Cutaneous larva migrans in Canadian travellers returning from the Caribbean: A 10-year surveillance analysis from CanTravNet.

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is one of the most common dermatoses affecting travellers to the tropics.

Objective: To describe demographic and travel correlates of travellers returning to Canada from the Caribbean with CLM over a 10-year pre-pandemic period.

Methods: Demographic and travel-related data on ill travellers encountered either during or after completion of their travel/migration and seen in any of eight CanTravNet sites from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018, with a final diagnosis of CLM were extracted and analyzed. During this time, access to first-line therapy, ivermectin, was available via Health Canada's Special Access Programme.

Results: Of 17,644 travellers presenting to CanTravNet over the enrolment period, 328 (1.9%) returned from the Caribbean with CLM. The median age of travellers with CLM was 34 years (interquartile range: 25-50 years), with females accounting for 58% of cases. Ninety-five percent (n=313) travelled for tourism. Jamaica was the most common source country, with 216 cases (67%), followed by Barbados (n=27, 8%) and the Dominican Republic (n=23, 7%). Cases in 2018 were imported predominantly from Jamaica (n=58, 73%) and the Dominican Republic (n=12, 15%). Age, sex and purpose of travel were similar across years. The percentage of all imported cases of CLM that originated from the Caribbean increased from 9% in 2016 to 24.5% in 2018.

Conclusion: Proportions and absolute numbers of CLM in travellers returning to Canada from the Caribbean are increasing. Improved awareness of this common dermatosis among physicians and travellers, as well as improved access to effective therapies, will reduce associated morbidity.