Population-based denominators matter: Bias in U.S. Virgin Islands COVID-19 vaccination coverage under changing population counts.

PURPOSE: The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) receives an updated population count once every 10 years and used 2010 decennial census population counts to estimate COVID-19 vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 emergency response. We investigated whether using outdated (2010) or modeled (2020 international database [IDB]) population counts biased vaccination coverage estimates used to inform public health priorities during the 2020-2022 COVID-19 response. METHODS: We estimated percentage of USVI residents with a completed primary COVID-19 vaccination series during December 16, 2020-September 20, 2022. Vaccination coverage was calculated as number of persons who completed the vaccination series divided by 2010 and 2020 decennial census population counts and 2020 IDB intercensal estimate. RESULTS: COVID-19 vaccination coverage using the 2020 population count was 12 % points higher than coverage using 2010 denominator (2010 denominator: 51 %; 2020 denominator: 63 %). Vaccination coverage estimated using 2020 IDB was approximately equal with the 2010 decennial census estimate (52 %). CONCLUSIONS: Using 2010 and modeled population counts underestimated 2020 USVI COVID-19 vaccination coverage given the 18 % population decline during 2010-2020, potentially limiting USVI's ability to assess vaccination progress. Identifying mechanisms for more reliable population enumeration or improved estimate modeling are essential for accurately guiding USVI public health decision-making.

Vocal Fatigue Experiences and Mitigation Strategies in the Sacred Harp Singing Community.

OBJECTIVES: Sacred Harp singers sing at a high volume for sustained periods of time without collective warm-up or cool-down exercises, ostensibly putting them at elevated risk for vocal fatigue (VF) and associated vocal pathologies. Participants are also likely to lack formal vocal training. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess singers' experiences with VF, (2) document singers' strategies for mitigating VF, and (3) determine whether vocal training was associated with decreased vocal difficulties. STUDY DESIGN: Self-reporting via online questionnaire containing quantitative and qualitative items. METHODS: This study employed an online questionnaire that combined demographic items, open-ended questions, and the Evaluation of the Ability to Sing Easily (EASE). Participants were recruited at one in-person event and via social media and a mailing list. RESULTS: This study returned 134 valid responses. Singers with formal choral experience scored lower on the EASE and two subscales, but length of experience had no impact. There were no correlations between vocal training and EASE scores. Women scored higher on the EASE than men and nonbinary individuals, while age, length of experience with Sacred Harp singing, and frequency of attendance at annual singing events were all negatively correlated with EASE score. Singers reported a wide range of mitigation strategies, most of which are unique to the Sacred Harp context. CONCLUSIONS: Sacred Harp singers do not appear to struggle more with VF than other populations of singers. However, a few characteristics of their practice put them at risk, and many singers would benefit from professional guidance concerning vocal health.

Epidemiologic Trends of Dengue in U.S. Territories, 2010-2020.

