New foci of trichinellosis in western Romania, 2011

Abstract

Romania reported the highest incidence of trichinellosis in the world in 2004, and the figures continue to be high. This report aims to bring new information regarding 2 foci of trichinellosis that occurred in the winter of 2011 in a western Romanian region. Data were collected from the outbreak reports and hospitalization documents of the patients diagnosed with this condition. Of 22 patients admitted to hospitals, the medical records were available in 20 cases. The mean age of the study group was 37.4±13.6 years (range: 3-56) with most of them (n=7; 35%) aged 30-39 years old. The majority of the patients (n=19; 95%) were adults (≥18 years old), males (n=13; 65%) and rural inhabitants (n=13; 65%). Mylagia represented the most common clinical symptom (n=17; 85%). All but one of the patients had benign and moderately severe courses of the disease. The mean eosinophil counts and leukocyte counts were 17±10.7% and 10,162.4±3798.4 cells/mm(3), respectively. Re-emergence of trichinellosis in this region has deep roots in the population's ancestral customs and education. To limit the occurrence of the disease, new and efficient public health strategies should be designed and implemented in the nearest future.