IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i6p2878-d515207.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 during an Outbreak in a Roma Community in Thessaly, Greece—Control Measures and Lessons Learned

Author

Listed:
  • Michalis Koureas

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this article and share first authorship.)

  • Matthaios Speletas

    (Department of Immunology and Histocompatibility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece)

  • Zacharoula Bogogiannidou

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Dimitris Babalis

    (General Hospital of Larissa, 41221 Larissa, Greece)

  • Vassilios Pinakas

    (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Ourania Pinaka

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Apostolos Komnos

    (General Hospital of Larissa, 41221 Larissa, Greece)

  • Stella Tsoutsa

    (General Hospital of Larissa, 41221 Larissa, Greece)

  • Georgia Papadamou

    (Emergency Department, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, 41110 Larissa, Greece)

  • Maria A. Kyritsi

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Alexandros Vontas

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Vasileios Nakoulas

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Spyros Sapounas

    (Hellenic National Public Health Organization, 15123 Athens, Greece)

  • Nikolaos Kanellopoulos

    (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Dimitrios Kalompatsios

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Vassiliki Papadouli

    (Local Health Unit of Ampelokipi, 5th Regional Health Authority of Thessaly & Sterea, Ministry of Health, 41447 Larissa, Greece)

  • Katerina Dadouli

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Soteris Soteriades

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Paraskevi Mina

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Varvara A. Mouchtouri

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Lemonia Anagnostopoulos

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Kostantinos E. Stamoulis

    (Hellenic National Blood Transfusion Center, 13677 Athens, Greece)

  • Kostantinos Agorastos

    (Region of Thessaly, Koumoundourou & Papanastasiou str, 41222 Larissa, Greece)

  • Efthimia A. Petinaki

    (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece)

  • Panagiotis Prezerakos

    (Department of Nursing, University of the Peloponnese, 22100 Tripoli, Greece)

  • Sotirios Tsiodras

    (Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this article and share first authorship.)

  • Christos Hadjichristodoulou

    (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larissa, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this article and share first authorship.)

Abstract

A COVID-19 outbreak occurred among residents of a Roma settlement in Greece (8 April–4 June 2020). The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures implemented. Data were analyzed from individuals that were tested for SARS-CoV-2 during contact tracing, population screening or hospital visits. RT-PCR was used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in oropharyngeal samples. Risk factors for household secondary attack rates (SAR) and hospitalization with COVID-19 were examined using chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression analyses. During the outbreak, 142 cases, 20 hospitalizations and 1 death were recorded, with a total of 2273 individuals tested. The risk of hospitalization was associated with age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.07) and Cycle threshold (Ct) values (OR for a decrease in Ct values by 1: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07–1.31). Household SAR was estimated at 38.62% (95% CI: 32.50–45.01%). After the designation of an isolation facility for cases, household SAR declined from 74.42% to 31.03%. Household size was associated with the risk of infection (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.00–7.07). The presence of COVID-19 symptoms among index cases was correlated with higher transmission (OR: 23.68, 95% CI 2.21–253.74) in multivariate analysis, while age was found to be associated with SAR only in univariate analysis. Roma communities can be particularly vulnerable to the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In similar settings, symptomatic cases are more important transmitters of SARS-CoV-2. Within these communities, immediate measures should be implemented to mitigate disease spread.

