Trichinosis in Mexico

Monday, July 5th, 2010

In recent years, reported rates of trichinosis in Mexico have decreased to levels which are comparable to those of the United States. In fact, Canada now reports the highest rates for North America (see graph). [1,2]

Chronology of trichinosis outbreaks in Mexico (primary reference available on request) [1,2]

Notable outbreaks:
1979 (publication year) – An outbreak was reported among family members in Naucalpan.
1981 (publication year) – An outbreak was reported in Villanueva, Zacatecas.
1984 (publication year) – Outbreaks were reported in Zacatecas.
1985 (publication year) – An outbreak was reported in Zacatecas.
1985 – An outbreak was reported in a government office in Federal District.
1986 (publication year) – An outbreak was reported in Durango.
1990 (publication year) – An outbreak (4 cases) among family members in Iztapalapa was caused by raw sausage.
1992 (publication year) – An outbreak (166 cases) in Delicias City, Chihuaha was caused by contaminated pork sausage.
1992 (publication year) – An outbreak (3 cases) among members of a family in Zapopan was related to consumption of raw pork.
1994 – An outbreak (7 cases) in France was associated with horsemeat imported from Mexico.
2001 (publication year) – An outbreak (5 symptomatic and 17 asymptomatic cases) was reported in Mexico State.

References:
1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Mexico, 2010. 439 pp. Gideon e-books. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-mexico/
2. Berger SA. Trichinosis: Global Status, 2010. 81 pp. Gideon e-books. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/trichinosis-global-status/

New respiratory virus infections in Canada

Monday, April 7th, 2008

Appeared in ProMED:

The following background information on “newer” viral respiratory infections in Canada was abstracted from GIDEON:

Prevalence surveys

  • Human matapneumovirus (HMPV) is found in 4.1 per cent of adults with community-acquired pneumonia (2005 publication).
  • HMPV is found in 9.5 per cent of respiratory specimens from the community and 25 per cent of outbreaks; median age was 24 months (Calgary, 2007 publication).
  • HMPV is found in 14.8 per cent of patients with acute respiratory tract infection (4 provinces, 2001 to 2002 influenza season).
  • HMPV is found in 8 per cent of acute lower respiratory tract infections (Montreal, 2001).
  • HMPV is found in 3.9 per cent of pediatric inpatients and outpatients (Alberta, 2002 to 2003).
  • HMPV is found in 6 per cent of children below age 3 years hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections (Quebec, 2001 to 2002).
  • HMPV is found in 13.5 per cent of children aged under 5 years, 26.1 per cent of children aged 6 to 10 years, 32.3 per cent of children aged 11 to 15 years, 99.0 per cent of persons agd 16 to 30 years, 91.7 per cent of adults aged 31 to 60 years, 93.8 per cent of persons aged over 60 years in Saskatchewan seropositive (2007 publication).
  • HMPV is found in 4 per cent of adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (Edmonton, 2008 publication).

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Respiratory tract viruses prevalence surveys for Canada

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

As quoted in ProMED:

Regarding recent outbreaks of human metapneumovirus infection in Saskatchewan, a large number of prevalence surveys have been published for newer respiratory tract viruses in Canada. The following are abstracted from the GIDEON Database

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV)
4.1 percent of adults with community-acquired pneumonia (2005 publication)
9.5 percent of respiratory specimens from the community and 25 percent of outbreaks – median age 24 months (Calgary, 2007 publication)
14.8 percent of patients with acute respiratory tract infection (4 provinces, 2001 to 2002 influenza season)
8 percent of acute lower respiratory tract infections (Montreal, 2001)
3.9 percent of pediatric inpatients and outpatients (Alberta, 2002 to 2003)
6 percent of children below age 3 years hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections (Quebec, 2001 to 2002)
4 percent of adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (Edmonton, 2008 publication)
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