Problem/Condition: Dengue is one of the most common vectorborne flaviviral infections globally, with frequent outbreaks in tropical regions. In 2019 and 2020, the Pan American Health Organization reported approximately 5.5 million dengue cases from the Americas, the highest number on record. In the United States, local dengue virus (DENV) transmission has been reported from all U.S. territories, which are characterized by tropical climates that are highly suitable for Aedes species of mosquitoes, the vector that transmits dengue. Dengue is endemic in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Dengue risk in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is considered sporadic or uncertain. Despite all U.S. territories reporting local dengue transmission, epidemiologic trends over time have not been well described. Reporting Period: 2010-2020. Description of System: State and territorial health departments report dengue cases to CDC through ArboNET, the national arboviral surveillance system, which was developed in 2000 to monitor West Nile virus infections. Dengue became nationally notifiable in ArboNET in 2010. Dengue cases reported to ArboNET are categorized using the 2015 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists case definition. In addition, DENV serotyping is performed at CDC's Dengue Branch Laboratory in a subset of specimens to support identification of circulating DENV serotypes. Results: During 2010-2020, a total of 30,903 dengue cases were reported from four U.S. territories to ArboNET. Puerto Rico reported the highest number of dengue cases (29,862 [96.6%]), followed by American Samoa (660 [2.1%]), USVI (353 [1.1%]), and Guam (28 [0.1%]). However, annual incidence rates were highest in American Samoa with 10.2 cases per 1,000 population in 2017, followed by Puerto Rico with 2.9 in 2010 and USVI with 1.6 in 2013. Approximately one half (50.6%) of cases occurred among persons aged <20 years. The proportion of persons with dengue who were hospitalized was high in three of the four territories: 45.5% in American Samoa, 32.6% in Puerto Rico, and 32.1% in Guam. In Puerto Rico and USVI, approximately 2% of reported cases were categorized as severe dengue. Of all dengue-associated deaths, 68 (0.2%) were reported from Puerto Rico; no deaths were reported from the other territories. During 2010-2020, DENV-1 and DENV-4 were the predominant serotypes in Puerto Rico and USVI. Interpretation: U.S. territories experienced a high prevalence of dengue during 2010-2020, with approximately 30,000 cases reported, and a high incidence during outbreak years. Children and adolescents aged <20 years were disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for interventions tailored for this population. Ongoing education about dengue clinical management for health care providers in U.S. territories is important because of the high hospitalization rates reported. Dengue case surveillance and serotyping can be used to guide future control and prevention measures in these areas. Public Health Action: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends vaccination with Dengvaxia for children aged 9-16 years with evidence of previous dengue infection and living in areas where dengue is endemic. The recommendation for the dengue vaccine offers public health professionals and health care providers a new intervention for preventing illness and hospitalization in the age group with the highest burden of disease in the four territories (Paz Bailey G, Adams L, Wong JM, et al. Dengue Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep 2021;70[No. RR-6]). American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and USVI are all considered endemic areas and persons residing in these areas are eligible for the new dengue vaccine. Persons aged 9-16 years in those jurisdictions with laboratory evidence of previous dengue infection can receive the dengue vaccine and benefit from a reduced risk for symptomatic disease, hospitalization, or severe dengue. Health care providers in these areas should be familiar with the eligibility criteria and recommendations for vaccination to reduce the burden of dengue among the group at highest risk for symptomatic illness. Educating health care providers about identification and management of dengue cases can improve patient outcomes and improve surveillance and reporting of dengue cases.

Acceptability of a Chikungunya Virus Vaccine, United States Virgin Islands.

Chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne alphavirus, causes acute febrile illness with polyarthralgia. Groups at risk for severe disease include neonates, people with underlying medical conditions, and those aged ≥ 65 years. Several chikungunya vaccines are in late clinical development with licensure expected in the United States during 2023. We administered a questionnaire to randomly selected households in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) to assess interest in a hypothetical chikungunya vaccine. Estimates were calibrated to age and sex of USVI population, and univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Of 966 participants, 520 (adjusted 56%, 95% CI = 51-60%) were interested in receiving the vaccine. Of 446 participants not interested in vaccination, 203 (adjusted 47%, 95% CI = 41-52%) cited safety concerns as the reason. Educational efforts addressing vaccine safety concerns and risk factors for severe disease would likely improve vaccine acceptability and uptake among those most at risk.

2021 U.S. Virgin Islands Zika health brigade: Providing recommended pediatric health screenings for children born to mothers with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Health (DOH) conducted a second Zika health brigade (ZHB) in 2021 to provide recommended Zika-related pediatric health screenings, including vision, hearing, neurologic, and developmental screenings, for children in the USVI. This was replicated after the success of the first ZHB in 2018, which provided recommended Zika-related pediatric health screenings to 88 infants and children exposed to Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy. METHODS: Ten specialty pediatric care providers were recruited and traveled to the USVI to conduct the screenings. USVI DOH scheduled appointments for children included in CDC's U.S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry (USZPIR). During the ZHB, participants were examined by pediatric ophthalmologists, pediatric audiologists, and pediatric neurologists. We report the percentage of participants who were referred for additional follow-up care or given follow-up recommendations in the 2021 ZHB and compare these referrals and recommendations to those given in the 2018 ZHB. RESULTS: Thirty-three children born to mothers with laboratory evidence of ZIKV infection during pregnancy completed screenings at the 2021 ZHB, of which 15 (45%) children were referred for additional follow-up care. Ophthalmological screenings resulted in the highest number of new referrals for a specialty provider among ZHB participants, with 6 (18%) children receiving referrals for that specialty. Speech therapy was the most common therapy referral, with 10 (30%) children referred, of which 9 (90%) were among those who attended the 2018 ZHB. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-three children in a jurisdiction with reduced access to healthcare specialists received recommended Zika-related pediatric health screenings at the ZHB. New and continuing medical and developmental concerns were identified and appropriate referrals for follow-up care and services were provided. The ZHB model was successful in creating connections to health services not previously received by the participants.

COVID-19 Outbreaks Linked to Workplaces, 23 US Jurisdictions, August-October 2021.

OBJECTIVES: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, several outbreaks were linked with facilities employing essential workers, such as long-term care facilities and meat and poultry processing facilities. However, timely national data on which workplace settings were experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks were unavailable through routine surveillance systems. We estimated the number of US workplace outbreaks of COVID-19 and identified the types of workplace settings in which they occurred during August-October 2021. METHODS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collected data from health departments on workplace COVID-19 outbreaks from August through October 2021: the number of workplace outbreaks, by workplace setting, and the total number of cases among workers linked to these outbreaks. Health departments also reported the number of workplaces they assisted for outbreak response, COVID-19 testing, vaccine distribution, or consultation on mitigation strategies. RESULTS: Twenty-three health departments reported a total of 12 660 workplace COVID-19 outbreaks. Among the 12 470 workplace types that were documented, 35.9% (n = 4474) of outbreaks occurred in health care settings, 33.4% (n = 4170) in educational settings, and 30.7% (n = 3826) in other work settings, including non-food manufacturing, correctional facilities, social services, retail trade, and food and beverage stores. Eleven health departments that reported 3859 workplace outbreaks provided information about workplace assistance: 3090 (80.1%) instances of assistance involved consultation on COVID-19 mitigation strategies, 1912 (49.5%) involved outbreak response, 436 (11.3%) involved COVID-19 testing, and 185 (4.8%) involved COVID-19 vaccine distribution. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the continued impact of COVID-19 among workers, the potential for work-related transmission, and the need to apply layered prevention strategies recommended by public health officials.

Pregnancy and infant outcomes by trimester of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy-SET-NET, 22 jurisdictions, January 25, 2020-December 31, 2020.

OBJECTIVES: We describe clinical characteristics, pregnancy, and infant outcomes in pregnant people with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by trimester of infection. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data from the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network and included people with infection in 2020, with known timing of infection and pregnancy outcome. Outcomes are described by trimester of infection. Pregnancy outcomes included live birth and pregnancy loss (<20 weeks and ≥20 weeks gestation). Infant outcomes included preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation), small for gestational age, birth defects, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated for pregnancy and selected infant outcomes by trimester of infection, controlling for demographics. RESULTS: Of 35,200 people included in this analysis, 50.8% of pregnant people had infection in the third trimester, 30.8% in the second, and 18.3% in the first. Third trimester infection was associated with a higher frequency of preterm birth compared to first or second trimester infection combined (17.8% vs. 11.8%; aPR 1.44 95% CI: 1.35-1.54). Prevalence of birth defects was 553.4/10,000 live births, with no difference by trimester of infection. CONCLUSIONS: There were no signals for increased birth defects among infants in this population relative to national baseline estimates, regardless of timing of infection. However, the prevalence of preterm birth in people with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy in our analysis was higher relative to national baseline data (10.0-10.2%), particularly among people with third trimester infection. Consequences of COVID-19 during pregnancy support recommended COVID-19 prevention strategies, including vaccination.

Microbial Characterization, Factors Contributing to Contamination, and Household Use of Cistern Water, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Households in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) heavily rely on roof-harvested rainwater stored in cisterns for their daily activities. However, there are insufficient data on cistern water microbiological and physicochemical characteristics to inform appropriate cistern water management. Cistern and kitchen tap water samples were collected from 399 geographically representative households across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John and an administered survey captured household site and cistern characteristics and water use behaviors. Water samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli by culture, and a subset of cistern water samples (N = 47) were analyzed for Salmonella, Naegleria fowleri, pathogenic Leptospira, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and human-specific fecal contamination using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between E. coli cistern contamination and cistern and site characteristics were evaluated to better understand possible mechanisms of contamination. E. coli was detected in 80% of cistern water samples and in 58% of kitchen tap samples. For the subset of samples tested by PCR, at least one of the pathogens was detected in 66% of cisterns. Our results suggest that covering overflow pipes with screens, decreasing animal presence at the household, and preventing animals or insects from entering the cisterns can decrease the likelihood of E. coli contamination in USVI cistern water.

