Open AccessHuman brucellosis in Gaza Strip, Palestine
Author(s) -
Romane A. Awad
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/1998.4.2.225
Subject(s) - brucellosis , gaza strip , incidence (geometry) , palestine , medicine , environmental health , veterinary medicine , risk factor , demography , ancient history , physics , sociology , optics , history
The magnitude of the brucellosis problem in the Gaza Strip and the exposure to risk factors among cases were investigated. The incidence of brucellosis in 1996 was 8/100 000. The age-specific incidence rate was approximately equal in all age groups, with a mean age of infection of 20 years. Cases were reported from all districts, with a particularly high incidence in the Mid-zone district and Gaza City, and most cases had onset of illness in spring and summer. The main reported risk factor was consumption of milk and milk products, especially home-made cheese [70.4%], and 22.2% of cases were among animal breeders. The proportion of chronic and relapsing cases was very high [17%]