Potential human rabies exposure in Nunavik: importance of age and dogs

Abstract Background In Nunavik, arctic rabies is still endemic with spillover from wildlife to dogs. The prevention of human exposure and the management of potential exposure is a high public health concern there.Methods The study retrospectively described cases of potential exposure to rabies in human reported to the Nunavik Public Health Board using the registry of declared cases. Multi-correspondence analysis as well as univariable and multivariable regression models were used to appraise the difference between children and adults and the importance of dogs.Results From 2008 to 2017, 320 cases of potential exposures to rabies were reported, 92% linked to dogs. The annual incidence rate was 2.5 per 1,000 population. The incidence increased significantly during the study period without clear explanation for that. Fifteen exposures actually were with rabid animals, mostly dogs (9 out of the 15). No human cases of rabies occurred thank to adequate medical case management. Two specific profiles for potential exposure to rabies were identified based on age and gender. Children (< 15 y/o), male or female, were more likely to be exposed through playing with dogs and more often injured in the head and/or the neck. Young male adult cases (aged 15 to 34 y/o) were more involved with wildlife than other age groups and mostly injured in the upper limbs and as a reaction from the animal.Conclusions Rabies being a serious and genuine public health threat in Nunavik, potential exposure to rabies needs to be prevented and prevention measures should be tailored to the two risk profiles identified based on age, gender and the animal involved.

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Epidemiology of human exposure to rabies in Nunavik: incidence, the role of dog bites and their context, and victim profiles

10.21203/rs.2.17363/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Mediouni ◽

Mario Brisson ◽

André Ravel

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Human Exposure ◽

Age Groups ◽

Young Male ◽

Health Concern ◽

Health Board ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Potential Exposure ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

And Gender

Abstract Background: In Nunavik, Arctic rabies is still endemic due to a spillover from wildlife to dogs. The prevention of human exposure and the management of potential exposure is a significant public health concern in this region. Methods: This study retrospectively describes cases of potential exposure to rabies in humans as reported to the Nunavik Public Health Board through their registry of reported cases. We used multi-correspondence analysis as well as univariable and multivariable regression models to test for differences between children and adults in reported cases, and to examine to contexts of exposure to dogs and dog attacks. Results: From 2008 to 2017, 320 cases of potential exposure to rabies were reported, 92% of which were linked to dogs. The annual incidence rate was 2.5 per 1,000 people. The incidence increased significantly during the study period, although the reasons for this are unclear. Fifteen cases of exposure were with rabid animals, mostly dogs (9 of 15). No human cases of rabies occurred thanks to adequate medical case management. Two specific profiles for potential exposure to rabies were identified based on age and gender. The first was children (<15 y/o), male or female, who were more likely to be exposed through playing with dogs and were more often injured in the head and/or neck. The second was young male adults (aged 15 to 34 y/o), who were more involved with wildlife than other age groups and mostly injured in the upper limbs and as a result of a reaction by the animal. Conclusion: Rabies is a real public health threat in Nunavik. Potential human exposure needs to be prevented, and prevention measures should be tailored to the two risk profiles identified based on age, gender and animal species involved.

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Epidemiology of human exposure to rabies in Nunavik: incidence, the role of dog bites and their context, and victim profiles

10.21203/rs.2.17363/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Mediouni ◽

Mario Brisson ◽

André Ravel

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Human Exposure ◽

Age Groups ◽

Young Male ◽

Health Concern ◽

Health Board ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Potential Exposure ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

And Gender

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Age-Related Differences in Experiences With Social Distancing at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Computational and Content Analytic Investigation of Natural Language From a Social Media Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26043 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ryan C Moore ◽

Angela Y Lee ◽

Jeffrey T Hancock ◽

Meghan C Halley ◽

Eleni Linos

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Age Groups ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Aged People ◽

