Publications by authors named "Manon Blackburn"
Background: Travel-related shigellosis is not well documented in Canada although it is frequently acquired abroad and can cause severe disease.
Objectives: To describe the epidemiology of travel-related cases of shigellosis for Quebec (Canada) and to identify high-risk groups of travelers.
Method And Data Sources: We performed a random sampling of 335 shigellosis cases (from a total of 760 cases) reported in the provincial database of reportable diseases from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2007.
Article Synopsis
- Young travelers visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) are considered a high-risk group for diseases like malaria, hepatitis A, and typhoid, particularly in Quebec from 2004 to 2007.
- The study found that VFRs represent a significant majority of reported cases, with 52.9% of malaria, 56.9% of hepatitis A, and 94.4% of typhoid cases being among them, mostly acquired during trips to Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
- Notably, 40% of the cases in VFRs were individuals under 20 years old, indicating that children in this demographic should be prioritized for preventive health measures before traveling.
Context: In 1994, immunization against hepatitis B was implemented in schools in Quebec, targeting grade 4 students. In 1996-1997 and 1997-1998, one Local Community Service Centre (CLSC) replaced the school-based program in its district with vaccination offered in community clinics after school hours. The aim of the current study was to compare the effectiveness and costs of school-based and clinic-based programs.
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