Combination of surveillance tools reveals that Yellow Fever virus can remain in the same Atlantic Forest area at least for three transmission seasons

BACKGROUND In Brazil, the Yellow Fever virus (YFV) is endemic in the Amazon, from where it eventually expands into epidemic waves. Coastal south-eastern (SE) Brazil, which has been a YFV-free region for eight decades, has reported a severe sylvatic outbreak since 2016. The virus spread from the north toward the south of the Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state, causing 307 human cases with 105 deaths during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 transmission seasons. It is unclear, however, whether the YFV would persist in the coastal Atlantic Forest of RJ during subsequent transmission seasons. OBJECTIVES To conduct a real-time surveillance and assess the potential persistence of YFV in the coastal Atlantic Forest of RJ during the 2018-2019 transmission season. METHODS We combined epizootic surveillance with fast diagnostic and molecular, phylogenetic, and evolutionary analyses. FINDINGS Using this integrative strategy, we detected the first evidence of YFV re-emergence in the third transmission season (2018-2019) in a dying howler monkey from the central region of the RJ state. The YFV detected in 2019 has the molecular signature associated with the current SE YFV outbreak and exhibited a close phylogenetic relationship with the YFV lineage that circulated in the same Atlantic Forest fragment during the past seasons. This lineage circulated along the coastal side of the Serra do Mar mountain chain, and its evolution seems to be mainly driven by genetic drift. The potential bridge vector Aedes albopictus was found probing on the recently dead howler monkey in the forest edge, very close to urban areas. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our data revealed that YFV transmission persisted at the same Atlantic Forest area for at least three consecutive transmission seasons without the need of new introductions. Our real-time surveillance strategy permitted health authorities to take preventive actions within 48 h after the detection of the sick non-human primate. The local virus persistence and the proximity of the epizootic forest to urban areas reinforces the concern with regards to the risk of re-urbanisation and seasonal re-emergence of YFV, stressing the need for continuous effective surveillance and high vaccination coverage in the SE region, particularly in RJ, an important tourist location.

Local and regional dynamics of chikungunya virus transmission in Colombia: the role of mismatched spatial heterogeneity.

BACKGROUND: Mathematical models of transmission dynamics are routinely fitted to epidemiological time series, which must inevitably be aggregated at some spatial scale. Weekly case reports of chikungunya have been made available nationally for numerous countries in the Western Hemisphere since late 2013, and numerous models have made use of this data set for forecasting and inferential purposes. Motivated by an abundance of literature suggesting that the transmission of this mosquito-borne pathogen is localized at scales much finer than nationally, we fitted models at three different spatial scales to weekly case reports from Colombia to explore limitations of analyses of nationally aggregated time series data. METHODS: We adapted the recently developed Disease Transmission Kernel (DTK)-Dengue model for modeling chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmission, given the numerous similarities of these viruses vectored by a common mosquito vector. We fitted versions of this model specified at different spatial scales to weekly case reports aggregated at different spatial scales: (1) single-patch national model fitted to national data; (2) single-patch departmental models fitted to departmental data; and (3) multi-patch departmental models fitted to departmental data, where the multiple patches refer to municipalities within a department. We compared the consistency of simulations from fitted models with empirical data. RESULTS: We found that model consistency with epidemic dynamics improved with increasing spatial granularity of the model. Specifically, the sum of single-patch departmental model fits better captured national-level temporal patterns than did a single-patch national model. Likewise, multi-patch departmental model fits better captured department-level temporal patterns than did single-patch departmental model fits. Furthermore, inferences about municipal-level incidence based on multi-patch departmental models fitted to department-level data were positively correlated with municipal-level data that were withheld from model fitting. CONCLUSIONS: Our model performed better when posed at finer spatial scales, due to better matching between human populations with locally relevant risk. Confronting spatially aggregated models with spatially aggregated data imposes a serious structural constraint on model behavior by averaging over epidemiologically meaningful spatial variation in drivers of transmission, impairing the ability of models to reproduce empirical patterns.

Optimal control approach for establishing wMelPop Wolbachia infection among wild Aedes aegypti populations.

