ST. PETERSBURG, June 16. /TASS/. Such diseases as plague and pseudotuberculosis require special attention so that vaccines and diagnostic kits be available in case their pathogenic agents evolve, Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Center, told TASS on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
"We need to get prepared beforehand. We need to keep an eye on the infecting agents of dangerous diseases, such as plague and pseudotuberculosis. Pseudotuberculosis is not tuberculosis, but a close relative to plague, and it entails very serious clinical complications, although it resembles plague in terms of its genetic structure. I would recommend a close eye be kept on this agent. God help us if it begins to evolve," he said.
Pseudotuberculosis, caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, is an acute infectious disease, which can be transmitted to man through skin contact with infected animals, contaminated water, or by the consumption of contaminated food or vegetables. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The abdominal pain is often located in the right lower quadrant and may mimic appendicitis. Other problems associated with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection include terminal ileitis and intussusception, more commonly in children.
"We should have vaccines, manufacturers who can make them in large quantities, diagnostics kits and specific treatment tools," Gintsburg said.
Russia’s sanitary watchdog earlier called for measures to prevent plague import.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum organized by the Roscongress Foundation is taking place on June 15 through 18. This year’s forum is dubbed: ‘New Opportunities in a New World’. A number of other events will take place beyond the business program, among them are the SME Forum, the Creative Business Forum, the Drug Security Forum, the SPIEF Junior Dialogue and SPIEF Sport Week. TASS serves as the event’s official photo hosting agency and the information partner.