Public health reviews
-
Ten species of venomous snakes belonging to three families occur in Israel and in Jordan, some of which may pose a serious threat to humans. Specific, local antivenins are available against only two of the species, while against others regional or European preparations are used. It is suggested that in addition to the monospecific anti-Vipera palaestinae, a polyspecific antivenin be prepared against the clinically most important venomous snakes of the region, namely, Echis coloratus, Pseudocerastes fieldi, Cerastes cerastes, Walterinnesia aegyptia, and Atractaspis engaddensis.
-
Soldiers in field units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are susceptible to injury by various poisonous animals during training and operations. Bites and envenomations by animals such as snakes, scorpions, and spiders can be painful and debilitating, and at times life-threatening. We have examined the extent of exposure of IDF soldiers to snake and arthropod bites and the morbidity resulting from these encounters. ⋯ Poisonous animal species pose a significant threat to the soldiers of the IDF. Overall, envenomation is a common and widespread problem that has significant impact on the military medical system, especially during the spring and summer months. It is possible through institution of proper preventive measures to decrease the exposure of IDF personnel to this environmental hazard.
-
Public health reviews · Mar 1994
Measles during the Gulf War: a public health threat in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
A measles outbreak began in Ramallah District in the West Bank in the period just before the outbreak of the Gulf War in 1991. After a local control program, the outbreak was contained to a total of 236 reported cases, including one death, but sporadic cases appeared over the ensuing months. An epidemic of measles followed 2-3 weeks later in Beer Sheva district in Israel, initially among the Bedouin population just prior to the outbreak of the war, then spreading to the Jewish population. ⋯ An epidemic of a preventable disease occurring during a national emergency adds to the burdens of the health system. The public health system must be prepared to contain epidemics and other public health threats in wartime, employing standard control methods developed and practiced during peacetime. Routine immunization policies should take into account the possibility of a civilian epidemic during national emergencies, and the need to assure protection of both the civilian and military population in preparation for such contingencies.
-
Public health reviews · Apr 1993
Exposure to nitrogen oxides and other air pollutants from automobiles.
We have conducted an epidemiological study to investigate the association between exposure to automobile exhaust and respiratory health. Three zones were selected in Tokyo according to expected exposure levels. Zone A is within 20 meters from the roadside of major roads with heavy traffic. ⋯ These results suggest that exposure to automobile exhaust may be associated with respiratory symptoms. Nevertheless, pulmonary function didn't show consistent differences over all examinations. We should have further analyses about a decline of pulmonary function with age.