[Epidemic outbreak of tularemia in Palencia].
BACKGROUND
Tularemia can become a health problem after its recent emergence in Spain.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinico-epidemiologic characteristics of a tularemia outbreak occurred in Palencia (October 1997 to March 1998).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
A clinico-epidemiologic survey was conducted. The Chi square test and the Student "t" test were used and a logistic regression analysis was made. The diagnosis was made by serology (microagglutination or macroagglutination) or culture.


RESULTS
There were 151 cases; 74.5% of cases were confirmed or likely. The ulceroglandular was the most common clinical form of the disease (49%) and 23.2% of patients required hospital admission; 93.4% of patients had exposure to hares, and 86.7% of them handled them. Higher risk practices included skinning (adjusted OR: 3.9; 95% CI [1.03-14.7]; p = 0.04) and cutting/cooking (adjusted OR: 2.7; 95% CI [1.01-6.7]; p = 0.03). Streptomycin therapy was used for 51.6% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinico-epidemiologic surveillance of this disease in Spain is necessary.
Andrés Puertas
C
C
Servicio Territorial de Sanidad y Bienestar Social de Palencia, Sección de Epidemiología.
Mateos Baruque
M L
ML
Burón Lobo
I
I
González Megido
M J
MJ
Rebollo Cuadrado
C
C
Sangrador Arenas
L A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014406:Tularemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013307:Streptomycin