title: Murine typhus in Cyprus: a 9-year survey.
abstract: Epidemiological and clinical data of 193 human cases of murine typhus in Cyprus were recorded and analysed during a 9-year period (2000-2008). The incidence rate was estimated at 24.5 cases/100,000 population/year. The incidence rate varied considerably between rural, urban and semi-urban areas, with residents in rural areas accounting for 79.3% of the total cases. Most (72.5%) of the cases occurred in late summer (July and August) and early autumn (September to October) with a peak in September. Well-established persistent endemic foci with clusters of cases were identified and characterised as 'high risk' areas. Presence of or contact with rats and fleas, presence of domestic/peridomestic animals and residence in rural areas, especially locations near the 'green line' (a narrow zone patrolled by UN forces that separates the northern and southern parts of the island), increased the possibility of murine typhus infection. The results of the current study enhance the belief that murine typhus is a serious public health problem in Cyprus.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion-Crete, Greece. annapsa@med.uoc.gr
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Psaroulaki
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christou
authors.forename: Dimosthenis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chochlakis
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsiligianni
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sandalakis
authors.forename: Leonidas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Georgalis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ioannou
authors.forename: Giorgos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giorgalas
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tselentis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000662:veterinary; D003535:Cyprus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012621:Seasons; D005423:Siphonaptera; D013383:Suburban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014195:Travel; D014437:Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000662:veterinary; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult