Infektološki glasnik, Vol. 33 No. 1, 2013.
Stručni rad
Lyme disease in the area of Bjelovarsko-bilogorska County – negligible or neglected disease
Darko Ropac
; Studij sestrinstva, Visoka tehnička škola, Bjelovar, Hrvatska
Mirjana Holubek
; Studij sestrinstva, Visoka tehnička škola, Bjelovar, Hrvatska
Vesna Grgić
; Zavod za javno zdravstvo, Bjelovarsko-bilogorska županija, Bjelovar, Hrvatska
Ina Srašević
; Studij sestrinstva, Visoka tehnička škola, Bjelovar, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The aim of this article is to warn against incomplete reporting of Lyme disease in the area of Bjelovarsko-bilogorska County. Data obtained from the Institute of Public Health of Bjelovarsko-bilogorska County and the Croatian National Institute of Public Health were used in this paper. All registered cases of Lyme disease in Bjelovarsko-bilogorska County were retrospectively analyzed. This research refers to a five year period (2007–2011). For each person suffering from Lyme disease data regarding sex, age, time of acquiring the disease and place of residence were analyzed. Basic epidemiological data in the area of this County were compared to the ones in the area of the Republic of Croatia. In Bjelovarsko-bilogorska County a total number of 32 cases of people suffering from Lyme disease were reported. The average annual morbidity amounted to 4.46/100,000, while during the same five year period 2,128 cases of people suffering from Lyme disease were registered in Croatia, with the morbidity being 6.51/100,000. Two thirds of patients were males, which differs from data related to the area of Croatia, where the sex ratio is approximately equal. Most patients were registered between May and August, while in Croatia this period is prolonged until October. Considering the ecological characteristics of Bjelovarsko-bilogorska County, it can be assumed that the actual number of people suffering from Lyme disease is significantly higher, but patients failed to consult a physician. Patients were probably also not registered. Due to potential serious consequences in the later stage of the disease, Lyme disease is definitely not a negligible disease. Therefore, neither patients nor medical staff should neglect it.
Ključne riječi
Lyme disease; Epidemiological characteristics; Bjelovarsko-bilogorska County; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
106538
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.3.2013.
Posjeta: 1.587 *