TY - JOUR PY - 2012// TI - Caterpillar-associated rashes in children - Hillsborough County, Florida, 2011 JO - MMWR: Morbidity and mortality weekly report SP - 209 EP - 211 VL - 61 IS - 12 N2 - In March and April 2011, the Hillsborough County Health Department (HCHD) Epidemiology Department (Tampa, Florida) investigated three clusters of rash illness linked to the white-marked tussock moth caterpillar among persons at two child care centers and one elementary school. At least 23 children and one adult were affected; most had direct contact with caterpillars. HCHD provided recommendations on treatment and preventing caterpillar exposure to the three facilities, health-care providers, and local agencies, and through local news media. Child care centers and elementary schools in Hillsborough County previously have experienced caterpillar-associated rash outbreaks in 2004 and 2005. Awareness of this problem, particularly during periods of caterpillar infestation, can minimize morbidity and help to avoid inappropriate diagnoses and treatment by health-care providers.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0149-2195 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -