On eliminating outbreaks of infectious diseases in NKVD camps in the Georgievsky district after the liberation of the Stavropol Krai from the Nazi invaders

Abstract

Introduction. The epidemiological state of Georgievsky district was one of the most unfavorable in the territory of Stavropol after its liberation by Soviet troops from the Nazi invaders during the Great Patriotic War. However, the reasons for the sharp deterioration of the sanitary and epidemiological situation, as well as the measures taken by the sanitary service of the Red Army to normalize the situation in epidemic foci, were not the subject of scientific research.

Materials and methods. The source base used was a set of archival documents, both previously published and introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, materials from periodicals, eyewitness accounts, and the results of previously conducted scientific research. The study follows the principles of historicism and objectivity.

Analysis. The main sources of outbreaks of infectious diseases in the Georgievsky district after its liberation from the occupiers were former Soviet servicemen who had been in German captivity and prisoners of war of the German army. In this regard, one of the most important tasks for normalizing the epidemiological situation in the district was the isolation and rapid reduction of the incidence rate of the contingent of special camp No. 261 and camp No. 147 of the NKVD of the USSR.

Results. Having failed to prevent the spread of epidemic diseases at the initial stage, in a relatively short time the specialists of the Red Army sanitary service localized the foci of infection, organized the treatment of patients and the prevention of new outbreaks of dangerous diseases. Subsequently, the contingent held in the NKVD camps did not serve as a source of the spread of infectious diseases among the civilian population of the region and their introduction into the troops.