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NEW SURVEILLANCE DATABASE
“UNIDENTIFIED DERMATOSIS SYNDROME”
Abstract: There have been reports to state and local public health agencies from residents
throughout Georgia of thread-like skin parasites in their skin, and a related set of symptoms.
In response, the Unidentified Dermatosis Syndrome (UDS) Surveillance Database was
developed and is maintained by the Chemical Hazards Program, Environmental Health Section,
Georgia Division of Public Health. It is intended to build and maintain self-reported symptom
surveillance capacity.
Definition
The Chemical Hazards Program defines “Unidentified Dermatosis Syndrome” as reports of tiny
bugs that look like black specks, or thread-like parasites in the skin; or of "something" biting,
stinging, or crawling in the skin, and an accompanying set of symptoms including itching, visible
sores, and fatigue.
Hypothesis
The Chemical Hazards Program will examine whether:
1. parasites may be causing the symptoms, and
2. individuals may share hypersensitivity to toxins produced by certain fungi/molds present
in soil causing specific neurotoxic effects.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES: PHASE I
Surveillance Database and Initial Survey
Beginning March 1, 2006 we will administer a survey to collect data from individuals reporting
specific symptoms of UDS. Chemical Hazards Program staff is contacting Georgia residents
following referral from various state, district, and local public health agencies, health care
providers, other professionals, and individuals for voluntary participation in the survey.
Beginning September 1, 2006 Chemical Hazards Program staff will analyze the results of the
survey and decide which health education activities, networking strategies, referral resources,
environmental sampling, or medical interventions will best meet the needs of the survey
participants. Reports generated will contain grouped information only, and will not contain any
personal identifiers such as name or address.
The results of the data analyses are expected to be available to the public in late fall 2006. The
UDS surveillance database will remain in place and continue to gather information about cases in
Georgia.
Survey
The UDS survey requests basic demographic information: age, gender, race/ethnicity and
education level. Questions about their home environment and daily activities, including length of
residency, soil conditions, outdoor hobbies, employment history, and allergy history are
included. Respondents will be asked in detail about their symptoms, doctor visits, current
medications, health status of other family members and pets, and attempted and/or successful
treatments and symptom relief.
Page 2
Data Management and Entry
CHP staff will collect, manage, enter, and analyze all data from completed surveys. Survey data
will be entered into an Access database and cross checked for validity, reliability, and accuracy
by random verification of entered data and other accepted methods.
Data Analyses
Access 2000 database software will be used for data analyses. Survey questions will be analyzed
and compared using analytic techniques appropriate for community survey design. Univariate
analyses will generate descriptive statistics to characterize data from the survey. Bivariate and
multivariate analyses will assess whether trends and relationships exist among survey responses.
ArcView 9.0 software will be used to map/illustrate any trends and relationships.
If trends and relationships are found to exist and are determined to potentially be a result of
parasites and/or exposure to specific fungi present in soil, medical intervention and/or soil
sampling recommendations will provided to appropriate agencies. For more information, to refer
individuals, or to be considered for participation in the survey, please contact:
Jane M. Perry, Director
Chemical Hazards Program
Georgia Division of Public Health
Atlanta, Georgia
(404) 657-6534
The state of Georgia has started a database concerning this illness. They are using a different name for it though.
health.state.ga.us/pdfs/hazards/UDS_SURVEILLANCE_DATABASE.
pdf#search=%22unidentified%20dermatosis%20syndrome%22
unidentified dermatosis syndrome
Contact information
Jane M. Perry, Director
Chemical Hazards Program
Georgia Division of Public Health
Atlanta, Georgia
(404) 657-6534
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