Echinococcus granulosus infection in Spain.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus is an endemic disease in Spain. Although specific control programmes initiated in the 1980s have led to marked reductions in CE infection rates in Spain, the disease still remains an important human and animal health problem in many regions of the country. Human incidence and livestock (including sheep, cattle, pigs and horses) prevalence data were gathered from national epidemiological surveillance information systems and regional institutions for the period 2000-2005. Additionally, data on the prevalence of E. granulosus infection in dogs were obtained from published literature. The most affected regions were those of the North Eastern, Central and Western parts of the country, (Autonomous Regions of Aragon, Castile-La Mancha, Castile-Leon, Extremadura, Navarre and La Rioja), where human CE incidence rates in the range of 1.1-3.4 cases per 10(5) inhabitants coexist with ovine/bovine CE prevalence rates up to 23%. Control programmes of hydatidosis/echinococcosis should be reinforced in these regions to reduce the prevalence of the disease.

Waterborne outbreak of tularemia associated with crayfish fishing.

In 1997, an outbreak of human tularemia associated with hare-hunting in central Spain affected 585 patients. We describe the identification of Francisella tularensis biovar palaearctica in a second outbreak of ulceroglandular tularemia associated with crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) fishing in a contaminated freshwater stream distant from the hare-associated outbreak. The second outbreak occurred 1 year after the first.

[Brucellosis as occupational disease: study of an outbreak of air-born transmission at a slaughter house]. / La brucelosis como enfermedad profesional: estudio de un brote de transmision aerea en un matadero.

BACKGROUND: The onset of a large number of cases of brucellosis among employees at a slaughterhouse in Zaragoza where sheep from livestock culling procedures were being slaughtered, led to an investigation being made for the purpose of shedding light on the cause of this outbreak. METHODS: This study was organized into three parts: 1) Description of the outbreak 2) Study of the slaughterhouse layout and activity as regards the number of animals slaughtered, the employee workload and the degree of risk involved in each working area and 3) Unmatched case-control study. RESULTS: No significant differences were found among the attack rates by the sections of the slaughterhouse where the employees in question worked. The slaughtering analysis revealed a concomitant fluctuation between the slaughter of culled sheep and the epidemic. The case-control study revealed no significant differences for the risk factors involving working in a risk area, the use of protective measures and cuts/wounds. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak is related to the slaughter of culled sheep. The fact that no significant difference were found by sections or due to working in a risk area is compatible with an overall explanation. Nor were any differences among the employees found to exist with regard to cuts/wounds or the use of protective measures, which focuses importance on airborne spread.

[Vaccine coverage and levels of protection with triple viral vaccine in a children population]. / Cobertura vacunal y niveles de protección frente a la vacuna triple vírica en una población infantil.

The purpose of this study is to know the immunity status of children in 10th area of Madrid and the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns against rubella, mumps and measles. An epidemiological interview together with ELISA have been used to determine the antibodies rates. 87.8%, 77.3% and 69.3% children studied were found to have immunoprotection against this viral infections. These rates are lower than those recommended by WHO; however, by age groups, the study shows statistically significant increase in children aged 5 years or less, what means a progressive acceptance of measles, rubella and mumps vaccination by population.