Wolbachia-based biocontrol has recently emerged as a potential method for prevention and control of dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Major vector species, such as Aedes aegypti females, when deliberately infected with Wolbachia become less capable of getting viral infections and transmitting the virus to human hosts. In this paper, we propose an explicit sex-structured population model that describes an interaction of uninfected (wild) male and female mosquitoes and those deliberately infected with wMelPop strain of Wolbachia in the same locality. This particular strain of Wolbachia is regarded as the best blocker of dengue and other arboviral infections. However, wMelPop strain of Wolbachia also causes the loss of individual fitness in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Our model allows for natural introduction of the decision (or control) variable, and we apply the optimal control approach to simulate wMelPop Wolbachia infestation of wild Aedes aegypti populations. The control action consists in continuous periodic releases of mosquitoes previously infected with wMelPop strain of Wolbachia in laboratory conditions. The ultimate purpose of control is to find a tradeoff between reaching the population replacement in minimum time and with minimum cost of the control effort. This approach also allows us to estimate the number of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to be released in day-by-day control action. The proposed method of biological control is safe to human health, does not contaminate the environment, does not make harm to non-target species, and preserves their interaction with mosquitoes in the ecosystem.

Vigilancia de Enfermedades Transmitidas por el mosquito Aedes aegypti: Normativa actualizada al 6 de febrero 2018

La Ciudad de Buenos Aires cuenta con un Diagnóstico Situacional y Plan Estratégico - Operacional Integrado de Prevención, Control y Vigilancia de Enfermedades Transmitidas por el Mosquito Aedes aegypti, en el cual participan todos los organismos del Gobierno, diversas organizaciones y miembros de la comunidad, y es coordinado por el Ministerio de Salud de la Ciudad. En este documento se reseñan las actividades correspondientes a dos de los objetivos de ese Plan: Implementar acciones de vigilancia epidemiológica y virológica que permitan analizar e informar sobre la ocurrencia de casos de enfermedad e identificar precozmente el tipo del virus circulante , y asegurar el diagnóstico clínico precoz y el tratamiento adecuado en los distintos efectores asistenciales de la Ciudad.

Characterization of Three New Insect-Specific Flaviviruses: Their Relationship to the Mosquito-Borne Flavivirus Pathogens.

Three novel insect-specific flaviviruses, isolated from mosquitoes collected in Peru, Malaysia (Sarawak), and the United States, are characterized. The new viruses, designated La Tina, Kampung Karu, and Long Pine Key, respectively, are antigenically and phylogenetically more similar to the mosquito-borne flavivirus pathogens, than to the classical insect-specific viruses like cell fusing agent and Culex flavivirus. The potential implications of this relationship and the possible uses of these and other arbovirus-related insect-specific flaviviruses are reviewed.

Vigilancia entomológica de culícidos en la provincia de Matanzas durante el año 2015 / Entomological surveillance of culicids in the province of Matanzas during 2015

Introducción: la vigilancia entomológica es la recolección de información sobre los vectores de enfermedades y su entorno. Es un componente de la vigilancia epidemiológica, que consiste en una actividad del control de los vectores que se realiza durante todo el año, para conocer la presencia de estos en un área geográfica, la densidad de sus poblaciones, así como identificar los principales criaderos y los más productivos. Objetivo: identificación de las especies de culícidos que circularon en la provincia de Matanzas, durante el año 2015, así como la definición de la especie que predominó y tipificación de los depósitos más colonizados por estos en su fase de vida inmadura. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un análisis de las estadísticas de la vigilancia entomológica durante el año 2015. Según la metodología descrita en el Programa Nacional de Vigilancia y Lucha Antivectorial se clasificó los depósitos, se colectaron y diagnosticaron las muestras. Resultados: las muestras larvarias aportaron la mayor cantidad de datos. Los depósitos de agua situados en el exterior de las viviendas, y dentro de estos las larvitrampas fueron los más utilizados por los mosquitos. La especie predominante en fase inmadura fue Aedes albopictus, mientras que en fase adulta Culex quinquefasciatus. Conclusiones: se identificaron 5 géneros con 25 especies de culícidos, el 36,8 % de la fauna cubana. Como especie predominante se define al A. albopictus. Los depósitos más explotados por estos organismos según su ubicación, fueron los del exterior, y según su tipo, fueron las larvitrampas (grupo E) (AU).

