Tularemia on Martha's Vineyard: seroprevalence and occupational risk.
We conducted a serosurvey of landscapers to determine if they were at increased risk for exposure to Francisella tularensis and to determine risk factors for infection. In Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, landscapers (n=132) were tested for anti-F. tularensis antibody and completed a questionnaire. For comparison, serum samples from three groups of nonlandscaper Martha's Vineyard residents (n=103, 99, and 108) were tested. Twelve landscapers (9.1%) were seropositive, compared with one person total from the comparison groups (prevalence ratio 9.0; 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 68.1; p=0.02). Of landscapers who used a power blower, 15% were seropositive, compared to 2% who did not use a power blower (prevalence ratio 9.2; 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 69.0; p=0.02). Seropositive landscapers worked more hours per week mowing and weed-whacking and mowed more lawns per week than their seronegative counterparts. Health-care workers in tularemia-endemic areas should consider tularemia as a diagnosis for landscapers with a febrile illness.
Feldman
Katherine A
KA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. kfeldman@cdc.gov
Stiles-Enos
Donna
D
Julian
Kathleen
K
Matyas
Bela T
BT
Telford
Sam R
SR
Chu
May C
MC
Petersen
Lyle R
LR
Hayes
Edward B
EB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014406:Tularemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission