title: Caterpillar-associated rashes in children - Hillsborough County, Florida, 2011.
abstract: In March and April 2011, the Hillsborough County Health Department (HCHD) Epidemiology Department (Tampa, Florida) investigated three clusters of rash illness linked to the white-marked tussock moth caterpillar among persons at two child care centers and one elementary school. At least 23 children and one adult were affected; most had direct contact with caterpillars. HCHD provided recommendations on treatment and preventing caterpillar exposure to the three facilities, health-care providers, and local agencies, and through local news media. Child care centers and elementary schools in Hillsborough County previously have experienced caterpillar-associated rash outbreaks in 2004 and 2005. Awareness of this problem, particularly during periods of caterpillar infestation, can minimize morbidity and help to avoid inappropriate diagnoses and treatment by health-care providers.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005076:Exanthema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva; D009036:Moths