[The general characteristics of the epidemic process and of the circulating streptococcal strains during an upsurge in scarlatina morbidity in Leningrad].

The dynamics of scarlet fever morbidity in Leningrad for many years was studied and the absence of any effect produced by the existing system of preventive measures against this disease for the last 30 years was shown. On the basis of epidemiological and bacteriological data the authors came to the conclusion on the unity of the epidemic process of scarlet fever in the whole city and the relatively autonomous character of the process in individual districts. The necessity of the realization of epidemiological surveillance on streptococcal infection, with special emphasis on the multilevel social structure of the city and the wide use of the bacteriological diagnosis of streptococcal diseases, is substantiated.