1
|
Haire G, Gleeson D, Reid A. COVID-19 vaccination uptake and hesitancy reasons in food production workers. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:3105-3108. [PMID: 36944843 PMCID: PMC10030338 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food production sites have been a high-risk location for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks worldwide since early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Ireland has a high population rate of COVID-19 vaccination, but reports from food production sites suggest uptake is lower amongst workers despite prior outbreaks at these workplaces. AIMS To study COVID-19 vaccination rates, intent to undertake future vaccination and hesitancy reasons in food production workers. METHODS Data regarding vaccination status was collected via an online survey from workers at 8 food production sites in Ireland; those who were unvaccinated were asked for reasons for being unvaccinated and likelihood to future vaccination. Respondents were also asked for their usual trusted source of medical information. RESULTS N = 355 responses were received. The crude vaccination rate is 86% (N = 306). Those employed in the general operative class are more likely to be unvaccinated (N = 30; 18%) when compared to unvaccinated in all other job classes (N = 16; 9%: p < 0.01). The rate of vaccination is lower in those not born in Ireland compared to those born in Ireland (N = 110, 73% vs N = 192; 98%: p < 0.001). N = 35 (76%) of unvaccinated workers report they are very unlikely or unlikely to undertake vaccination in the future. CONCLUSIONS There is an observed lower-than-national vaccination rate in food production workers. Rates are lowest amongst those workers born overseas; targeting these groups with information responding to their concerns may increase uptake and reduce current and future health inequalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Haire
- Medwise Occupational Health Services, Unit 32 Naas Town Centre, Naas, Kildare, Ireland.
- Faculty Occupational Medicine, RCPI, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Deirdre Gleeson
- Medwise Occupational Health Services, Unit 32 Naas Town Centre, Naas, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Alex Reid
- Occupational Health Department, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin 24, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Madhusudanan A, Iddon C, Cevik M, Naismith JH, Fitzgerald S. Non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19: a systematic review on environmental control measures. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2023; 381:20230130. [PMID: 37611631 PMCID: PMC10446906 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2023.0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this review was to identify the effectiveness of environmental control (EC) non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through conducting a systematic review. EC NPIs considered in this review are room ventilation, air filtration/cleaning, room occupancy, surface disinfection, barrier devices, [Formula: see text] monitoring and one-way-systems. Systematic searches of databases from Web of Science, Medline, EMBASE, preprint servers MedRxiv and BioRxiv were conducted in order to identify studies reported between 1 January 2020 and 1 December 2022. All articles reporting on the effectiveness of ventilation, air filtration/cleaning, room occupancy, surface disinfection, barrier devices, [Formula: see text] monitoring and one-way systems in reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 were retrieved and screened. In total, 13 971 articles were identified for screening. The initial title and abstract screening identified 1328 articles for full text review. Overall, 19 references provided evidence for the effectiveness of NPIs: 12 reported on ventilation, 4 on air cleaning devices, 5 on surface disinfection, 6 on room occupancy and 1 on screens/barriers. No studies were found that considered the effectiveness of [Formula: see text] monitoring or the implementation of one-way systems. Many of these studies were assessed to have critical risk of bias in at least one domain, largely due to confounding factors that could have affected the measured outcomes. As a result, there is low confidence in the findings. Evidence suggests that EC NPIs of ventilation, air cleaning devices and reduction in room-occupancy may have a role in reducing transmission in certain settings. However, the evidence was usually of low or very low quality and certainty, and hence the level of confidence ascribed to this conclusion is low. Based on the evidence found, it was not possible to draw any specific conclusions regarding the effectiveness of surface disinfection and the use of barrier devices. From these results, we further conclude that community agreed standards for well-designed epidemiological studies with low risk of bias are needed. Implementation of such standards would enable more confident assessment in the future of the effectiveness of EC NPIs in reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens in real-world settings. This article is part of the theme issue 'The effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the COVID-19 pandemic: the evidence'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Iddon
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, WC1E 6BT, London, UK
| | - Muge Cevik
- Department of Infection and Global Health, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, KY16 9TF, St Andrews, UK
| | | | - Shaun Fitzgerald
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen Y, Beattie H, Simpson A, Nicholls G, Sandys V, Keen C, Curran AD. A COVID-19 Outbreak in a Large Meat-Processing Plant in England: Transmission Risk Factors and Controls. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:6806. [PMID: 37835076 PMCID: PMC10572747 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20196806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The meat-processing industry had frequent COVID-19 outbreaks reported worldwide. In May 2021, a large meat-processing plant in the UK had an outbreak affecting 4.1% (63/1541) of workers. A rapid on-site investigation was conducted to understand the virus transmission risk factors and control measures. This included observational assessments of work activities, control measures, real-time environmental measurements and surface microbial sampling. The production night-shift attack rate (11.6%, 44/380) was nearly five times higher than the production day-shift (2.4%, 9/380). Shared work transport was provided to 150 staff per dayshift and 104 per nightshift. Production areas were noisy (≥80 dB(A)) and physical distancing was difficult to maintain. Face visors were mandatory, additional face coverings were required for some activities but not always worn. The refrigeration system continuously recirculated chilled air. In some areas, the mean temperature was as low as 4.5 °C and mean relative humidity (RH) was as high as 96%. The adequacy of ventilation in the production areas could not be assessed reliably using CO2, due to the use of CO2 in the packaging process. While there were challenges in the production areas, the observed COVID-19 control measures were generally implemented well in the non-production areas. Sixty surface samples from all areas were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and 11.7% were positive. Multi-layered measures, informed by a workplace specific risk assessment, are required to prevent and control workplace outbreaks of COVID-19 or other similar respiratory infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqun Chen
- Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Helen Beattie
- Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Andrew Simpson
- Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Gillian Nicholls
- Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Vince Sandys
- Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Chris Keen
- Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Andrew D Curran
- Science Division, Health and Safety Executive, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
de Rooij MM, Sikkema RS, Bouwknegt M, de Geus Y, Stanoeva KR, Nieuwenweg S, van Dam AS, Raben C, Dohmen W, Heederik D, Reusken C, Meijer A, Koopmans MP, Franz E, Smit LA. A Comprehensive Sampling Study on SARS-CoV-2 Contamination of Air and Surfaces in a Large Meat Processing Plant Experiencing COVID-19 Clusters in June 2020. J Occup Environ Med 2023; 65:e227-e233. [PMID: 36640441 PMCID: PMC10090283 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess SARS-CoV-2 contamination of air and surfaces to gain insight into potential occupational exposure in a large meat processing plant experiencing COVID-19 clusters. Methods: Oro-nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 screening was performed in 76 workers. Environmental samples ( n = 275) including air, ventilation systems, sewage, and swabs of high-touch surfaces and workers' hands were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Twenty-seven (35.5%) of the (predominantly asymptomatic) workers tested positive with modest to low viral loads (cycle threshold ≥ 29.7). Six of 203 surface swabs, 1 of 12 personal air samples, and one of four sewage samples tested positive; other samples tested negative. Conclusions: Although one third of workers tested positive, environmental contamination was limited. Widespread SARS-CoV-2 transmission via air and surfaces was considered unlikely within this plant at the time of investigation while strict COVID-19 control measures were already implemented.
