Shigella dysenteriae Type 1 Epidemics in Refugee Camps
Author Information
Author(s): Kernéis Solen, Guerin Philippe J., von Seidlein Lorenz, Legros Dominique, Grais Rebecca F.
Primary Institution: Epicentre, Paris, France
Hypothesis
What are the characteristics and impacts of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 outbreaks in refugee settings?
Conclusion
The study highlights the critical need for data collection during epidemics and the importance of rapid response to reduce the impact of outbreaks.
Supporting Evidence
- A total of 181,921 cases of bloody diarrhea were reported between November 1993 and February 1995.
- Attack rates ranged from 6.3% to 39.1% across different camps.
- The case fatality ratios were higher in children under age 5, with the highest being 18.3%.
Takeaway
This study looked at how a germ called Shigella caused a lot of sickness in refugee camps, especially among young children, and showed that quick help can make things better.
Methodology
Data on cases of bloody diarrhea and deaths were collected weekly from 11 refugee camps and analyzed retrospectively.
Potential Biases
The reliance on clinical definitions and surveillance data may lead to underreporting of cases.
Limitations
Data was not consistently available for all camps, and assumptions were made regarding population sizes and missing data.
Participant Demographics
The majority of cases were among children under age 5, with higher case fatality ratios observed in this group.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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