Spatial, Sociodemographic, and Weather Analysis of the Zika Virus Outbreak: U.S. Virgin Islands, January 2016-January 2018.

Background: The first Zika virus outbreak in U.S. Virgin Islands identified 1031 confirmed noncongenital Zika disease (n = 967) and infection (n = 64) cases during January 2016-January 2018; most cases (89%) occurred during July-December 2016. Methods and Results: The epidemic followed a continued point-source outbreak pattern. Evaluation of sociodemographic risk factors revealed that estates with higher unemployment, more houses connected to the public water system, and more newly built houses were significantly less likely to have Zika virus disease and infection cases. Increased temperature was associated with higher case counts, which suggests a seasonal association of this outbreak. Conclusion: Vector surveillance and control measures are needed to prevent future outbreaks.

Seroprevalence, distribution, and risk factors for human leptospirosis in the United States Virgin Islands.

BACKGROUND: The first documented human leptospirosis cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) occurred following 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We conducted a representative serosurvey in USVI to estimate the seroprevalence and distribution of human leptospirosis and evaluate local risk factors associated with seropositivity. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A stratified, two-stage cluster sampling design was used and consisted of three island strata and random selection of census blocks and then households. All eligible members of selected households were invited to participate (≥5 years old, resided in USVI ≥6 months and ≥6 months/year). Household and individual-level questionnaires were completed, and serum collected from each enrolled individual. Microscopic agglutination test serology was conducted, and bivariate and logistic regression analyses completed to identify risk factors for seropositivity. In March 2019, 1,161 individuals were enrolled from 918 households in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. The territory-wide weighted seroprevalence was 4.0% (95% CI:2.3-5.7). Characteristics/exposures independently associated with seropositivity using logistic regression included contact with cows (OR: 39.5; 95% CI: 9.0-172.7), seeing rodents/rodent evidence or contact with rodents (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1-5.9), and increasing age (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.002-1.04); full or partial Caucasian/White race was negatively correlated with seropositivity (OR: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.04-0.7). Bivariate analysis showed self-reported jaundice since the 2017 hurricanes (pRR: 5.7; 95% CI: 1.0-33.4) was associated with seropositivity and using a cover/lid on cisterns/rainwater collection containers (pRR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.08-0.8) was protective against seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Leptospirosis seropositivity of 4% across USVI demonstrates an important human disease that was previously unrecognized and emphasizes the importance of continued leptospirosis surveillance and investigation. Local risk factors identified may help guide future human and animal leptospirosis studies in USVI, strengthen leptospirosis public health surveillance and treatment timeliness, and inform targeted education, prevention, and control efforts.

Preterm birth among pregnant persons with severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between trimester of SARS-CoV-2 infection, illness severity, and risk for preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data for 6336 pregnant persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020 in the United States. Risk ratios for preterm birth were calculated for illness severity, trimester of infection, and illness severity stratified by trimester of infection adjusted for age, selected underlying medical conditions, and pregnancy complications. RESULT: Pregnant persons with critical COVID-19 or asymptomatic infection, compared to mild COVID-19, in the second or third trimester were at increased risk of preterm birth. Pregnant persons with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 did not show increased risk of preterm birth in any trimester. CONCLUSION: Critical COVID-19 in the second or third trimester was associated with increased risk of preterm birth. This finding can be used to guide prevention strategies, including vaccination, and inform clinical practices for pregnant persons.

A Cross-Sectional Household Survey in the US Virgin Islands (2019) Reveals Cisterns as Challenging Peridomestic Aedes aegypti Habitats.

