[Water-borne campylobacter infection--probably caused by pink-footed geese. Two outbreaks in Nord-Trøndelag, Stjørtdal in 1994 and Verdal in 1995]. / Vannbåren campylobacterinfeksjon--trolig forårsaket av kortnebbgjess. To epidemier i Nord-Trøndelag, Stjørdal i 1994 og Verdal i 1995.

The authors describe two water-borne outbreaks of Campylobacter gastroenteritis that occurred in central Norway in 1994 and 1995. The epidemics were probably caused by contamination of drinking water by the stools of Pink-footed geese on the way from Svalbard to Germany-Netherlands. Campylobacter jejuni from the stools of the geese was transmitted to the population via untreated drinking water, causing disease in 50% of the population. About 1,000 persons suffered from gastroenteritis caused by contaminated drinking water in these two epidemics.

[Pulmonary function in Norwegian farmers keeping domestic animals]. / Lungefunksjon blant norske husdyrbønder.

In a group of farmers keeping domestic animals, all pulmonary function tests, except for PEF, showed lower values than in a Norwegian reference population. Spirometric values for FVC, FEV1, and PEF were higher among pig farmers than among other farmers. Poultry farmers had lower values of PEF compared to other farmers. One third of all farmers had values of FEF25-75% that were depressed more than 20%, possibly indicating that the smaller, more peripheral airways more frequently are affected than the central airways. No single causal factor for the reduced lung function was found, but farmers that worked in newer cow-stables had a lower lung function than other farmers, especially if the houses were built in the interval 1975-84.

[Respiratory tract symptoms among farmers keeping animals in Midt-Norge]. / Luftveissymptomer blant husdyrbønder i Midt-Norge.

In this survey from central Norway, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in a representative sample of 1,580 farmers who kept domestic animals was compared with the prevalence of such symptoms among 655 controls, both sexes included. The farmer group experienced more symptoms that were exacerbated by work than the controls did (mucous membrane irritation 19% versus 10%, tightness in the chest 7% versus 4%, dyspnoea 4% versus 1% and cough with phlegm 25% versus 22%). No difference could be found between the groups as regards the prevalence of organic dust toxic syndrome or chronic bronchitis. The occurrence of symptoms was correlated to the number of working hours per day, and to the number of years the person had worked with animals. Farmers who kept cattle, pigs or poultry all showed raised prevalence of respiratory symptoms. The results indicate that the working environment of farmers who kept domestic animals may cause respiratory disorders.