Age Related ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact ◽

Health Guidance

BACKGROUND As COVID-19 poses different levels of threat to people of different ages, health communication regarding prevention measures such as social distancing and isolation may be strengthened by understanding the unique experiences of various age groups. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine how people of different ages (1) experienced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) their respective rates and reasons for compliance or noncompliance with social distancing and isolation health guidance. METHODS We fielded a survey on social media early in the pandemic to examine the emotional impact of COVID-19 and individuals’ rates and reasons for noncompliance with public health guidance, using computational and content analytic methods of linguistic analysis. RESULTS A total of 17,287 participants were surveyed. The majority (n=13,183, 76.3%) were from the United States. Younger (18-31 years), middle-aged (32-44 years and 45-64 years), and older (≥65 years) individuals significantly varied in how they described the impact of COVID-19 on their lives, including their emotional experience, self-focused attention, and topical concerns. Younger individuals were more emotionally negative and self-focused, while middle-aged people were other-focused and concerned with family. The oldest and most at-risk group was most concerned with health-related terms but were lower in anxiety (use of fewer anxiety-related terms) and higher in the use of emotionally positive terms than the other less at-risk age groups. While all groups discussed topics such as acquiring essential supplies, they differentially experienced the impact of school closures and limited social interactions. We also found relatively high rates of noncompliance with COVID-19 prevention measures, such as social distancing and self-isolation, with younger people being more likely to be noncompliant than older people (<i>P</i><.001). Among the 43.1% (n=7456) of respondents who did not fully comply with health orders, people differed substantially in the reasons they gave for noncompliance. The most common reason for noncompliance was not being able to afford to miss work (n=4273, 57.3%). While work obligations proved challenging for participants across ages, younger people struggled more to find adequate space to self-isolate and manage their mental and physical health; middle-aged people had more concerns regarding childcare; and older people perceived themselves as being able to take sufficient precautions. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of natural language can provide insight into rapidly developing public health challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, uncovering individual differences in emotional experiences and health-related behaviors. In this case, our analyses revealed significant differences between different age groups in feelings about and responses to public health orders aimed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. To improve public compliance with health orders as the pandemic continues, health communication strategies could be made more effective by being tailored to these age-related differences.

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The incidence of pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) in pre-school and school aged children in the Eastern Slovakia

Helminthologia ◽

10.2478/helm-2018-0030 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 275-280

Author(s):

A. Dudlová ◽

P. Juriš ◽

P. Jarčuška ◽

Z. Vasilková ◽

V. Vargová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Age Groups ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Paediatric Population ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

School Age ◽

Enterobius Vermicularis ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Helminth Infections ◽

The Difference

Abstract Helminth infections caused by Enterobius vermicularis have a cosmopolitan character and most often affect the paediatric pre-school and school age population. The presented study was conducted to determine the prevalence of E. vermicularis in the analyzed population of children in the Eastern Slovakia. The Graham’s scotch tape method was used to investigate the presence of Enterobius vermicularis eggs in 390 specimens. The analyzed set consisted of 218 girls and 172 boys, divided by age into three groups - aged from 5 months to 2 years, aged from 3 to 6 years, and aged from 7 to 15 years. Investigation of perianal scotch tapes of children for the presence of E. vermicularis eggs revealed the prevalence of E. vermicularis was P = 3.59 %. Depending on the incidence of E. vermicularis infection, we detected no statistically signifi cant difference (p> 0.05). The prevalence of E. vermicularis in boys was P = 4.07 %, and in girls P = 3.21 %. The highest prevalence of E. vermicularis was recorded in the group of children aged from 3 to 6 years (P = 5.03 %). Most of the samples were positive at age 4 and 5. The lowest prevalence was in the group of children aged from 5 months to 2 years (P = 0.97 %), and the prevalence of E. vermicularis in the group of children aged from 7 to 15 was P = 3.91 %. The difference in the incidence of E. vermicularis infection among different age groups of children was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). Enterobius vermicularis nematode infection and enterobiasis currently represents a major public health problem in Slovakia. At the present its occurrence is the most frequent in the paediatric population. Therefore it is important to introduce a targeted hygienic-epidemiological measure in children’s collectives, what also should include proper and effective diagnostics and frequent recurrent therapy.

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Clonorchiasis: An emerging foodborne disease of public health concern

Nutrition and Food Processing ◽

10.31579/2637-8914/021 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 01-03

Author(s):

Mahendra Pal

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Clonorchis Sinensis ◽

Gall Stone ◽

Age Groups ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Health Concern ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Foodborne Disease ◽

Fish Food ◽

Drug Of Choice

Foodborne diseases caused by multiple etiologic agents are prevalent worldwide affecting both sexes and all age groups. Clonorchiasis is considered as an emerging major foodborne disease of public health problem as about 35 million people are infected globally. It is a foodborne helminthic zoonosis of a greater socioeconomic importance in several countries of Asia. The disease is caused by Clonorchis sinensis, which is a trematode. The infection occurs by the consumption of raw or inadequately cooked fish contaminated with metacercaria of the parasite. The clinical spectrum of disease in humans depends on the burden of parasites. In severe infections, jaundice, cholangitis, ascites, cholecystitis, formation of gall stone, and gastrointestinal bleeding are observed. Maximum cases are observed in males than females, and infection is serious in elderly persons. The diagnosis of disease can be confirmed by parasitological technique. Presently, praziquantel is the drug of choice as it has shown high cure rates in endemic areas. The education campaigns regarding the consumption of properly cooked fish and avoidance of faecal matter to ponds as a fish food are practical strategies that may help to control the disease.

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Hepatitis E

Epidemiological Research Applications for Public Health Measurement and Intervention - Advances in Human Services and Public Health ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-4414-3.ch009 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 144-156

Author(s):

Daniel Opotamutale Ashipala ◽

Nestor Tomas ◽

Medusalem Hangula Joel

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Human Population ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Health Concern ◽

Clean Water ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

District Management ◽

The Government ◽

Management Approaches ◽

Supportive Management

Hepatitis E (HEV) remains one of the foremost public health problems globally and it is estimated to have affected one-third of the human population. Usually, symptoms appear 2 to 9 weeks after exposure to the virus and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and jaundice. While the government has a duty to provide access to clean water, communities, and individuals can equally play an important role in practicing and maintaining good physical and environmental hygiene. In Namibia, the spread of HEV has been a public health concern since it's outbreak in 2017. Before then, the country had two outbreaks in 1983 and 1995-1996 which affected mainly areas lacking potable water and waste disposal facilities in Kavango region. This chapter ought to provide an overview and different prevention measures and supportive management approaches used to contain and prevent the spread of HEV. The above statistic calls for plans and actions from national, regional, district management teams to implement effective active surveillance interventions in place that are geared towards curbing the spread of HEV.

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Rabies as a Public Health Concern in India—A Historical Perspective

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed5040162 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 162 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sreejith Radhakrishnan ◽

Abi Tamim Vanak ◽

Pierre Nouvellet ◽

Christl A. Donnelly

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Financial Burden ◽

Health Concern ◽

Health Priorities ◽

Human Rabies ◽

British India ◽

Scientific Enterprise ◽

British Colonial ◽

Colonial Government ◽

Historical Treatment

India bears the highest burden of global dog-mediated human rabies deaths. Despite this, rabies is not notifiable in India and continues to be underprioritised in public health discussions. This review examines the historical treatment of rabies in British India, a disease which has received relatively less attention in the literature on Indian medical history. Human and animal rabies was widespread in British India, and treatment of bite victims imposed a major financial burden on the colonial Government of India. It subsequently became a driver of Pasteurism in India and globally and a key component of British colonial scientific enterprise. Efforts to combat rabies led to the establishment of a wide network of research institutes in India and important breakthroughs in development of rabies vaccines. As a result of these efforts, rabies no longer posed a significant threat to the British, and it declined in administrative and public health priorities in India towards the end of colonial rule—a decline that has yet to be reversed in modern-day India. The review also highlights features of the administrative, scientific and societal approaches to dealing with this disease in British India that persist to this day.

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EmergingAeromonasSpecies Infections and Their Significance in Public Health

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/2012/625023 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 108

Author(s):

Isoken H. Igbinosa ◽

Ehimario U. Igumbor ◽

Farhad Aghdasi ◽

Mvuyo Tom ◽

Anthony I. Okoh

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Soft Tissue ◽

Broad Spectrum ◽

Oral Fluid ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Enteric Pathogens ◽

Health Concern ◽

Virulence Determinants ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Public Health Concern

Aeromonasspecies are ubiquitous bacteria in terrestrial and aquatic milieus. They are becoming renowned as enteric pathogens of serious public health concern as they acquire a number of virulence determinants that are linked with human diseases, such as gastroenteritis, soft-tissue, muscle infections, septicemia, and skin diseases. Proper sanitary procedures are essential in the prevention of the spread ofAeromonasinfections. Oral fluid electrolyte substitution is employed in the prevention of dehydration, and broad-spectrum antibiotics are used in severeAeromonasoutbreaks. This review presents an overview of emergingAeromonasinfections and proposes the need for actions necessary for establishing adequate prevention measures against the infections.

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Food Sources of Energy and Nutrients of Public Health Concern and Nutrients to Limit with a Focus on Milk and other Dairy Foods in Children 2 to 18 Years of Age: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10081050 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1050 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Carol O’Neil ◽

Theresa Nicklas ◽

Victor Fulgoni

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Age Groups ◽

Food Group ◽

Food Sources ◽

Health Concern ◽

Bakery Products ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Added Sugars ◽

Dairy Foods ◽

Sweetened Beverages

Many children are not meeting current nutrient recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine the food sources of energy, nutrients of public health concern, and nutrients to limit with a focus on dairy foods. Twenty-four-hour dietary recall data from children 2–5 (n = 1511), 6–11 (n = 2193), and 12–18 years (n = 2172) participating in NHANES 2011–2014 were analyzed. Energy, fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin D, added sugars, saturated fatty acids (SFA), and sodium intakes were sample-weighted and ranked on percentage contribution to the diet using specific food group intake and disaggregated data for dairy foods. For children 2–5, 6–11, and 12–18 years, milk, sweet bakery products, and sweetened beverages, respectively were the top food sources of energy, respectively. For calcium, potassium, and vitamin D, milk was the top ranked food source in all age groups. For children 2–5, 6–11, and 12–18 years, milk, sweet bakery products, and pizza, respectively were the top three ranked food sources of SFA; and sugar sweetened beverages and sweet bakery products were to top two food group sources of added sugars. Cured meats/poultry, pizza, and pizza, respectively, were the top ranked food sources of sodium for the three age groups. Identification of food sources of these nutrients can help health professionals implement appropriate dietary recommendations and plan age-appropriate interventions.

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