Low-Incidence, High-Consequence Pathogens

Low-Incidence, High-Consequence Pathogens

nfectious diseases that have epidemic or pandemic potential and spread rapidly through a population within a short time are an ongoing public health concern in industrialized and developing countries. Frequent exposure to infectious sources (e.g., food, infected animals, and vectors) or a high rate of person-to-person spread facilitates spread of these diseases. Foodborne illnesses and seasonal...

High incidence of low vitamin B12 levels in Estonian newborns

Vitamin B12 deficiency seems to be more common worldwide than previously thought. However, only a few reports based on data from newborn screening (NBS) programs have drawn attention to that subject. In Estonia, over the past three years, we have diagnosed 14 newborns with congenital acquired vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, the incidence of that condition is 33.8/100,000 live births, which i...

Pediatric tuberculosis immigration screening in high-immigration, low-incidence countries.

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) screening in migrant children, including immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, is an ongoing challenge in low TB incidence countries. Many children from high TB incidence countries harbor latent TB infection (LTBI), and some have active TB disease at the point of immigration into host nations. Young children who harbor LTBI have a high risk of progression to TB d...

Persistent High Incidence of Tuberculosis in Immigrants in a Low-Incidence Country

Immigration from areas of high incidence is thought to have fueled the resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) in areas of low incidence. To reduce the risk of disease in low-incidence areas, the main countermeasure has been the screening of immigrants on arrival. This measure is based on the assumption of a prompt decline in the incidence of TB in immigrants during their first few years of residence i...

Low-probability High Consequence Considerations in a Multiobjective Approach to Risk Management