Travel-related zoonotic diseases associated with human exposure to rodents: a review of GeoSentinel Surveillance Data, 1996 - 2011 Público

Abstract

Current knowledge of the incidence and risk factors associated with rodent-borne
zoonoses in travelers is limited. Travelers and physicians alike must be properly
educated so that they are aware of the risks and the protective measures that should be
taken. This study investigated rodent-borne zoonoses in travelers and associated risk
factors using GeoSentinel, a multi-site global surveillance network established for the
surveillance of travel-related morbidity. 18 rodent-borne zoonoses were chosen for
analysis. This study analyzed only diseases that were either directly transmitted from
rodents to humans (including contact with infected urine or droppings) or indirectly
transmitted via an arthropod reservoir, where the rodent plays a major role in the life
cycle of the disease. Over a 15 year span there were 962 reports of illness associated
with one or more of these 18 rodent-borne zoonotic diseases. Ill travelers with rodent
zoonoses were found to be significantly more likely to be male and traveling as tourists
than those ill travelers with some other diagnosis. Adventure travel and risky behavior
may increase the risk of contact with rodent zoonoses for both groups, as males were
more likely to engage in adventure travel than females and tourists were also more likely
to engage in risk taking behavior. Further, when compared to all other ill travelers, those
with rodent zoonoses were 21 times more likely to have been exposed in South America,
12 times more likely to have been exposed in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 11 times more
likely to have been exposed in Central America. Travelers to these areas should be aware
of their increased risk of contracting a rodent-borne zoonosis and should take proper
preventative measures. Analysis of the GeoSentinel database can provide epidemiologic
information about rodent-borne zoonoses in travelers and ultimately decrease the disease
burden in this population.

Table of Contents

Background...1 Literature Review...4 Directly Transmitted Rodent Zoonoses...4

Indirectly Transmitted Rodent Zoonoses...6

Rodent Zoonoses in Travelers...11

Methods...13

Hypotheses...13

Objectives....13

Dataset...14

Rodent Zoonoses Classification...14

Variable Descriptions...15

Comparison Groups...15

Analysis Plan (Specific Aims)...15

Sample Size and Power Calculations...16

Results...18

Discussion...23

Strengths and Limitations...25

Future Directions...26

References...27

Tables...29

Appendix 1...42

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Epidemiology
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Epidemiology
Palabra Clave	rodent GeoSentinel zoonoses travelers
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	McGowan Jr., John E, Emory University
Committee Members	Marano, Nina, CDC
Partnering Agencies	CDC

Última modificación

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Travel-related zoonotic diseases associated with human exposure to rodents: a review of GeoSentinel Surveillance Data, 1996 - 2011 ()	2018-08-28 16:18:56 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions