Publications by authors named "Marie de Perio"
Analysis of Mpox by Occupation and Industry in Seven U.S. Jurisdictions, May 2022-March 2023.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
October 2024
During responses to outbreaks, the collection and analysis of data on employed case patients' industry and occupation are necessary to better understand the relationship between work and health outcomes. The occurrence of mpox by occupation and industry has not previously been assessed in the context of the 2022 outbreak. We analyzed employment data from 2548 mpox cases reported to the U.
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- A significant outbreak of blastomycosis, a serious fungal infection, occurred among workers at a paper mill in Delta County, Michigan, affecting 131 patients from December 2022 to July 2023.
- Hospitalization rates were notable, with 12% requiring hospitalization, and factors like diabetes and elevated urine antigen levels were linked to more severe cases.
- This outbreak is the largest recorded in the U.S., highlighting the importance of early diagnosis to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and improve treatment outcomes.
Background: Outbreaks of emerging multidrug-resistant organisms (eMDROs), including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida auris, have been reported among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients. We describe eMDRO clusters in SARS-CoV-2 units and associated infection control (IC) practices early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective survey of a convenience sample of health departments in 11 states to describe clusters of eMDROs that began before November 1, 2020 and involved SARS-CoV-2 units.
Article Synopsis
- The study focuses on COVID-19 mitigation measures in workplaces where U.S. blood donors are employed, analyzing how these measures differ by industry and work arrangement.
- Data was collected from over 53,000 respondents between May and December 2021, revealing varied implementation of measures like ventilation upgrades (20% overall), telework access (53% overall), and mask requirements (84% overall), with fewer measures reported by independent workers.
- The findings suggest that mitigation strategies should be customized for specific industries and job types, as a uniform approach may not effectively address unique workplace challenges related to disease transmission.
Objectives: The risk for mpox virus (MPXV) transmission in most workplaces has not been thoroughly assessed in the context of the 2022 global mpox outbreak. Our objectives were to describe mpox case patients who worked while infectious and the subsequent workplace contact tracing efforts, risk assessments, and outcomes.
Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requested information from health departments in the United States in September 2022 to identify people with confirmed or probable mpox who worked outside the home while infectious, either before or after diagnosis, from June 1 through August 31, 2022.
Introduction: Healthcare personnel are at risk for acquiring and transmitting respiratory infections in the workplace. Paid sick leave benefits allow workers to stay home and visit a healthcare provider when ill. The objectives of this study were to quantify the percentage of healthcare personnel reporting paid sick leave, identify differences across occupations and settings, and determine the factors associated with having paid sick leave.
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- The study aims to identify and estimate U.S. workplace COVID-19 outbreaks from August to October 2021, particularly in sectors with essential workers like healthcare and education.
- Data was collected from 23 health departments, revealing a total of 12,660 workplace outbreaks, with a significant portion occurring in healthcare (35.9%) and educational settings (33.4%).
- The findings highlight the ongoing issue of COVID-19 transmission at work, indicating a need for comprehensive prevention strategies, as many health departments provided assistance mainly in mitigation consultations (80.1%).
This article describes 313 healthcare providers in Colorado who were exposed to patients with monkeypox and had low rates of personal protective equipment use and postexposure prophylaxis vaccination. Despite this, through 21 days of follow-up, none of the healthcare providers had acquired monkeypox infection, suggesting the risk for acquiring monkeypox among U.S.
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- In August 2022, a nurse in Florida contracted monkeypox from a patient while on the job, marking the first reported case in the U.S. related to occupational exposure.
- Cases of monkeypox among healthcare personnel have been uncommon during the 2022 multinational outbreak.
- The report emphasizes the need for preventive measures to protect healthcare workers from acquiring monkeypox in the workplace.
Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel - United States, 2021-22.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- * A survey of 3,618 U.S. HCP revealed that 79.9% got vaccinated for influenza, 87.3% completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series, and 67.1% received a COVID-19 booster shot, with coverage being lowest among assistants, aides, and those in settings without employer vaccine mandates.
- * Higher vaccination rates were found among HCP whose employers required vaccinations, with rates between 95.8% and 97.3% for flu and up to 87
Health Care Personnel Exposures to Subsequently Laboratory-Confirmed Monkeypox Patients - Colorado, 2022.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
September 2022
The risk for monkeypox transmission to health care personnel (HCP) caring for symptomatic patients is thought to be low but has not been thoroughly assessed in the context of the current global outbreak (1). Monkeypox typically spreads through close physical (often skin-to-skin) contact with lesions or scabs, body fluids, or respiratory secretions of a person with an active monkeypox infection. CDC currently recommends that HCP wear a gown, gloves, eye protection, and an N95 (or higher-level) respirator while caring for patients with suspected or confirmed monkeypox to protect themselves from infection (1,2).