Most residences in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) rely on household rainwater-catchment systems and subterranean cisterns for long-term water storage that may provide suitable habitats for mosquitoes of public health relevance. We conducted a household cistern survey (n = 164) on the islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas in 2019. The survey revealed that 45.7% (95% CI: 38.3-53.4%) of cisterns contained mosquitoes (adult and/or immature mosquitoes). Aedes aegypti, a vector of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses in the USVI, was found in 27.4% (95% CI: 21.2-34.7%) of cisterns and accounted for 83.3% of the total mosquitoes identified in the study. The odds of detecting mosquitoes in a cistern were 5.45 times higher at locations where the residents reported that they had observed adult mosquitoes coming out of their cisterns (95% CI: 2.25-14.21), suggesting that vector control personnel should consider resident complaints about mosquitoes in their cistern as valid and likely reliable self-assessments. Resident mosquito management practices in cisterns did not correspond with decreased odds of mosquito detection. We conclude that cisterns in the USVI commonly provide habitat for immature and adult Ae. aegypti, which may decrease the effectiveness of area-wide mosquito control strategies. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate the importance of these cisterns as they relate to mosquito production and arbovirus transmission risk, and to assess physical and chemical control methods.

Identifying possible inaccuracy in reported birth head circumference measurements among infants in the US Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry.

BACKGROUND: The US Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry (USZPIR) monitors infants born to mothers with confirmed or possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy. The surveillance case definition for Zika-associated birth defects includes microcephaly based on head circumference (HC). METHODS: We assessed birth and follow-up data from infants with birth HC measurements <3rd percentile and birthweight ≥10th percentile to determine possible misclassification of microcephaly. We developed a schema informed by literature review and expert opinion to identify possible HC measurement inaccuracy using HC growth velocity and longitudinal HC measurements between 2 and 12 months of age. Two or more HC measurements were required for assessment. Inaccuracy in birth HC measurement was suspected if growth velocity was >3 cm/month in the first 3 months or HC was consistently >25th percentile during follow-up. RESULTS: Of 6,799 liveborn infants in USZPIR, 351 (5.2%) had Zika-associated birth defects, of which 111 had birth HC measurements <3rd percentile and birthweight ≥10th percentile. Of 84/111 infants with sufficient follow-up, 38/84 (45%) were classified as having possible inaccuracy of birth HC measurement, 19/84 (23%) had HC ≥3rd percentile on follow-up without meeting criteria for possible inaccuracy, and 27/84 (32%) had continued HC <3rd percentile. After excluding possible inaccuracies, the proportion of infants with Zika-associated birth defects including microcephaly decreased from 5.2% to 4.6%. CONCLUSIONS: About one-third of infants in USZPIR with Zika-associated birth defects had only microcephaly, but indications of possible measurement inaccuracy were common. Implementation of this schema in longitudinal studies can reduce misclassification of microcephaly.

Assessing rodents as carriers of pathogenic Leptospira species in the U.S. Virgin Islands and their risk to animal and public health.

Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. We sought to determine if rodents in U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are carriers of Leptospira. In total, 140 rodents were sampled, including 112 Mus musculus and 28 Rattus rattus. A positive carrier status was identified for 64/140 (45.7%); 49 (35.0%) were positive by dark-field microscopy, 60 (42.9%) by culture, 63 (45.0%) by fluorescent antibody testing, and 61 (43.6%) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR). Molecular typing indicated that 48 isolates were L. borgpetersenii and 3 were L. kirschneri; the remaining nine comprised mixed species. In the single culture-negative sample that was rtPCR positive, genotyping directly from the kidney identified L. interrogans. Serotyping of L. borgpetersenii isolates identified serogroup Ballum and L. kirschneri isolates as serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae. These results demonstrate that rodents are significant Leptospira carriers and adds to understanding the ecoepidemiology of leptospirosis in USVI.

Zika-Associated Birth Defects Reported in Pregnancies with Laboratory Evidence of Confirmed or Possible Zika Virus Infection - U.S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry, December 1, 2015-March 31, 2018.

