on surveillance of all cases of flaccid paralysis. A separate part is devoted to problems of polio eradication in Poland both achievements in elimination of the disease and difficulties in securing WHO required level of reporting cases of flaccid paralysis. The review includes definitions and institutional settings for internationaly coordinated efforts to eradicate polio including time table for particular tasks. Appeal to physicians and health workers to participace actively in the programme of polio eradication is attached to the review.

[Infectious diseases in Poland in 1997]. / Choroby zakazne w Polsce w 1997 roku.

Decreasing of number of cases as well as incidence rate of hepatitis type B and type A, and increasing of pertussis, leptospirosis, encephalitis and some other diseases was noted in Poland in 1997. The biggest percentage of deaths was caused by tuberculosis--43.1%, sepsis--over 21.9% and hepatitis--10.6%. Introduction of ICD-10 as well as strikes of health workers in Poland in 1997 caused undernotification especially of deaths.

Influenza: problem in Poland as elsewhere.

The present paper deals with the epidemiological and clinical properties of influenza, taking into consideration differences in the course of the disease its consequences, and infections in high-risk groups. Special attention was paid to problems connected with influenza prophylaxis, and especially to the problem of vaccination. The authors point out that if the vaccine contains recommended strains for a given season and if the vaccination is done in the proper time, the immunity obtained in this way is effective.

[Vaccination against varicella]. / Szczepionka przeciw wietrznej ospie.

Varicella is generally a mild infections disease of children age. It may be danger among others for people especially children with biological or iatrogenic immunosuppression for instance with diagnosis of leukemia, other neoplastic diseases and with transplantation of tissues. Live, attenuated vaccine was produced in Biken Institute in 1974. It was found as immunogenic, effective, small reactogenic and stabile. The price of vaccine is very high (one dose--74 DM). Vaccination of children against varicella with immunosuppression in the course of leukemia or other diseases performed in hospitals or clinics where they are treated is advisable actually in Poland.