title: Outbreak of cutaneous larva migrans in a group of travellers.
abstract: We describe an outbreak of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) in a group of 140 holidaymakers to a resort in Barbados and the index case. methods A two-page questionnaire was mailed to holidaymakers and 90% responded. results 25.4% of respondents developed a rash consistent with CLM. Risk factors for developing the illness were younger age and less frequent use of protective footwear while walking to the beach. Patients had difficulty in obtaining a correct diagnosis during their initial medical consultation and in obtaining medication from pharmacies. Efficacious treatments were oral and topical thiabendazole. conclusions CLM can occur in a large proportion of people exposed to contaminated soil or sand. Protective footwear is effective in reducing infection. Thiabendazole is an efficacious treatment.
authors.affiliation: McGill Center for Tropical Diseases, Montreal General Hospital, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: MacLean
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gyorkos
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Macpherson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007815:Larva Migrans / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D014195:Travel