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects of the brain and eyes, including intracranial calcifications, cerebral or cortical atrophy, chorioretinal abnormalities, and optic nerve abnormalities (1,2). The frequency of these Zika-associated brain and eye defects, based on data from the U.S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry (USZPIR), has been previously reported in aggregate (3,4). This report describes the frequency of individual Zika-associated brain and eye defects among infants from pregnancies with laboratory evidence of confirmed or possible Zika virus infection. Among 6,799 live-born infants in USZPIR born during December 1, 2015-March 31, 2018, 4.6% had any Zika-associated birth defect; in a subgroup of pregnancies with a positive nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for Zika virus infection, the percentage was 6.1% of live-born infants. The brain and eye defects most frequently reported included microcephaly, corpus callosum abnormalities, intracranial calcification, abnormal cortical gyral patterns, ventriculomegaly, cerebral or cortical atrophy, chorioretinal abnormalities, and optic nerve abnormalities. Among infants with any Zika-associated birth defect, one third had more than one defect reported. Certain brain and eye defects in an infant might prompt suspicion of prenatal Zika virus infection. These findings can help target surveillance efforts to the most common brain and eye defects associated with Zika virus infection during pregnancy should a Zika virus outbreak reemerge, and might provide a signal to the reemergence of Zika virus, particularly in geographic regions without ongoing comprehensive Zika virus surveillance.

Mongooses (Urva auropunctata) as reservoir hosts of Leptospira species in the United States Virgin Islands, 2019-2020.

During 2019-2020, the Virgin Islands Department of Health investigated potential animal reservoirs of Leptospira spp., the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated Leptospira spp. exposure and carriage in the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata, syn: Herpestes auropunctatus), an invasive animal species. This study was conducted across the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), which are St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. We used the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), fluorescent antibody test (FAT), real-time polymerase chain reaction (lipl32 rt-PCR), and bacterial culture to evaluate serum and kidney specimens and compared the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of these laboratory methods. Mongooses (n = 274) were live-trapped at 31 field sites in ten regions across USVI and humanely euthanized for Leptospira spp. testing. Bacterial isolates were sequenced and evaluated for species and phylogenetic analysis using the ppk gene. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were detected in 34% (87/256) of mongooses. Reactions were observed with the following serogroups: Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Mini, Cynopteri, Australis, Hebdomadis, Autumnalis, Mankarso, Pomona, and Ballum. Of the kidney specimens examined, 5.8% (16/270) were FAT-positive, 10% (27/274) were culture-positive, and 12.4% (34/274) were positive by rt-PCR. Of the Leptospira spp. isolated from mongooses, 25 were L. borgpetersenii, one was L. interrogans, and one was L. kirschneri. Positive predictive values of FAT and rt-PCR testing for predicting successful isolation of Leptospira by culture were 88% and 65%, respectively. The isolation and identification of Leptospira spp. in mongooses highlights the potential role of mongooses as a wildlife reservoir of leptospirosis; mongooses could be a source of Leptospira spp. infections for other wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.

Determination of freedom-from-rabies for small Indian mongoose populations in the United States Virgin Islands, 2019-2020.

Mongooses, a nonnative species, are a known reservoir of rabies virus in the Caribbean region. A cross-sectional study of mongooses at 41 field sites on the US Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas captured 312 mongooses (32% capture rate). We determined the absence of rabies virus by antigen testing and rabies virus exposure by antibody testing in mongoose populations on all three islands. USVI is the first Caribbean state to determine freedom-from-rabies for its mongoose populations with a scientifically-led robust cross-sectional study. Ongoing surveillance activities will determine if other domestic and wildlife populations in USVI are rabies-free.

Exposure and Carriage of Pathogenic Leptospira in Livestock in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

From 2019-2020, the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) investigated potential animal reservoirs of Leptospira spp., the pathogenic bacteria that cause leptospirosis. We examined Leptospira exposure and carriage in livestock on the island of St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands (USVI). We utilized the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) to evaluate the sera, and the fluorescent antibody test (FAT), real time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR), and bacterial culture to evaluate urine specimens from livestock (n = 126): 28 cattle, 19 goats, 46 pigs, and 33 sheep. Seropositivity was 37.6% (47/125) with agglutinating antibodies to the following serogroups identified: Australis, Djasiman, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Ballum, Sejroe, Cynopteri, Autumnalis, Hebdomadis, Pomona, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, and Pyrogenes. Urine from 4 animals (4.0%, 4/101) was positive by rt-PCR for lipL32: 2 sheep, 1 goat, and 1 bull. Sequencing of secY amplicons identified L. interrogans in 1 sheep and 1 bull. Livestock in USVI harbor pathogenic Leptospira bacteria and could play a role in the zoonotic cycle of leptospirosis.