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- Employer vaccination requirements significantly increased COVID-19 vaccination rates among healthcare personnel (HCP), with 90.5% of those subject to these requirements being vaccinated compared to only 73.3% of those without.
- The study utilized a nationally representative sample of US adults, analyzing responses from HCP regarding their vaccination status and attitudes, focusing on how employer requirements influenced these factors.
- Findings indicated that vaccination requirements helped reduce disparities in vaccine uptake among various sociodemographic groups, particularly among younger HCP, those with lower education levels, and individuals living in poverty or without insurance.
Article Synopsis
- Group bacteria with anthrax toxin genes can lead to deadly anthrax pneumonia in welders.
- Two cases from 2020 were investigated to find the source of exposure, involving environmental sampling of soil and dust at the patients' worksites.
- The investigation revealed that while one patient's samples showed positive results for anthrax toxins, including matching the patient's clinical isolate, the other patient's samples tested negative, highlighting the importance of workplace assessments to reduce exposure risks.
Article Synopsis
- * The paper reviews literature on this illness, termed "welder's anthrax," detailing epidemiology, including two specific cases from 2020.
- * It discusses health risks linked to welding, mechanisms of infection, prevention strategies, and the importance of controlling exposure to welding fumes to reduce disease transmission in the workplace.
Article Synopsis
- * Analysis of data from March 2020 to March 2021 indicated that HCP were more likely to report health care-related exposures during high community incidence periods, suggesting a strong link between workplace risks and local COVID-19 rates.
- * The study emphasizes the importance of collecting detailed work-related data for better understanding and improving infectious disease surveillance in health care settings.
Article Synopsis
- Healthcare personnel are at a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure, and data on their vaccination rates is limited.
- A survey of 2,434 healthcare workers showed that 68.2% received at least one vaccine dose, with physicians showing the highest rates, while significant racial and occupational disparities existed in vaccination uptake.
- The main motivations for getting vaccinated included protecting oneself and others, while concerns about side effects were the leading reasons for not getting vaccinated; addressing these issues is crucial for improving vaccination rates among healthcare personnel.
Article Synopsis
- In environments where histoplasmosis is common, jobs involving contact with soil contaminated by bird or bat droppings can increase the risk of infection.
- Occupational exposures are often linked to outbreaks of histoplasmosis, highlighting the need for awareness in certain professions.
- The paper reviews available literature on occupationally acquired histoplasmosis, discussing its epidemiology, risk factors for workers, and prevention strategies based on a hierarchy of controls.
Article Synopsis
- The commentary proposes a framework for using SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing specifically for unexposed asymptomatic workers in selected workplaces.
- It draws on established safety and health principles, along with various research sources, to support its recommendations.
- The conclusion highlights that antigen testing is a valuable public health tool that can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces when implemented thoughtfully as part of a broader prevention strategy.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates COVID-19 deaths among first responders during the early pandemic phase (March 30 - April 30, 2020) using media reports and data from 19 US public health jurisdictions.
- A total of 97 COVID-19-related deaths were identified, with 66 occurring in law enforcement and 31 in fire/emergency medical services; some deaths reported by jurisdictions were not captured by media.
- The research highlighted that media scanning had an 88% sensitivity in identifying deaths but lacked detailed information on underlying conditions, suggesting that better data collection on occupations could enhance understanding of COVID-19's impact on workers.
Candida auris Outbreak in a COVID-19 Specialty Care Unit - Florida, July-August 2020.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
January 2021
In July 2020, the Florida Department of Health was alerted to three Candida auris bloodstream infections and one urinary tract infection in four patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who received care in the same dedicated COVID-19 unit of an acute care hospital (hospital A). C. auris is a multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause invasive infection.
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- The paper discusses the essential background information that employers, workers, and health authorities need regarding pooled testing of employees.
- It emphasizes that pooled testing can be especially beneficial in areas with low COVID-19 prevalence by lowering testing numbers and costs.
- Effective pooled testing should be integrated into a wider workplace COVID-19 prevention strategy and can help prevent the spread of the virus among asymptomatic employees.
Occupational respiratory infections can be caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Transmission in occupational settings can occur from other humans, animals, or the environment, and occur in various occupations and industries. In this article, we describe 4 occupationally acquired respiratory infections at the focus of NIOSH investigations over the last decade: tuberculosis (TB), influenza, psittacosis, and coccidioidomycosis.
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