Suggested Citation

  • Michalis Koureas & Matthaios Speletas & Zacharoula Bogogiannidou & Dimitris Babalis & Vassilios Pinakas & Ourania Pinaka & Apostolos Komnos & Stella Tsoutsa & Georgia Papadamou & Maria A. Kyritsi & Al, 2021. "Transmission Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 during an Outbreak in a Roma Community in Thessaly, Greece—Control Measures and Lessons Learned," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:2878-:d:515207
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/2878/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/2878/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miroslav Dostal & Jan Topinka & Radim Sram, 2010. "Comparison of the health of Roma and non-Roma children living in the district of Teplice," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(5), pages 435-441, October.
    2. Monasta, L. & Andersson, N. & Ledogar, R.J. & Theol, D. & Cockcroft, A., 2008. "Minority health and small numbers epidemiology: A case study of living conditions and the health of children in 5 foreign Romá camps in Italy," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(11), pages 2035-2041.
    3. Benjamin Cook & Geoffrey Wayne & Anne Valentine & Anna Lessios & Ethan Yeh, 2013. "Revisiting the evidence on health and health care disparities among the Roma: a systematic review 2003–2012," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(6), pages 885-911, December.
    4. Dena Ringold & Mitchell A. Orenstein & Erika Wilkens, 2005. "Roma in an Expanding Europe : Breaking the Poverty Cycle," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 14869.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mario Battaglini & Tania Burchardt & Polina Obolenskaya & Polly Vizard, 2018. "Experience of multiple disadvantage among Roma, Gypsy and Traveller children in England and Wales," CASE Papers /208, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, LSE.
    2. Burchardt, Tania & Obolenskaya, Polina & Vizard, Polly & Battaglini, Mario, 2018. "Experience of multiple disadvantage among Roma, Gypsy and Traveller children in England and Wales," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 103529, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Branislav Šprocha & Branislav Bleha, 2021. "Mortality, Health Status and Self-Perception of Health in Slovak Roma Communities," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 153(3), pages 1065-1086, February.
    4. János Sándor & Zsigmond Kósa & Klára Boruzs & Julianna Boros & Ildikó Tokaji & Martin McKee & Róza Ádány, 2017. "The decade of Roma Inclusion: did it make a difference to health and use of health care services?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(7), pages 803-815, September.
    5. Juan F. Gamella & Elisa Martín Carrasco-Muñoz, 2017. "The decline of infant and child mortality among Spanish Gitanos or Calé (1871−2005): A microdemographic study in Andalusia," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(33), pages 945-988.
    6. Laetitia Duval & François-Charles Wolff & Martin Mckee & Bayard Roberts, 2016. "The Roma vaccination gap: Evidence from twelve countries in Central and South-East Europe," Post-Print hal-01385007, HAL.
    7. Laetitia Duval & François-Charles Wolff, 2016. "Emigration intentions of Roma: evidence from Central and South-East Europe," Post-Communist Economies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 87-107, January.
    8. Barbara Pavlikova & Lenka Freel & Jitse P. van Dijk, 2020. "To Comply or Not to Comply: Roma Approach to Health Laws," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-13, April.
    9. Benjamin Lê Cook & Ana Progovac & Nathaniel Tran, 2019. "Improving the mental health of Roma through research and policies that cross multiple social sectors," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(7), pages 979-980, September.
    10. Jelena Čvorović & Kathryn Coe, 2017. "Reproductive Investment and Health Costs in Roma Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-12, November.
    11. Oded Stark & Ruxanda Berlinschi, 2021. "Community influence as an explanatory factor why Roma children get little schooling," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 189(1), pages 93-114, October.
    12. Simona Drobnakova & Andrea Madarasova Geckova & Veronika Vargova & Ingrid Schusterova & Jaroslav Rosenberger & Daniel Klein & Jitse P van Dijk & Sijmen A. Reijneveld, 2020. "Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Roma Children Seem to Run More Risk than Non-Roma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-7, March.
    13. Sandra Stanković & Saša Živić & Aleksandra Ignjatović & Mariola Stojanović & Dragan Bogdanović & Sonja Novak & Jelena Vučić & Miodrag Stanković & Ljiljana Šaranac & Cvetković Vesna & Predrag Miljković, 2016. "Comparison of weight and length at birth of non-Roma and Roma newborn in Serbia," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(1), pages 69-73, January.
    14. Marisa Usera-Clavero & Diana Gil-González & Daniel La Parra-Casado & Carmen Vives-Cases & Pilar Carrasco-Garrido & Pablo Caballero, 2020. "Inequalities in the use of gynecological visits and preventive services for breast and cervical cancer in Roma women in Spain," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(3), pages 273-280, April.
    15. Daniela Antolová & Monika Halánová & Martin Janičko & Peter Jarčuška & Katarína Reiterová & Júlia Jarošová & Andrea Madarasová Gecková & Daniel Pella & Sylvia Dražilová & HepaMeta Team, 2018. "A Community-Based Study to Estimate the Seroprevalence of Trichinellosis and Echinococcosis in the Roma and Non-Roma Population of Slovakia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-9, February.
    16. Ioanna Petraki & Natasa Kalpourtzi & Agapios Terzidis & Magda Gavana & Apostolos Vantarakis & Georgios Rachiotis & Argiro Karakosta & Vana Sypsa & Giota Touloumi & Hprolipsis Study Group, 2021. "Living in Roma Settlements in Greece: Self-Perceived Health Status, Chronic Diseases and Associated Social Determinants of Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.
    17. Gabriel Kolvek & Katarina Rosicova & Jaroslav Rosenberger & Ludmila Podracka & Roy Stewart & Iveta Nagyova & Sijmen Reijneveld & Jitse Dijk, 2012. "End-stage renal disease among Roma and non-Roma: Roma are at risk," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(4), pages 751-754, August.
    18. Kagin, Justin D. & Lybbert, Travis J., 2023. "Religiosity and educational attainment among the Roma: Shedding an oppositional identity?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    19. Belak, Andrej & Filakovska Bobakova, Daniela & Madarasova Geckova, Andrea & van Dijk, Jitse P. & Reijneveld, Sijmen A., 2020. "Why don't health care frontline professionals do more for segregated Roma? Exploring mechanisms supporting unequal care practices," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    20. Bianca Ioana Todor & Ioana Scrobota & Liana Todor & Alexandra Ioana Lucan & Luminita Ligia Vaida, 2019. "Environmental Factors Associated with Malocclusion in Children Population from Mining Areas, Western Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-16, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:2878-:d:515207. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.