INSECT INCIDENCE AND DISTRIBUTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00047R000200670006-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 31, 2002
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: April 30, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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Security Information
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RE
INFORMATION REPORT
25X1
COUNTRY Finland
SUBJECT
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED BY SOURCE
DATE OF INFO g
Insect Incidence and Distribution
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
TNIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL OEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING of TITLE IN, SECTIONS 793
AND 3174, OF TNE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS T AAAAA ISSION OR NEVE.
LATION OF ITS CONTENTS TOO! RECEIPT IIY AN UNAUTHORIZED PER$ON Is
FRONIDITE0 ST LAW. THE REPRODUCTION Of THIS FORM It FROHISITEO.
CD
DATE DISTR.SO Atm '$3
NO. OF PAGES
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
25X1X
SOURCE
1. - The only disease-carrying insects ofimportance in Finland are the housefly, head
and body louse, and the malaria mosquito.
(a) 1122.2.12LIEM2L2121111k
The ordinary housefly spreads summer diarrhea, (and occasionally dysentery)
.which is prevelent in July, August and early September in most parts of the
coUntry. Concerted efforts have been and are being made to exterminate the
housefly, and much success has been achieved.
(b) Head Louse (pL_La_)edicuusumanuscaitis_.
Head lice still oecur in rural areas and occasionelly spread in out]yinc
schools. During World War II (1942), a survey, on the 25X1
prevention of head and body lice was made on 60 -thouSand cases scattered
throughout Finland. At that time due to crowded conditions (one-half mil-
lion people had been evacuated to the middle and western parts of Finlari;3)
approximately seven percent of the population had head lice, and at least
one member in three percent of the households had body lice. The incidenee
the eastern and northern provinces with its crowded and poor conditions,
twice as high compared to the southern and western parts of the country,
where liVing and housing conditions were considerably better.
Ealiz Louse (zdiculua hurarean),.
(c)
The last epidemic of typhus, transmitted by the body louse, occurred aznon.
the ciVilian population in Finland during the winter of 1956 and compri3ed
of over five-hundred caset. Delousing Vits carried out in Finnish steam
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL - Security Information -
DISTRIBUTION
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25X1A
bathhouses, and the epidemic, which had been spread by traveling gypsiee
bringing the.infeetion from :the Russiw.b.q.dre,rthe central part of
Fin-
land, was extinguished within a few
(d) The Rat Fleajimppsylla CheOplf)j and Flea
The rat flea in the past has been a vector of plague and typhus* The bedy
flea is not a serious problem in Finland*
2*- Finland has approximately one-half million steam bathhouses* Most homes in the
rural areas have their own Eteam bathhouses, and even many homes in the cities
have their awn Finnish steam bath in addition to the regular bathtubs* Therefore,
body lice today are rather rare except among the very poor rural inhabitants*
3* The Finnish Army was kept practically lice.free during World War II, using portable
bathhouses and heating chambers for the deloteing of elothes* Every battalion
had at least one bathhouse and heating chamber and all men were required to ee
both, the bathhouse and heating chamber, at least once every two weeks, u-'1 Ly
once a week,*
?
- -
Approkimately ohe-thousand cases of tyPhus occurred in the displaced person0 and
priooner-of-war camps during 1943 and 19440, but this did not red to the Fineesh
Army or the civilian population* These epidemics were extingulshed in two er
three months by Using strict delousing measures0 with bathhouses, beat chamberi
and cyanide-gas chambers*
Since theend of World WarlIj1945)0 DDT production has started in Finlan*
There are now two or three factories producing vartoue DDT produetel whieh beep
been distributed and -sold throughout Finland, and to Sote.extent experted:* '
6. The Malaria Mos ul_l_2:111.2p_mAtoa:aol'21.,
The mosquito carrying malaria does not normally cause very many mel aria caees,
due tannland4a.short, cool summers.. During World War II (19)43-1944), maaane
Spread.and,there were at lnaet one-thousand cases during the summertime, an the
paptern and southeastern parts of Finland, evidently spreading from Russia where
malarik Naga :prevalent* This was controlled with quinine and acridine medicateone.
7. During tytus epidemics and in prisoner-of-war caMpt during 1943 and 1944, the
delousing personnel had to wear protective garments, such as gloves and gowae
made tram diose/pdw4ven lilaen or cotton with sle6ves and anklets pull.e:d. togbr
with strings Or rubber bands. Masks of various types were also used, az we, LI.
as other Iledidgear* Frequent aleaninge were required of this equipment: Thie wee
done by placing all garments in portable heating chambers or in the gee chaJabcrs.
-
? , .
7
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Approved For Release 2004/03/11: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200670006-9