Regarding a recent outbreak in Jujuy, recent rates of ornithoisis in Argentina are strikingly similar to those reported in the United States during the 1950′s. [1-3]

References:
1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Argentina, 2010. 410 pp. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-argentina/
2. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the United States, 2010. 996 pp. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-united-states/
3. Berger SA. Ornithosis: Global Status, 2010. 36 pp. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/ornithosis-global-status/

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/

The first cases of Lyme disease (LD) were recognized in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. Although many assume that the condition is largely limited to the United States, LD has been reported in 63 countries as of 2010, with cases in Latin America, Asia, Europe and North Africa. Surprisingly, the world’s highest LD rates are reported in Slovenia, followed by the Baltic countries and Czech Republic (see graph). [1,2]

Borrelia burgdorferi was first isolated from patients in Slovenia in 1988, and from ticks in 1993.

Prevalence surveys:
7.7% to 46% of febrile illness following tick bite
45.5% of ticks in the Italy/Slovenia transborder territory (2008 publication)

Seroprevalence surveys:
15.4% of children and young adults in Slovenia (2000 publication)
23.8% of forestry workers (ELISA, 2002)

Infecting species:
– Borrelia burgdorferi, B. afzelii and B. garinii are encountered.
– B. afzelii accounts for the majority of isolates; however, B. garinii predominates among strains cultured from cerebrospinal fluid.
– B. bissettii has been isolated from humans with Lyme disease in Slovenia.
– Borrelia spielmanii (Borrelia A14S) has been implicated in cases of erythema chronicum migrans in Slovenia.

References:
1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of Slovenia, 2010, 373 pp. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-slovenia/
2. Berger SA. Lyme disease: Global Status, 2010, 66 pp. Gideon e-book series. http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/lyme-disease-global-status/

Although less-recognized that other forms of viral hepatitis, several studies have suggested that Hepatitis E infection is common in the United States. [1,2]

Seroprevalence surveys:
21.0% of non-institutionalized Americans – with highest rates among US-born individuals, males, non-Hispanic whites, and individuals residing in the Midwest and/or in metropolitan areas (1988 to 1994)
13.6% of destitute and 15% of homeless persons in Los Angeles (2000)
2.1% of blood donors (1992 publication)
29.3% of patients with chronic liver disease (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1995 to 2006)
23% to 26% of veterinarians treating swine, compared to 18% of a control group of blood donors (1999)
10.9% of swine workers in North Carolina (2002 publication)
77% of wild rats in Maryland (1997)
73.5% of Norway rats in Baltimore (2005 to 2006)
90% of Norway rats in Hawaii (1986)
44% of Norway rats in Louisiana (1995)

References:
1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the United States, 996 pp. 2010, Gideon e-books http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-united-states/
2. Berger SA. Hepatitis D, E and G: Global Status, 92 pp. 2010, Gideon e-books http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/hepatitis-d-e-and-g-global-status/

Update: Posted in ProMED

Historical:
Tick-borne relapsing fever was first described in the United States in 1915 (Colorado).
- The first case of louse-borne infection in the United States during the twentieth century was reported in 1976 – imported from Ethiopia.

Time and Place:
Peak incidence is reported during the summer, with 47% of cases from July to August.
- The disease is most common in Arizona, California, Colorado and Oregon.
- Sporadic cases are reported from Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
- Most cases occur in the Cascade, Rocky Mountain, San Bernadino and Sierra Nevada ranges.
- 40% of cases occur in tourists to endemic areas (1977 to 2000).
(more…)

Recent reports of La Crosse encephalitis in North Carolina remind us that a number of severe arthropod-borne infections continue to appear each year in the United States. For almost four decades, California encephalitis has been the most commonly-reported disease in this group ; however, since 2000, (more…)

As America once again enters the “Lyme disease season” information regarding this major infectious disease continues to evolve rapidly. The following material has been generated using GIDEON, an interactive on line program that can be used to diagnose or explore the status of all infectious diseases: signs and symptoms, status in every country, ongoing epidemics, antibiotics, vaccines, parasites, virus … in real time. So, let’s test your knowledge about Lyme disease:

1. True or false: Lyme disease is a relatively new infection that is primarily limited to the United States.
2. You have probably heard that Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks. How many tick-borne diseases occur in the world ? In the United States ?
3. Many other infectious diseases are characterized by severe illness, involving many body systems. Are there any truly unique features to Lyme disease ?
4. How many antibiotic agents are available ? How many are effective against the bacterium that causes Lyme disease ?

I put these four questions to GIDEON … (more…)