Introduction: the entomological surveillance is the recollection of information on diseases´ vectors and their environment. It is part of the epidemiologic surveillance, and it is an activity of vectors controlling carried out around the year to determine their presence in a geographical area, the density of their populations, and to identify their main breeding places and the most productive ones. Objectives: to identify the culicids species living in the province of Matanzas during 2015, and also to define the predominating specie and to typify the deposits more colonized by them in the in-mature life stage. Materials and Methods: it was carried out an analysis of the entomological surveillance statistics during 2015. The reservoirs were classified, and the samples were collected and diagnosed according to the methodology described in the National Program of Antivectorial Surveillance and Struggle. Results: the larval samples gave the biggest quantity of data. The water reservoirs located outside the living accommodations, and among them the larval traps were the most used by mosquitoes. The predominant specie found in in-mature stage was Aedes albopictus, while Culex quinquefasciatus predominated in adult stage. Conclusions: 5 genus with 25 species of culicids were found, 36.8 of them part of the Cuban fauna. The Aedes albopictus was defined as the predominant specie. The reservoirs most used by these organisms were, according to their location, those located outside, and according to their type, the larval traps (group E) (AU).

Vigilancia entomológica de culícidos en la provincia de Matanzas durante el año 2015 / Entomological surveillance of culicids in the province of Matanzas during 2015

Introducción: la vigilancia entomológica es la recolección de información sobre los vectores de enfermedades y su entorno. Es un componente de la vigilancia epidemiológica, que consiste en una actividad del control de los vectores que se realiza durante todo el año, para conocer la presencia de estos en un área geográfica, la densidad de sus poblaciones, así como identificar los principales criaderos y los más productivos. Objetivo: identificación de las especies de culícidos que circularon en la provincia de Matanzas, durante el año 2015, así como la definición de la especie que predominó y tipificación de los depósitos más colonizados por estos en su fase de vida inmadura. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un análisis de las estadísticas de la vigilancia entomológica durante el año 2015. Según la metodología descrita en el Programa Nacional de Vigilancia y Lucha Antivectorial se clasificó los depósitos, se colectaron y diagnosticaron las muestras. Resultados: las muestras larvarias aportaron la mayor cantidad de datos. Los depósitos de agua situados en el exterior de las viviendas, y dentro de estos las larvitrampas fueron los más utilizados por los mosquitos. La especie predominante en fase inmadura fue Aedes albopictus, mientras que en fase adulta Culex quinquefasciatus. Conclusiones: se identificaron 5 géneros con 25 especies de culícidos, el 36,8 % de la fauna cubana. Como especie predominante se define al A. albopictus. Los depósitos más explotados por estos organismos según su ubicación, fueron los del exterior, y según su tipo, fueron las larvitrampas (grupo E) (AU).

Introduction: the entomological surveillance is the recollection of information on diseases´ vectors and their environment. It is part of the epidemiologic surveillance, and it is an activity of vectors controlling carried out around the year to determine their presence in a geographical area, the density of their populations, and to identify their main breeding places and the most productive ones. Objectives: to identify the culicids species living in the province of Matanzas during 2015, and also to define the predominating specie and to typify the deposits more colonized by them in the in-mature life stage. Materials and Methods: it was carried out an analysis of the entomological surveillance statistics during 2015. The reservoirs were classified, and the samples were collected and diagnosed according to the methodology described in the National Program of Antivectorial Surveillance and Struggle. Results: the larval samples gave the biggest quantity of data. The water reservoirs located outside the living accommodations, and among them the larval traps were the most used by mosquitoes. The predominant specie found in in-mature stage was Aedes albopictus, while Culex quinquefasciatus predominated in adult stage. Conclusions: 5 genus with 25 species of culicids were found, 36.8 of them part of the Cuban fauna. The Aedes albopictus was defined as the predominant specie. The reservoirs most used by these organisms were, according to their location, those located outside, and according to their type, the larval traps (group E) (AU).

