Saharan dust exposure triggers or exacerbates existing respiratory morbidity in the Caribbean - an observational study
We evaluated the impact of Saharan dust on paediatric hospital admissions due to respiratory tract infections (RTIs) at St. Maarten. This study shows more RTI admissions after Saharan dust presence, with the strongest effect at 3 days after exposure (OR 1.5, 95%CI 1.2–2.0). This highlights the impact of air quality on respiratory health and the need for preventive measures, especially for vulnerable populations who intend to travel to Saharan dust–prone regions.
Authors
- Sharda Baboe-Kalpoe
- Danique J. H. Huijbens
- Josephine van de Maat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7351-4596)
- Radjin Steingrover
- Marien Isaäk de Jonge (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2812-5895)
- Lilly M. Verhagen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3451-9201)
- Sam Engels
- Felix Holiday
- Sheryl Etienne-Leblanc
- Sherryl Carty
- Shanna Holaman
- Fazal Baboe
- Juldany Juliet
- Marquita Euson
- Martijn Tilanus
- JOSEPH ISAAC
- Chérina Fleming
- Carshena Gordon
Institutions
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (NL)
- Amalia Kinderziekenhuis (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Tropical Diseases Travel Medicine and Vaccines
- Published
- 2026-10-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40794-026-00319-x
- Primary Topic
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00