Collapse
|
5
|
Oza S, Chen F, Selser V, Clougherty MM, Dale KD, Iberg Johnson J, Brock-Fisher T, Seung KJ, Bourdeaux M. Community-Based Outbreak Investigation And Response: Enhancing Preparedness, Public Health Capacity, And Equity. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:349-356. [PMID: 36877907 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.01257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the US has struggled with many aspects of the public health response, from determining where transmission is occurring to building trust with communities and implementing interventions. Three factors have contributed to these challenges: insufficient local public health capacity, siloed interventions, and underuse of a cluster-based approach to outbreak response. In this article we introduce Community-based Outbreak Investigation and Response (COIR), a local public health strategy developed during the COVID-19 pandemic that addresses these shortcomings. COIR can help local public health entities conduct disease surveillance more effectively, take a more proactive and efficient approach to mitigating transmission, coordinate response efforts, build community trust, and advance equity. We offer a practitioner's lens, informed through on-the-ground experience and engagement with policy makers, to highlight the financing, workforce, data system, and information-sharing policy changes needed to scale up COIR throughout the country. COIR can enable the US public health system to develop effective solutions to many of today's public health challenges and improve the nation's preparedness for public health crises in the years to come.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shefali Oza
- Shefali Oza , Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Victoria Selser
- Victoria Selser, City of Fitchburg, Fitchburg, Massachusetts
| | | | - Kristi Dews Dale
- Kristi Dews Dale, Community Care of North Carolina, Cary, North Carolina
| | | | - Taylor Brock-Fisher
- Taylor Brock-Fisher, Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Margaret Bourdeaux
- Margaret Bourdeaux, Harvard University and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ceccarelli E, Minelli G, Egidi V, Jona Lasinio G. Assessment of Excess Mortality in Italy in 2020-2021 as a Function of Selected Macro-Factors. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:2812. [PMID: 36833508 PMCID: PMC9956038 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excess mortality (EM) can reliably capture the impact of a pandemic, this study aims at assessing the numerous factors associated with EM during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. METHODS Mortality records (ISTAT 2015-2021) aggregated in the 610 Italian Labour Market Areas (LMAs) were used to obtain the EM P-scores to associate EM with socioeconomic variables. A two-step analysis was implemented: (1) Functional representation of EM and clustering. (2) Distinct functional regression by cluster. RESULTS The LMAs are divided into four clusters: 1 low EM; 2 moderate EM; 3 high EM; and 4 high EM-first wave. Low-Income showed a negative association with EM clusters 1 and 4. Population density and percentage of over 70 did not seem to affect EM significantly. Bed availability positively associates with EM during the first wave. The employment rate positively associates with EM during the first two waves, becoming negatively associated when the vaccination campaign began. CONCLUSIONS The clustering shows diverse behaviours by geography and time, the impact of socioeconomic characteristics, and local governments and health services' responses. The LMAs allow to draw a clear picture of local characteristics associated with the spread of the virus. The employment rate trend confirmed that essential workers were at risk, especially during the first wave.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giada Minelli
- Statistical Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Egidi
- Department of Statistical Sciences, La Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang M, King MD. Temporal Variation of SARS-CoV-2 Levels in Wastewater from a Meat Processing Plant. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010174. [PMID: 36677465 PMCID: PMC9864470 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) on SARS-CoV-2 has been proved to be an effective approach to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities and cities. However, its application was overlooked at smaller scale, such as a single facility. Meat processing plants are hotspots for COVID-19 outbreaks due to their unique environment that are favorable for the survival and persistence of SARS-CoV-2. This is the first known WBS study in meat processing plants. The goal was to understand the temporal variation of the SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater from a meat processing plant in Canada during a three-month campaign and to find any correlation with clinically confirmed cases in the surrounding city area. Higher SARS-CoV-2 concentrations and detection frequencies were observed in the solid fraction compared to the liquid fraction of the wastewater. The viruses can be preserved in the solid fraction of wastewater for up to 12 days. The wastewater virus level did not correlate to the city-wide COVID-19 cases due to the unmatching scales. WBS on SARS-CoV-2 in meat processing plants can be useful for identifying COVID-19 outbreaks in the facility and serve as an effective alternative when resources for routine individual testing are not available.
Collapse
|
8
|
Taskin MH, Yazici Z, Barry G. A prevalence study of COVID-19 among healthcare workers in a pandemic hospital in the Samsun province of Turkey. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279067. [PMID: 36548268 PMCID: PMC9778555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Among populations globally, many healthcare workers have been disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic because of their above average exposure to people infected with SARS-CoV-2. Exposure to asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals is particularly challenging, if those individuals continue to work, not knowing that they are potentially infectious. This study aimed to measure the level of asymptomatic infection in a cohort of workers in a healthcare setting in Turkey during the second major wave of infection in late 2020. Blood samples were collected and tested by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies. Nasal and throat swabs were performed in a subset of this cohort and RT-qPCR was used to search for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The results showed that approximately 23% of the cohort were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies and approximately 22% were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies despite no reported history of COVID-19 symptoms. Just less than 30% of a subset of the group were positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA indicating the likelihood of a current or recent infection, again despite a lack of typical COVID-19 associated symptoms. This study indicates a high rate of asymptomatic infection and highlights the need for regular testing of groups such as healthcare workers when community prevalence of disease is high and there is a desire to limit entry of virus into settings where vulnerable people may be present, because symptoms cannot be relied on as indicators of infection or infectiousness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Hakan Taskin
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Zafer Yazici
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey,* E-mail: (GB); (ZY)
| | - Gerald Barry
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,* E-mail: (GB); (ZY)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hosseini P, Mueller W, Rhodes S, Pembrey L, van Tongeren M, Pearce N, Loh M, Fletcher T. Transmission and Control of SARS-CoV-2 in the Food Production Sector: A Rapid Narrative Review of the Literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:12104. [PMID: 36231415 PMCID: PMC9566159 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This review aimed to provide an overview of the literature assessing the extent of COVID-19 transmission in the food processing sector along with the risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection/mortality rates in this setting, and the preventive measures used to reduce transmission. An electronic search was conducted using scientific databases, including Web of Science, OVID, PubMed and MedRxiv. The search strategy identified 26 papers that met the inclusion criteria. Six of these studies were based in the UK and the country with the most papers was the USA, with a total of nine papers. Findings showed some evidence of a high transmission level of SARS-CoV-2 within some areas of the food production sector. Risk factors associated with the spread included ethnicity, poor ventilation, lack of social distancing and lack of sick pay. The preventative measures included/recommended were social distancing, testing, adequate ventilation, cleaning regimes and access to PPE. Additional research focusing on the food production sector could show the potential variations in transmission and risk between each sub-sector. Future research focusing on the application of various preventative measures and their efficacy by sub-sector would be beneficial, while further qualitative research could help provide in-depth information regarding knowledge gaps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paniz Hosseini
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Sarah Rhodes
- Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Lucy Pembrey
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Martie van Tongeren
- Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Neil Pearce
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Miranda Loh
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
- Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Tony Fletcher
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li Q, Bergquist R, Grant L, Song JX, Feng XY, Zhou XN. Consideration of COVID-19 beyond the human-centred approach of prevention and control: the ONE-HEALTH perspective. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:2520-2528. [PMID: 36102336 PMCID: PMC9621238 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2125343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Most of the new emerging and re-emerging zoonotic virus outbreaks in recent years stem from close interaction with dead or alive infected animals. Since late 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread into 221 countries and territories resulting in close to 300 million known infections and 5.4 million deaths in addition to a huge impact on both public health and the world economy. This paper reviews the COVID-19 prevalence in animals, raise concerns about animal welfare and discusses the role of environment in the transmission of COVID-19. Attention is drawn to the One Health concept as it emphasizes the environment in connection with the risk of transmission and establishment of diseases shared between animals and humans. Considering the importance of One Health for an effective response to the dissemination of infections of pandemic character, some unsettled issues with respect to COVID-19 are highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; One Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University-The University of Edinburgh, Shanghai 20025, China
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, China
| | - Robert Bergquist
- Ingerod, Brastad, Sweden (formerly at the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Liz Grant
- Global Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jun-Xia Song
- Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, Rome, Italy
| | - Xin-Yu Feng
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; One Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University-The University of Edinburgh, Shanghai 20025, China
