Murine typhus among Arabs and Jews in Israel 1991--2001.

The aim of this study was to explore the incidence and differences in the epidemiology of murine typhus between Jews and Arabs in Israel. Between 1991 and 2001, 406 cases of murine typhus were diagnosed; 57% of cases occurred between August and November. Differences between Arabs vs. Jews regarding mean yearly incidence (1.84 vs. 0.35/100,000 people; p = 0.003), median age (35 vs. 44 years; p < 0.001), and male:female ratio (1:1 vs. 1.3:1; p = 0.009), were found. Control measures to decrease morbidity of murine typhus should take into consideration the socio-economic and environmental factors influencing the differences observed.