BACKGROUND: Visiting friends and relatives (VFRs), especially young VFRs, are increasingly recognized in the industrialized world as a high-risk group of travelers. METHODS: We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional design study of cases of malaria, hepatitis A, and typhoid reported to the Quebec registry of notifiable diseases between January 2004 and December 2007, occurring in VFRs and non-VFRs travelers. RESULTS: VFRs account for 52.9% of malaria cases, 56.9% of hepatitis A cases, and 94.4% of typhoid cases reported in Quebec travelers. Almost all (91.6%) of the malaria cases among VFRs were acquired in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. An important proportion of malaria cases among VFRs (86.4%) were due to Plasmodium falciparum. The vast majority (76.6%) of typhoid fever cases among VFRs were reported by travelers who had visited the Indian subcontinent. Among VFRs, 40% of total cases were under 20 y of age, compared to less than 6% among non-VFRs. Those under 20 years of age also accounted for 16.9% of malaria cases, 50% of typhoid cases, and 65.2% of hepatitis A cases among VFRs. CONCLUSION: Our study clearly shows that VFR children should be a primary target group for pre-travel preventive measures.
BACKGROUND: Visiting friends and relatives (VFRs), especially young VFRs, are increasingly recognized in the industrialized world as a high-risk group of travelers. METHODS: We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional design study of cases of malaria, hepatitis A, and typhoid reported to the Quebec registry of notifiable diseases between January 2004 and December 2007, occurring in VFRs and non-VFRs travelers. RESULTS: VFRs account for 52.9% of malaria cases, 56.9% of hepatitis A cases, and 94.4% of typhoid cases reported in Quebec travelers. Almost all (91.6%) of the malaria cases among VFRs were acquired in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. An important proportion of malaria cases among VFRs (86.4%) were due to Plasmodium falciparum. The vast majority (76.6%) of typhoid fever cases among VFRs were reported by travelers who had visited the Indian subcontinent. Among VFRs, 40% of total cases were under 20 y of age, compared to less than 6% among non-VFRs. Those under 20 years of age also accounted for 16.9% of malaria cases, 50% of typhoid cases, and 65.2% of hepatitis A cases among VFRs. CONCLUSION: Our study clearly shows that VFR children should be a primary target group for pre-travel preventive measures.
Authors: Brian Aw; Suni Boraston; David Botten; Darin Cherniwchan; Hyder Fazal; Timothy Kelton; Michael Libman; Colin Saldanha; Philip Scappatura; Brian Stowe Journal: Can Fam Physician Date: 2014-12 Impact factor: 3.275
Authors: Andrea K Boggild; Jennifer Geduld; Michael Libman; Cedric P Yansouni; Anne E McCarthy; Jan Hajek; Wayne Ghesquiere; Jean Vincelette; Susan Kuhn; David O Freedman; Kevin C Kain Journal: CMAJ Open Date: 2016-07-06
Authors: Ryan G Fabrizius; Kathryn Anderson; Brett Hendel-Paterson; Robyn M Kaiser; Salahudin Maalim; Patricia F Walker Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2016-10-17 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: A K Boggild; J Geduld; M Libman; B J Ward; A McCarthy; J Hajek; W Ghesquiere; J Vincelette; S Kuhn; D O Freedman; K C Kain Journal: Can Commun Dis Rep Date: 2014-09-18
Authors: Andrea K Boggild; Jennifer Geduld; Michael Libman; Brian J Ward; Anne E McCarthy; Patrick W Doyle; Wayne Ghesquiere; Jean Vincelette; Susan Kuhn; David O Freedman; Kevin C Kain Journal: Open Med Date: 2014-02-11