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, China
- Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; One Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University-The University of Edinburgh, Shanghai 20025, China
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Iwamoto C, Lesteberg KE, Lamb MM, Calvimontes DM, Guo K, Barrett BS, Mickens KL, Duca LM, Monzon J, Chard AN, Guzman G, Barrios E, Rojop N, Arias K, Gomez M, Paiz C, Bolanos GA, Edwards KM, Zielinski Gutierrez E, Azziz-Baumgartner E, Asturias EJ, Santiago ML, Beckham JD, Olson D. High SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Rapid Neutralizing Antibody Decline among Agricultural Workers in Rural Guatemala, June 2020-March 2021. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1160. [PMID: 35891324 PMCID: PMC9323551 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Essential agricultural workers work under occupational conditions that may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and transmission. Data from an agricultural worker cohort in Guatemala, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid IgG (anti-N IgG) testing were used to estimate past infections and analyze risk factors associated with seropositivity at enrollment and association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The stability of neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses were assessed in a subset of participants. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) for seroprevalence at enrollment was estimated accounting for correlations within worksites. At enrollment, 616 (46.2%) of 1334 (93.2%) participants had anti-N IgG results indicating prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. A cough ≤ 10 days prior to enrollment (aRR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13−1.46) and working as a packer (aRR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.67−2.38) or packing manager within the plants (aRR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.36−2.43) were associated with increased risk of seropositivity. COVID-19 incidence density among seronegative workers was 2.3/100 Person-Years (P-Y), higher than seropositive workers (0.4/100 P-Y). Most workers with follow-up NAb testing (65/77, 84%) exhibited a 95% average decrease in NAb titers in <6 months. While participants seropositive at baseline were less likely to experience a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during follow-up, NAb titers rapidly waned, underscoring the need for multipronged COVID-19 prevention strategies in the workplace, including vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Iwamoto
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (L.M.D.); (A.N.C.); (E.A.-B.)
| | - Kelsey E. Lesteberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (K.E.L.); (K.G.); (B.S.B.); (K.L.M.); (M.L.S.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Molly M. Lamb
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, 13199 E. Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (M.M.L.); (E.J.A.); (D.O.)
| | - Diva M. Calvimontes
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
- La Comisión Presidencial de Atención a la Emergencia COVID-19 (Coprecovid), Guatemala City 01010, Guatemala
| | - Kejun Guo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (K.E.L.); (K.G.); (B.S.B.); (K.L.M.); (M.L.S.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Bradley S. Barrett
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (K.E.L.); (K.G.); (B.S.B.); (K.L.M.); (M.L.S.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Kaylee L. Mickens
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (K.E.L.); (K.G.); (B.S.B.); (K.L.M.); (M.L.S.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Lindsey M. Duca
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (L.M.D.); (A.N.C.); (E.A.-B.)
| | - Jose Monzon
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global Health Protection (CDC-DGHP), 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (J.M.); (E.Z.G.)
| | - Anna N. Chard
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (L.M.D.); (A.N.C.); (E.A.-B.)
| | - Gerber Guzman
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Edgar Barrios
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Neudy Rojop
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Kareen Arias
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Melissa Gomez
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Claudia Paiz
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Guillermo Antonio Bolanos
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
| | - Kathryn M. Edwards
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2200 Children’s Way, 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Emily Zielinski Gutierrez
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global Health Protection (CDC-DGHP), 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (J.M.); (E.Z.G.)
| | - Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (L.M.D.); (A.N.C.); (E.A.-B.)
| | - Edwin J. Asturias
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, 13199 E. Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (M.M.L.); (E.J.A.); (D.O.)
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
- La Comisión Presidencial de Atención a la Emergencia COVID-19 (Coprecovid), Guatemala City 01010, Guatemala
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13123 E. 16th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mario L. Santiago
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (K.E.L.); (K.G.); (B.S.B.); (K.L.M.); (M.L.S.); (J.D.B.)
| | - J. David Beckham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E. 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (K.E.L.); (K.G.); (B.S.B.); (K.L.M.); (M.L.S.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Daniel Olson
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Global Health, Colorado School of Public Health, 13199 E. Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (M.M.L.); (E.J.A.); (D.O.)
- Center for Human Development, Fundación para la Salud Integral de los Guatemaltecos, FSIG, Km 30 carretera de Coatepeque a Chiquirines Caballo Blanco, Retalhuleu 11010, Guatemala; (D.M.C.); (G.G.); (E.B.); (N.R.); (K.A.); (M.G.); (C.P.); (G.A.B.)
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13123 E. 16th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| |
Collapse
|