Investigación para el diagnóstico situacional local de la epidemia de ETM: Intervenciones preventivas para su contención: Área Programática del Hospital General de Agudos Juan A. Fernández 2015-2016 / Research for the local situational diagnosis of ETM epidemic: Preventive interventions for its containment: Acute General Hospital Juan A. Fernández Programmatic Area 2015-2016

El plan de Prevención y Control de Enfermedades Transmitidas por Mosquito (ETM): Dengue, Fiebre Chikungunya, Amarilla, y Zika de la CABA establece cuatro escenarios teóricos de riesgo que orientan la implementación de las acciones de prevención y control. En el presente informe se presentan los estudios de foco investigados en nuestra Área Programática (AP) y su georreferencia, a fin de obtener un diagnóstico situacional local que permita la ejecución de intervenciones oportunas y eficaces a fin de limitar la aparición de nuevos casos en el contexto epidémico 2015-2016. El objetivo general fue estudiar la epidemia de ETM para su comprensión y abordaje en el Área Programática del Hospital General de Agudos Juan A. Fernández, y el objetivo específico, prevenir y limitar la aparición de nuevos casos de ETM. (AU)

Algunas especificidades sobre la enfermedad por el virus del Zika / Some specificities on the disease due to Zika virus

Teniendo en cuenta que en los momentos actuales existen emergencias y reemergencias de enfermedades infecciosas, fundamentalmente en zonas tropicales, se impone advertir a los profesionales de la salud y autoridades sanitarias, sobre la amenaza que representa el virus del Zika. A tales efectos se realizó una revisión bibliográfica exhaustiva donde se analizan algunos aspectos de interés, tales como: vectores y reservorios, modos de transmisión, manifestaciones clínicas, diagnóstico diferencial y tratamiento, entre otros, lo cual ayudará a elevar y nivel de conocimientos al respecto y estar preparados ante cualquier epidemia

Taking into account that nowadays emergencies and reemergencies of infectious diseases exist, fundamentally in tropical areas, it is necessary to advice health professionals and health authorities, about the threat that represents the Zika virus. To such effects an exhaustive literature review was carried out where some aspects of interest are analyzed, such as: vectors and pouches, transmission ways, clinical features, differential diagnosis and treatment, among others, which will help to increase the knowledge level in this respect and be prepared to face any epidemic disease of this nature

Ficha epidemiológica integrada para enfermedades transmitidas por mosquitos Aedes aegypti (ETMAa)

Ficha epidemiológica para adjuntar a las muestras de laboratorio y/o para investigación local: datos del paciente, datos del notificador, datos clínicos, antecedentes epidemiológicos, laboratorio virológico, y evolución y clasificación final.

Diagnóstico situacional de la notificación de enfermedades transmitidas por mosquitos en el Hospital General de Agudos Cosme Argerich / Diagnosis of notification of mosquito-borne diseases at General Acute Hospital Cosme Argerich

El objetivo del presente diagnóstico es describir la modalidad de presentación de los casos de Enfermedad Transmitidas por Mosquitos (ETM) notificados a la División de Promoción y Protección desde los Servicios del Hospital Argerich y el Área Programática del Hospital Argerich y otras instituciones, entre la Semana Epidemiológica (SE) 1 y 32 del corriente año. Por su potencial epidémico el Dengue, la Fiebre Zika y la Fiebre Chikungunya son Eventos de Notificación Obligatoria en Argentina (Ley Nº 15465/60) y como tal, todo caso que demande atención en un establecimiento de salud y en el que se sospeche la enfermedad debe ser notificado a través del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia de la Salud (SNVS) de acuerdo al escenario epidemiológico. (AU)

Prevención Enfermedades Transmitidas por Mosquitos (ETM): Manual para el Vecino Multiplicador

Manual orientado al trabajo del vecino de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, donde se propone un trabajo articulado de acciones de prevención en la manzana en la que vive ese vecino. El objetivo es implementar estas actividades a través de la participación comunitaria en forma amplia y sostenida, para disminuir la población de mosquitos en los meses de verano.

Red de multipicadores, organizaciones e instituciones multiplicadoras: Guía de participación social para multiplicadores

El propósito de la guía es ofrecer herramientas que ayuden a enfrentar problema complejos, en cuanto a la prevención y control de mosquitos transmisores de enfermedades, reducir la intensidad de la transmisión durante las epidemias, y mejorar las condiciones medioambientales en aspectos importantes para la calidad de vida.