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Are People Living Near Modern Swine Production Facilities at Increased Risk of Influenza Virus Infection?

ABSTRACT: ?Swine can harbor influenza viruses that are pathogenic to humans. Previous studies support an increased risk of human influenza cases among individuals with swine contact. North Carolina has the second-largest swine industry in the United States.?We investigated the spatiotemporal association between influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) and licensed swine operations from 2008 to 2012 in North Carolina. We determined the week in which ILI cases peaked and statistically estimated their week of onset. This was performed for all 100 North Carolina counties for 4 consecutive influenza seasons. We used linear models to correlate the number of permitted swine operations per county with the weeks of onset and peak ILI activity.?We found that during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 influenza seasons, both seasons in which the pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus circulated, ILI peaked earlier in counties with a higher number of licensed swine operations. We did not observe this in 2008-2009 or 2011-2012, nor did we observe a relationship between ILI onset week and number of swine operations.?Our findings suggest that concentrated swine feeding operations amplified transmission of influenza during years in which H1N1 was circulating. This has implications for vaccine strategies targeting swine workers, as well as virologic surveillance in areas with large concentrations of swine.

SUBMITTER: Lantos PM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5146723 | biostudies-other | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Are People Living Near Modern Swine Production Facilities at Increased Risk of Influenza Virus Infection?

Lantos Paul M PM Hoffman Kate K Höhle Michael M Anderson Benjamin B Gray Gregory C GC

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 20161106 12

<h4>Background</h4> Swine can harbor influenza viruses that are pathogenic to humans. Previous studies support an increased risk of human influenza cases among individuals with swine contact. North Carolina has the second-largest swine industry in the United States.<h4>Methods</h4> We investigated the spatiotemporal association between influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) and licensed swine operations from 2008 to 2012 in North Carolina. We determined the week in which ILI cases peaked and statistica ...[more]

PMID: 27821546

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Project description:BackgroundThe petrochemical industry is a major source of hazardous and toxic air pollutants that are recognised to have mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. A wealth of occupational epidemiology literature exists around the petrochemical industry, with adverse haematological effects identified in employees exposed to 'low' concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene). Releases from the petrochemical industry are also thought to increase the risk of cancer incidence in fenceline communities. However, this emerging and at times inconclusive evidence base remains fragmented. The present study's aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies investigating the association between incidences of haematological malignancy and residential exposure to the petrochemical industry.MethodsEpidemiological studies reporting the risk of haematological malignancies (Leukaemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Multiple myeloma) were included where the following criteria were met: (i) Cancer incidence is diagnosed by a medical professional and coded in accordance to the International Classification of Diseases; (ii) A clear definition of fenceline communities is provided, indicating the proximity between exposed residents and petrochemical activities; and (iii) Exposure is representative of normal operating conditions, not emergency events. Two investigators independently extracted information on study characteristics and outcomes in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Relative risks and their 95% confidence intervals were pooled across studies for the four categories of haematological malignancy, using a random effects meta-analysis.ResultsThe systematic review identified 16 unique studies, which collectively record the incidence of haematological malignancies across 187,585 residents living close to a petrochemical operation. Residents from fenceline communities, less than 5 km from a petrochemical facility (refinery or manufacturer of commercial chemicals), had a 30% higher risk of developing Leukaemia than residents from communities with no petrochemical activity. Meanwhile, the association between exposure and rarer forms of haematological malignancy remains uncertain, with further research required.ConclusionsThe risk of developing Leukaemia appears higher in individuals living near a petrochemical facility. This highlights the need for further policy to regulate the release of carcinogens by industry.

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Are People Living Near Modern Swine Production Facilities at Increased Risk of Influenza Virus Infection?

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Are People Living Near Modern Swine Production Facilities at Increased Risk of Influenza Virus Infection?

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