基于区间删失数据估计方法的COVID-19潜伏期分布估计

目的 新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情已经成为全球关注的公共卫生问题,其潜伏期等流行病学特征尚不明确,本研究旨在对新型冠状病毒肺炎的潜伏期分布进行估计。方法 收集各省份卫生健康委员会官方发布信息平台的确诊病例暴露与发病信息,利用区间删失数据估计方法,基于Log-normal、Gamma和Weibull分布,对新型冠状病毒肺炎的潜伏期分布进行估计。结果 本研究共收集确诊病例109例,平均年龄为39.825岁。基于Log-normal分布的潜伏期M=4.938（P₂₅～P₇₅：3.451～7.304）d,Gamma分布的潜伏期M=5.064（P₂₅～P₇₅：3.489～7.301）d,Weibull分布的潜伏期M=5.678（P₂₅～P₇₅：3.653～7.666）d。Gamma分布的对数似然函数值最大。结论 COVID-19的潜伏期服从Gamma分布,基于区间删失数据的估计方法可用于传染病潜伏期分布的估计。     

北京市新型冠状病毒Omicron变异株的传播力研究

目的 评估新型冠状病毒Omicron变异株在北京市现有防控措施下的传播力,为做好疫情防控工作提供参考依据。方法 收集北京市2022年3月7-25日报告的78例具有明确传播链的Omicron变异株感染者信息,分别采用Gamma和Weibull分布拟合潜伏期和序列间隔时间,使用马尔科夫链蒙特卡罗算法估计实时再生数（R_t）。结果 Omicron变异株感染者潜伏期M（Q₁,Q₃）为4.0（3.0,6.0）d,序列间隔时间3.0（2.0,5.0）d,序列间隔时间在未完成和已完成全程疫苗接种感染者中M（Q₁,Q₃）分别为2.0（1.0,4.0）d和4.0（2.0,6.0）d（Z=-2.12,P=0.034）,儿童和成年人感染者分别为2.0（1.5,3.0）d和4.0（2.0,6.0）d（Z=-2.02,P=0.044）,差异均有统计学意义。本轮疫情R_t初始值为4.98（95%CI： 2.22~9.04）。结论 与既往Delta变异株相比,北京市Omicron变异株的传播力较强,应持续做好常态化疫情防控和新型冠状病毒疫苗接种工作,关注儿童易感人群。     

北京市一起新型冠状病毒Omicron变异株聚集性疫情特征分析

目的 分析北京市海淀区一起新型冠状病毒肺炎聚集性疫情流行病学特征及传播链。方法 采用描述性流行病学方法分析疫情流行病学特征,应用现场调查和大数据技术分析传播链。结果 2022年4月27日至5月13日, 海淀区发生一起新型冠状病毒肺炎聚集性疫情,全基因组测序系Omicron变异株（BA.2.2进化分支）;涉及感染者38例,确诊病例34例,无症状感染者4例;临床分型以轻型（88.2%）为主,无重型、危重型和死亡病例;早期临床症状以咽部不适（50.0%）、咳嗽（29.4%）为主;17 d内传播7代,涉及3起社区聚集、2起单位聚集和8个家庭内传播;暴露方式以同住（47.6%）、同时空暴露（31.6%）为主;代间距M（Q₁,Q₃）为3（1,6）d;总续发率为1.5%（37/2 482）,其中家庭续发率为36.7%（18/49）。结论 本起Omicron变异株疫情临床症状轻,家庭、社区聚集性明显,疫情传播速度较快,同时空暴露感染风险较高,需利用信息化技术全面摸排密切接触者,以快制快,有效阻断疫情传播。     

宁波市15起新型冠状病毒肺炎聚集性疫情的传播力研究

目的 描述新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）聚集性疫情病例的基本特征。方法 收集15起COVID-19聚集性疫情病例的基本信息,采用伽马分布拟合病例代际间隔时间（Tg）,使用基于SEIR模型计算基本再生数（R₀）。结果 15起聚集性疫情中共有确诊病例52例、涉及5例核酸阳性无症状感染者。病例发病时间主要集中在1月23日至2月4日,以女性为主,潜伏期为（6.11±3.38）d。Tg为（6.93±3.70）d,在<60岁、≥60岁组及男、女性之间,Tg差异无统计学意义（P=0.551）。按照本研究估算的Tg计算,宁波市新冠肺炎感染的R₀为3.06（95% CI：2.64~3.51）;按照文献报告的病例Tg为7.5 d计算,R₀为3.32（95% CI：2.51~9.38）。结论 COVID-19聚集性疫情病例的Tg在不同年龄、性别间差异不大,COVID-19早期致病和传播力较高。     

SEIR动力学模型辅助北京市新发地新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情传播起始时间溯源和防控效果评价

目的 推测2020年6月北京市新发地新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）疫情首例感染的传播时间起点,辅助传染病溯源,评价当前综合防控效果。方法 根据北京市卫生健康委员会官方报告统计每日发病人数,建立SEIR传染病动力学模型,基于每日发病人数拟合动力学模型,并搜寻本次疫情的传播时间起点;考虑不同的防控效果而拟合6月12日至7月1日的累计发病人数,以评估当前综合防控措施效果。结果 北京市新发地疫情传播首例感染应起始于5月22日至5月28日之间（累计概率为95%）,起始于5月25日的概率最大（23%）。本次疫情R₀为4.22（95% CI：2.88～7.02）。模型拟合结果提示,截至6月11日,累计发病为99例（95% CI：77～121）,符合实际情况。若不加控制,则截至7月1日累计发病估计将达到65 090例（95% CI：39 068～105 037）。截至7月1日,较之无防控措施的理论情况,实际感染人数减少了99%。自6月12日起,北京市采取了强有力的综合防控措施,疫情实际走势接近于传播率降低95%的推演结果,敏感性分析支持这一结果。结论 针对突发性疫情,传染病动力学模型可用来辅助推演传染病传播起始时间,辅助疫情溯源。北京市针对本次突发疫情所及时采取的综合防控措施迅速控制了95%以上的传播途径,减少了99%的感染人数,快速遏制了疫情,对于未来疫情防控具有重要的指导意义。     

一起新型冠状病毒肺炎聚集疫情传播链的调查分析

目的 分析新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）聚集疫情的传播特点，评价新型冠状病毒在潜伏期的传染性。方法 以一起发生在重庆市的COVID-19聚集疫情为研究对象，采用回顾性调查的方法，并用统一的调查表，以现场调查和电话调查相结合的方式对129名密切接触者进行线索追踪和个案调查。采用传播链示意图分析传播关系，采用接触史示意图分析传染性。结果 本起COVID-19聚集疫情由同学聚会分别引起了3起家庭（亲戚）和1起同事的聚集。R₀=3.8，潜伏期接触的感染率为17.57%，平均发病前3 d有传染性，不同的接触方式感染率差异有统计学意义（χ²=15.10，P<0.01），单次接触时间不同感染率差异有统计学意义（χ²=25.08，P<0.01）。结论 COVID-19潜伏期存在较强的传染性，越密闭狭小的空间传播风险越高，单次接触时间越长传播风险越高，存在间接接触传播方式。     

广州市2起由新型冠状病毒奥密克戎变异株引起的本地疫情流行病学参数研究

目的 本研究旨在估计广州市2起由新型冠状病毒（新冠病毒）奥密克戎变异株（BA.2）引起的本地疫情的潜伏期、序列间隔和基本再生数（R₀）等流行病学参数,探索不同场所聚集性对R₀的影响,为奥密克戎变异株疫情防控提供科学依据。方法 收集2022年4-5月广州市2起新冠病毒奥密克戎变异株本地疫情病例数据,使用Weibull、Gamma和lognormal分布对奥密克戎变异株本地疫情的潜伏期、序列间隔分布进行估计,采用指数增长法和极大似然法估计R₀。结果 两起疫情中位潜伏期为2.94（95%CI：2.52~3.38）d;中位序列间隔为3.32（95%CI：2.89~3.81）d。小型场所聚集性疫情R₀为4.40（95%CI：3.95~4.85）,机场聚集性疫情R₀为11.35（95%CI：11.02~11.67）。结论 广州市2起由新冠病毒奥密克戎变异株引起的本地疫情潜伏期较德尔塔变异株明显缩短。场所聚集程度越高,R₀越大,传播速度越快,易呈现暴发疫情,应及时调整防控策略。     

北京市新发地市场新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情相关病例的流行病学特征分析

目的 分析并比较北京市新发地市场疫情中新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）确诊病例与无症状感染者的流行病学特征。方法 收集并整理传染病报告信息管理系统中北京市新发地市场疫情中COVID-19感染者数据和流行病学调查报告资料,应用SPSS 19.0软件分析并比较确诊病例和无症状感染者的流行病学特征。结果 2020年6月11日至7月10日北京市共诊断新型冠状病毒感染者368例,其中确诊病例335例（91.03%）,无症状感染者33例（8.97%）。病例分布于11个区,其中丰台区病例数占总病例数的68.48%（252/368）。发病曲线呈现暴发流行模式,发病高峰为6月13日。全部感染者年龄M（Q_R）为43（31~51）岁,无症状感染者的年龄M（Q_R）为32（29~49）岁,低于确诊病例的年龄M（Q_R）[43（31~52）岁],差异有统计学意义（Z=2.416,P=0.016）。感染者男女性别比为1.26：1。从事餐饮及商业服务和公共场所服务的人员最多,占64.13%（236/368）。73.91%（272/368）的感染者有新发地市场直接暴露史。通过核酸筛查发现全部感染者的54.08%（199/368）。确诊病例中轻型和普通型病例占99.10%（332/335）,无死亡病例。结论 北京市新发地市场疫情呈暴发流行模式,COVID-19病例以餐饮和服务业人员为主。无症状感染者的年龄低于确诊病例。     

基于动态基本再生数的新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情防控现状评估

目的 对全国各省份的新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)疫情防控现状进行分析,建立预测模型预估现有防控措施预期成效,为决策部门提供科学信息。方法 基于COVID-19疫情网络公开数据,估计全国、各省份以及武汉市不同时间基本再生数(R0)的动态变化R₀(t),以评估在现有防控措施下,COVID-19传染速率随时间变化的趋势,预估现有防控措施的预期成效。结果 从结果稳定性考虑,选择累积确诊病例数>100例的地区进行分析,共24个省份纳入分析。在疫情初期,全国整体R₀(t)不稳定,数值较大,误差也较大。随着防控措施的进一步加强,R₀(t)普遍在1月下旬开始呈现下降趋势,2月始下降趋势稳定。截至数据分析日,纳入分析的24个省份中已有18个省份(75%)R₀(t)降到1以下。这为有条件地开放人员流动提供了信息。结论 动态R₀(t)有助于动态评估COVID-19传染速率变化情况,本次疫情防控措施已初显成效,如能继续保持,全国疫情有望短期内得到全面控制。     

基于传染病动力学模型的宁波市新型冠状病毒肺炎防控措施效果评估

目的 基于传染病动力学模型评估宁波市新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）防控措施的效果。方法 收集截至2020年3月9日宁波市COVID-19疫情个案数据、疾病进程等信息。根据防控策略落实情况,建立SEIR传染病动力学模型,计算基本再生数（R₀）和实时再生数（R_t）,评估防控效果。结果 宁波市累计确诊COVID-19病例157例,无死亡病例,重症病例比例为12.1%。从暴露到发病（潜伏期）平均（5.7±2.9）d,发病到确诊平均（5.4±3.7）d,从确诊到出院平均（16.6±6.5）d。累计医学观察105 339人,其中居家医学观察者COVID-19感染率为0.1%,集中医学观察者感染率为0.3%,确诊病例在就诊前处于医学观察期者占63.1%。估算R₀为4.8。随着防控措施的加强,R_t呈逐渐下降趋势,到2月4日下降至1.0以下,之后持续下降到2月中旬的0.2。结论 通过建立传染病动力学模型,能够有效评估宁波市COVID-19防控措施的效果,为防控策略的制定提供科学依据。     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview

This review article outlines the physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial occupational health hazards of mining and associated metallurgical processes. Mining remains an important industrial sector in many parts of the world and although substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards, there remains room for further risk reduction. This applies particularly to traumatic injury hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise. Vigilance is also required to ensure exposures to coal dust and crystalline silica remain effectively controlled.     

Manufacture and use of nanomaterials: current status in the UK and global trends

This paper provides an overview of the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs), particularly in the UK. Currently, relatively few companies in the UK are identifiable as NM manufacturers, the main emphasis being the bulk markets in metals and metal oxides, and some niche markets such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. NM manufacturing in the UK does not reflect the global emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and fibres. Some assumptions have been made about the types of NM that are likely to be imported into the UK, which currently include fullerenes, modified fullerenes and other carbon-based NMs including nanotubes. Many university departments, spin-offs and private companies have developed processes for the manufacture of NMs but may only be producing small quantities for research and development (R&D) purposes. However, some have the potential to scale up to produce large quantities. The nanotechnology industry in the UK has strong R&D backup from universities and related institutions. This review has covered R&D trends at such institutions, and appropriate information has been added to a searchable database. While several companies are including NMs in their products, only a few (e.g. manufacturers of paints, coatings, cosmetics, catalysts, polymer composites) are using nanoparticles (NPs) in any significant quantities. However, this situation is likely to change rapidly. There is a need to collect more information about exposure to NPs in both manufacturing and user scenarios. As the market grows, and as manufacturers switch from the micro- to the nanoscale, the potential for exposure will increase. More research is required to quantify any risks to workers and consumers.     

Investigating clusters in the workplace and beyond

Clusters of disease are common and occur in the workplace and in the general community. They often arouse considerable concern among the population. Investigations have sometimes lead to exciting new knowledge, but in general the investigation of clusters is difficult and often unrewarding, especially for community clusters. In the workplace, investigations are more likely to find associations and even new causes, but still many clusters remain enigmatic. Despite this, there are many reasons for investigating clusters, including allaying community concern and identifying uncontrolled exposures. A structure for investigating clusters in the workplace is suggested.     

Assessing occupational and environmental exposure

Exposure assessment is a poorly understood component of the science of epidemiology. The relationship between exposure to chemicals and ill-health outcomes is often calculated using crude exposure measures such as ever/never exposed or duration. When investigating subtle effects, exposures need to be characterized much more fully in terms of intensity, frequency, duration and route. While occupational exposures tend to be much greater than those experienced from the wider environment there is a need to remember that, for many chemicals, exposure can occur occupationally, environmentally and through consumer use of products containing the material of interest. Inhalation exposure has generally been the traditional focus for most epidemiological investigations but there is now growing awareness of the importance of the dermal and ingested routes of contact and internalization. Quantification of the exposure also needs to be related to a biological mechanism of action and exposure metrics need to be selected accordingly. Occupational exposures can generally be measured using simple well-validated techniques. Environmental exposures require much more sensitive instruments and are more difficult to assess. Exposure modelling, particularly for the environmental fate of chemicals has undergone many recent developments and Monte Carlo techniques can be used to characterize model uncertainty and variability. This approach to exposure assessment can now be used in the setting of the wider environment and will enable a far better understanding of the relationship between exposure and disease.     

Mercury toxicity due to the smelting of placer gold recovered by mercury amalgam

A 19-year-old man developed tremor in both hands and fatigue after starting work at a placer gold mine where he was exposed to mercury-gold amalgam. Examination revealed an intention tremor, dysdiadochokinesis and mild rigidity. The 24-h urinary mercury concentration reached a peak of 715 nmol/l (143 ug/l) shortly before the clinical examination, after which he was removed from working in the gold room [Mercury No. Adverse Effect Level: 250 nmol/l (50 ug/l)]. On review 7 weeks later his tremor had almost resolved and the dysdiadochokinesis and rigidity had gone. The 24-h urinary mercury concentration had fallen to 160 nmol/l (32 ug/l). The principal exposure to mercury was considered to be the smelting of retorted gold with previously unrecognized residual mercury in it. The peak air concentration of mercury vapour during gold smelting was 0.533 mg/m3 (Mercury Vapour ACGIH TLV: 0.05 mg/m3 TWA). Several engineering and procedural controls were instituted. This episode occurred at another mine site, unrelated to Mount Isa Mines Limited.     

How Adults with Acquired Brain Damage Perceive Computer Training as a Rehabilitation Tool: A Focus-group Study

The aim of this study was to explore and describe how adult outpatients with acquired brain damage and referred to occupational therapy perceive computer training with the RehaCom programs, in order to evaluate the method of treatment as a tool in the rehabilitation of persons with cognitive disorders. By using focus-group discussions as a qualitative method of research when analysing the result, five themes with corresponding categories emerged, describing a development of understanding and learning about capacities. Themes describing how the participants could apply strategies to overcome shortcomings in daily occupations and the therapeutic role of the occupational therapist were identified as well. The result shows that a computer training program such as RehaCom can be used as an educational tool, for example, to guide a person who is trying to adopt compensatory strategies to avoid overload by taking pauses. It was found that anything the participants learned was also applicable to occupational performance in daily life.