[Department of epidemiology of the National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw in the years 1951-2011--origins of forming, developmental ways in 60 years of work].

The paper discussed the origins of forming in 1951 the Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Hygiene in Poland and its subsequent tasks. Relating to the evolving tasks, changes in the organizational structure, professional profile of the staff, main professional challenges and scientific achievements are described in 10 years cycles. Successive chapters address: scientific careers of the Department staff and contribution to scientific development of the whole institute among others; teaching and training, mainly targeted at the epidemiological service staff in Poland; editorial and publishing activities.

[Problems of prevention and control of poliomyelitis in Poland].

In the fifties and the sixties of 20th century big epidemic and increasing numbers of poliomyelitis cases were observed in Poland as well in other countries of Europe and world. Inactivated Salk's vaccine in injections as well as oral attenuated vaccine were introduced to the control and prevention of this disease. As the result of it poliomyelitis was eradicated in American, European and of West Pacific Region of WHO.

[Active immunization against acute gastro-enteritis among young children, caused by rotaviruses].

Vaccines against rotaviruses infections are the first vaccines used against gastro-enterity among young children. There are two actual used oral vaccines: Rotarix (GSK) and RotaTeq (MSD/Sanofi Pasteur). Both vaccines are live with atenuated strains of viruses.

[Proposals concerning ways of control of hepatitis B in Poland since 2008].

Improving of epidemiological situation of hepatitis B was reached by universal vaccination of infants, adolescents and vaccination of adults in high risk groups. Elimination of cases in the age group 0-10 and decreasing about 90% of number of notified cases observed in the years 1989-2004 was observed. Changes of the programme of vaccination since 2008 would be necessary to introduce.

[Hepatitis C. The most important epidemiological aspects].

Hepatitis C, caused by HCV is one of 5 kinds of hepatitis, and one of 3 bloodborne hepatitis. The courses of disease in big part of infected HCV persons are with small or even with no symptoms, and big part of infected persons develop chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or even hepatocellulare carcinoma. Control of hepatitis C is concentrated on elimination of source of infection, cutting the ways of spreading, and on therapy of cases.

[Hepatitis B and hepatitisC in 2005 in Poland. Unexpected increasing].

In 2005 the increasing of number of cases and incidence rate of hepatitis B was noted for the first time in last 12 years and in the first time in the period of intensive control of this disease. Also the high increasing of number of cases and incidence rate of hepatitis C was noted in 2005. On the basis of analysis the conclusion was withdrawn that change of the way of publication of statistical and epidemiological material introduced according to suggestions of European Commission concerning hepatitis B and C was the most important cause of this observation.

[Epidemiological situation of hepatitis B in Poland in the years 1979-2004].

Number of cases of hepatitis B in the years 1993-2004 has decreased above 88%. Incidence rate in 2004 in majority voivodships has been similar to average rates in West European countries. The high incidence rate in Poland is now due to high rates in voivodships: Lodzkie, Swietokrzyskie, Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-pomorskie as well as of persons in age 20-24 and above 65.

[Coverage of vaccination against hepatitis B in Poland in 2004].

Vaccinations against hepatitis B were performed according to Programme of Vaccination since 1989. 31,1% of population was vaccinated at the and of 2004. In voivodships vaccination was performed between 38,2% and 27,6% Children and adolescents up to 19 years old were vaccinated in 77,6% and persons older than 20 in 15,6%.

[Vaccination against hepatitis B and epidemiological situation of this disease in European countries in the years 1990-2001].

Programme of vaccination in 52 countries of European Region does not include vaccination against hepatitis B of newborns and infants in 13 countries (25,0%), of older children and adolescents in 28 countries (53,8%) and among them newborns, infants older children and adolescents in 8 countries (15,4%). The best coverage of vaccination was found in Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Romain and Lithuania. Number of cases of hepatitis B in the years 1990-2001 in 10 countries among 22 (45,4%), decreased in 6 countries (27,2%), increased in 4 countries (18,2%).

[Hepatitis A in Poland in 2003].

Epidemiological situation of hepatitis A in Poland since 1997 was evaluated as low endemicity and since 2002 as very low endemicity. High percentage of cases were noted among adult persons, especially in the age 25-29 years. The course of disease was more serious, than before 1997.

[Vaccination against hepatitis B and the risk of multiple sclerosis].

A paper on sclerosis multiplex as sequellae of vaccination against hepatitis B with recombinant vaccine was published in the journal of "Neurology" in September 2004. Problem was evaluated in United Kingdom on the ground of General Practice Research Database (GPRD). In 1996 similar problem was evaluated with negative results in several studies.

[Results of the work of sanitary-epidemiologic service in Poland during last 85 years and perspectives for the future].

Just after the First World War, when Poland received independence, activity of sanitary-epidemiological service was included as the most important in the country. In this time epidemiological situation of infectious diseases was unsuccessful, especially concerning typhus exantematicus, typhoid fever, dysentery, diphtheria, tuberculosis. National Central Epidemiological Institute and since 1923 National Institute of Hygiene together with filias in some voivodships up to 1954 were appointed as sanitary epidemiological service especially to control the infectious diseases.

[Epidemiologic aspects of viral hepatitis A and vaccination].

Epidemiological problems connected with hepatitis A in twentieth century and in the first years of twenty-first were mentioned with special attention of self-limiting of cases in the periods of very high, high, medium, low and very low endemicity. Decreasing of percentage of immunised persons was observed especially among children and young persons. It may be a cause in future of increasing of numbers of cases of hepatitis A even epidemics.

[Bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Prophylactic measures].

Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis is one of the most frequent and most serious, with fatal rate between few up to 20%. Majority of cases are caused by Neisseria meningitidis of serological groups A, B, C, as well as Y and W 135. Vaccination is the most effective prophylactic measure against meningococcal meningitidis.

[Changes in endemicity of hepatitis A in Poland].

Hepatitis cases have been reported and notified in Poland as infectious disease since 1951. Numbers of cases of hepatitis type A were estimated for the years 1970-1996, and since 1997 separate reporting and notification of this disease was introduced. Up to 1977 high endemicity, in the years 1978-1996 middle endemicity, and since 1997 low endemicity of hepatitis A have been observed.

Risk of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Polish children varies directly with number of siblings: possible implications for vaccination strategies.

Background: In the absence of an effective vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis has frequently been found to be the most common bacterial meningitis among children less than or equal to 5 years of age. This study was conducted prior to the introduction of Hib vaccine in Poland, and is the first case-control study of Hib meningitis in this country.

Methods: A 1:3 matched case-control study was nested within a population-based surveillance study of Hib meningitis in children less than or equal to 5 years old in Poland.

[History of poliomyelitis infection in the world and in Poland ].

The history of poliomyelitis infection in the world with special regards to Poland has been described. The main clinical and epidemiological features of disease have been outlined, especially these that helped to start global polio eradication initiative. Study and search for safe and effective vaccine have been presented.

[Adverse effects following vaccinations and effectiveness of different live vaccines against mumps].

The paper analyses adverse effects with special emphasis on meningitis following mumps vaccination with vaccines containing different strains of mumps virus. It also provides information on the comparative effectiveness of different types of vaccines. Information is based on the review of literature and data collected in the Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw.