Low Risk Perception about Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in an Area Recently Invaded By Ticks in Northwestern Italy

Risk perception, together with the adoption of measures to prevent tick bites, may strongly influence human exposure to ticks and transmitted pathogens. We created a questionnaire to evaluate how people perceive the health risk posed by ticks in an area recently invaded by these arthropods, in the western Italian Alps. Moreover, through a collaborative effort with park rangers and physicians, we investigated which tick species bite humans and their infection with pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and spotted-fever group Rickettsiae). Apart from two Dermacentor marginatus bites, we identified Ixodes ricinus (n = 124) as the main species responsible for tick bites. The investigated pathogens infected 25.4% of tested I. ricinus. The evaluation of the engorgement rate of biting I. ricinus revealed that they had been likely feeding on humans for 24 hours or more, suggesting a high probability of pathogen transmission. Indeed, the questionnaires revealed that people infrequently adopt preventive measures, such as inspecting the body for ticks, although most respondents claimed that ticks are a threat to human health. Having suffered from previous tick bites was positively associated with the adoption of personal protection measures. Given the increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases in the region, the public should be better informed about the possibility of being bitten by infected ticks in order to mitigate the risk.

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Laboratory Diagnostics of Rickettsia Infections in Denmark 2008–2015

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology9060133 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 133

Author(s):

Susanne Schjørring ◽

Martin Tugwell Jepsen ◽

Camilla Adler Sørensen ◽

Palle Valentiner-Branth ◽

Bjørn Kantsø ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Data ◽

Spotted Fever ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Laboratory Diagnostics ◽

Spotted Fever Group ◽

Tick Bites ◽

Laboratory Findings ◽

Annual Prevalence ◽

History Of ◽

Vector Borne

Rickettsiosis is a vector-borne disease caused by bacterial species in the genus Rickettsia. Ticks in Scandinavia are reported to be infected with Rickettsia, yet only a few Scandinavian human cases are described, and rickettsiosis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rickettsiosis in Denmark based on laboratory findings. We found that in the Danish individuals who tested positive for Rickettsia by serology, the majority (86%; 484/561) of the infections belonged to the spotted fever group. In contrast, we could confirm 13 of 41 (32%) PCR-positive individuals by sequencing and identified all of these as R. africae, indicating infections after travel exposure. These 13 samples were collected from wound/skin material. In Denmark, approximately 85 individuals test positive for Rickettsia spp. annually, giving an estimated 26% (561/2147) annual prevalence among those suspected of rickettsiosis after tick bites. However, without clinical data and a history of travel exposure, a true estimation of rickettsiosis acquired endemically by tick bites cannot be made. Therefore, we recommend that both clinical data and specific travel exposure be included in a surveillance system of Rickettsia infections.

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Tick-borne lymphadenopathy acquired in Serbia: Report of two cases

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp161223035g ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 75 (11) ◽

pp. 1134-1137

Author(s):

Zorica Gajinov ◽

Tatjana Ros ◽

Milana Ivkov-Simic ◽

Branislava Gajic ◽

Sonja Prcic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spotted Fever ◽

Disease Status ◽

Complete Healing ◽

Spotted Fever Group ◽

Infectious Agents ◽

Tick Bites ◽

Lymph Node Enlargement ◽

Scalp Necrosis ◽

Rickettsia Slovaca ◽

Font Color

Introduction. Acronym tick-borne lymphoadenoathy (TIBOLA (Dermacentor-borne necrosis erythema and lymphoadenopathy ? DEBONEL, scalp eschar associated with neck lymphoadenopathy ? SENLAT) comprises clinical diagnosis of tick-borne symptoms of cervical or occipital lymphadenopathy with inoculation eschar at the site of tick bite on scalp. Since the first description, it was proved to be associated with several infectious agents, most frequently Rickettsia slovaca, or less often other spotted fever group Rickettsiae (Rickettsia raoulti and Rickettsia rioja), and gained an emerging infectious disease status in Europe. Dermacentor ticks serve as vectors and possible natural reservoir. The course is in most cases benign and infection is limited. Doxicycline is the recommended initial treatment, both for adult and most cases in children. Case report. Two subjects who acquired the desease caused by tick bites in Vojvodina region of Serbia are presented. Both patients are females. A tick was removed from the scalp, and several days later doxicycline treatment started because of the inflammatory symptoms of lymph node enlargement. Diagnostic eschar appeared in both patients during doxicycline treatment. After a switch to ciprofloxacine, inflammatory symptoms subsided, but the complete healing of scalp necrosis took longer than one month, with residual cicatricial alopecia. Conclusion. Although rare, it is necessary to include TIBOLA in a spectrum of epidemiologic risks in cases of tick bites. This article has been corrected. Link to the correction <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/VSP2007765E">10.2298/VSP2007765E</a>

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IMPLEMENTATION OF FATWA ULAMA COUNCIL ACEH CONCERNING MAINTAINING FARDHU KIFAYAH FOR THE MUSLIM’S CORPSE INFECTED BY COVID 19 IN BANDA ACEH

10.31219/osf.io/cm7kj ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andri Nirwana

Keyword(s):

Health Workers ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Body Fluids ◽

The Body ◽

Analysis Approach ◽

Data Sets ◽

Infected People ◽

The Public ◽

The People ◽

Banda Aceh

Abstract: The phenomenon of the people who forcibly took covid's corpse 19 from the hospital to be taken care of by Fardhu Kifayah by his family and the community, became a conclusion that there was community doubt about the management of Tajhiz Mayat conducted by the hospital. Coupled with the circulation of the video of the Ruku movement 'in the corpse prayer conducted by unscrupulous parties at the Hospital, became added doubts from the public against the hospital. To solve this problem, this research uses a Descriptive Analysis approach, namely by formulating a question, namely How to arrange Covid 19's body in Banda Aceh and this question will be answered with several theories and data sets from the field. So it was concluded in a conclusion that answered the formulation of the problems mentioned. Theoretically the spread of covid 19 is very fast, the size of the virus is only 0.1 micrometer and is in body fluids, especially nasopharyngeal fluid and oropharyngeal fluids of infected people, fluids in the body of covid 19 bodies can get out through every gap of the body such as mouth, nose, eye and rectum, because it requires special techniques in its management. Fardhu kifayah to covid 19 bodies should be carried out by trained Ustad and trained health workers, so that the spread stopped. The results of this study concluded that the management of the Moslem bodies died at Zainal Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh was in accordance with the Fatwa of the Aceh Ulama Council (MPU) and the bodies were handled by trained Ustad and health workers.

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COVID-19 and Alcohol Poisoning: A Fatal Competition

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2021.89 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Mohammad Heidari ◽

Nasrin Sayfouri

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Mass Media ◽

The Body ◽

Ministry Of Health ◽

Alcohol Poisoning ◽

Methanol Poisoning ◽

The Public

ABSTRACT In March 2020, concurrently with the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran, the rate of alcohol poisoning was unexpectedly increased in the country. This study has attempted to make an overall description and analysis of this phenomenon by collecting credible data from the field, news, and reports published by the emergency centers and the Iranian Ministry of Health. The investigations showed that in May 20, 2020, more than 6150 people have been affected by methanol poisoning from whom 804 deaths have been reported. A major cause of the increased rate of alcohol poisoning in this period was actually the illusion that alcohol could eliminate the Coronaviruses having entered the body. It is of utmost importance that all mass media try to dismiss the cultural, religious, and political considerations and prepare convincing programs to openly discuss the side-effects of forged alcohol consumption with the public, especially with the youth. It must be clearly specified that “consuming alcohol cannot help prevent COVID-19.”

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Two Cases of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis Contracted in Southern Parts of Africa

Kansenshogaku zasshi ◽

10.11150/kansenshogakuzasshi1970.72.1311 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 72 (12) ◽

pp. 1311-1316 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mikio KIMURA ◽

Tatsuya FUJII ◽

Aikichi IWAMOTO

Keyword(s):

Spotted Fever ◽

Spotted Fever Group

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Surveillance of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Suburban Natural Habitats of Central Maryland

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa291 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew T Milholland ◽

Lars Eisen ◽

Robyn M Nadolny ◽

Andrias Hojgaard ◽

Erika T Machtinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Spotted Fever ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Spotted Fever Group ◽

Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Questing Ticks ◽

Tick Vectors

Abstract Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in the eastern United States and there is a lack of research on integrated strategies to control tick vectors. Here we present results of a study on tick-borne pathogens detected from tick vectors and rodent reservoirs from an ongoing 5-yr tick suppression study in the Lyme disease-endemic state of Maryland, where human-biting tick species, including Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) (the primary vector of Lyme disease spirochetes), are abundant. During the 2017 tick season, we collected 207 questing ticks and 602 ticks recovered from 327 mice (Peromyscus spp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae)), together with blood and ear tissue from the mice, at seven suburban parks in Howard County. Ticks were selectively tested for the presence of the causative agents of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato [s.l.]), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and ‘Panola Mountain’ Ehrlichia) and spotted fever group rickettsiosis (Rickettsia spp.). Peromyscus ear tissue and blood samples were tested for Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s), A. phagocytophilum, Ba. microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi. We found 13.6% (15/110) of questing I. scapularis nymphs to be Bo. burgdorferi s.l. positive and 1.8% (2/110) were A. phagocytophilum positive among all sites. Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. was found in 71.1% (54/76) of I. scapularis nymphs removed from mice and 58.8% (194/330) of captured mice. Results from study on tick abundance and pathogen infection status in questing ticks, rodent reservoirs, and ticks feeding on Peromyscus spp. will aid efficacy evaluation of the integrated tick management measures being implemented.

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Development and psychometric assessment of the public health emergency risk perception scale: Under the outbreak of COVID-19

International Journal of Nursing Sciences ◽

10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.12.012 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhiying Shen ◽

Zhuqing Zhong ◽

Jianfei Xie ◽

Siqing Ding ◽

Shougen Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Perception ◽

Public Health Emergency ◽

Psychometric Assessment ◽

The Public

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The Relational Public

Sociological Theory ◽

10.1177/07352751211004660 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 073527512110046

Author(s):

Paul Starr

Keyword(s):

Body Politic ◽

The Body ◽

Social Categories ◽

The Public ◽

Shared Stories ◽

Theoretical Reflection

This article sets out three ways of conceiving publics: (1) an organic conception, the public as the body politic; (2) an individualized conception, the public as an aggregate of individuals, grouped by social categories; and (3) a relational conception, in which publics are defined as open-ended networks of actors linked through flows of communication, shared stories, and civic or other collective concerns. These conceptions have emerged not only through theoretical reflection but also as the result of historical and institutional developments. Building on work from Tarde and Habermas down to recent theorists, I seek to advance the relational conception, suggest its implications for research, and highlight its connection to contemporary developments in both theory and society.

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Effect of COVID-19 on childhood Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Chengdu, China

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-02679-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ying Zhang ◽

Yijie Huang ◽

Tao Ai ◽

Jun Luo ◽

Hanmin Liu

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae ◽

Close Contact ◽

Serum Antibody ◽

Pathogen Transmission ◽

Western China ◽

Public Health Response ◽

The Public ◽

Health Response ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a change in the incidence and transmission of respiratory pathogens was observed. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the epidemiologic characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among children in Chengdu, one of the largest cities of western China. Method M. pneumoniae infection was diagnosed in 33,345 pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms at the Chengdu Women’s & Children’s Central Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020, based on a serum antibody titer of ≥1:160 measured by the passive agglutination assay. Differences in infection rates were examined by sex, age, and temporal distribution. Results Two epidemic outbreaks occurred between October-December 2017 and April-December 2019, and two infection peaks were detected in the second and fourth quarters of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Due to the public health response to COVID-19, the number of positive M. pneumoniae cases significantly decreased in the second quarter of 2020. The number of M. pneumoniae infection among children aged 3–6 years was higher than that in other age groups. Conclusions Preschool children are more susceptible to M. pneumoniae infection and close contact appears to be the predominant factor favoring pathogen transmission. The public health response to COVID-19 can effectively control the transmission of M. pneumoniae.

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