The Study of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) Circulation and Vectors at the Municipal Parks and Zoobotanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (FPMZB-BH).

Bluetongue Virus (BTV) and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) are Orbiviruses primarily transmitted by their biological vector, Culicoides spp. Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). These viruses can infect a diverse range of vertebrate hosts, leading to disease outbreaks in domestic and wild ruminants worldwide. This study, conducted at the Belo Horizonte Municipal Parks and Zoobotany Foundation (FPMZB-BH), Minas Gerais, Brazil, focused on Orbivirus and its vectors. Collections of Culicoides spp. were carried out at the FPMZB-BH from 9 December 2021 to 18 November 2022. A higher prevalence of these insects was observed during the summer months, especially in February. Factors such as elevated temperatures, high humidity, fecal accumulation, and proximity to large animals, like camels and elephants, were associated with increased Culicoides capture. Among the identified Culicoides spp. species, Culicoides insignis Lutz, 1913, constituted 75%, and Culicoides pusillus Lutz, 1913, 6% of the collected midges, both described as competent vectors for Orbivirus transmission. Additionally, a previously unreported species in Minas Gerais, Culicoides debilipalpis Lutz, 1913, was identified, also suspected of being a transmitter of these Orbiviruses. The feeding preferences of some Culicoides species were analyzed, revealing that C. insignis feeds on deer, Red deer (Cervus elaphus) and European fallow deer (Dama dama). Different Culicoides spp. were also identified feeding on humans, raising concerns about the potential transmission of arboviruses at the site. In parallel, 72 serum samples from 14 susceptible species, including various Cervids, collected between 2012 and 2022 from the FPMZB-BH serum bank, underwent Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) testing for BTV and EHDV. The results showed 75% seropositivity for BTV and 19% for EHDV. Post-testing analysis revealed variations in antibody presence against BTV in a tapir and a fallow deer and against EHDV in a gemsbok across different years. These studies confirm the presence of BTV and EHDV vectors, along with potential virus circulation in the zoo. Consequently, implementing control measures is essential to prevent susceptible species from becoming infected and developing clinical diseases.

Detection of a novel reassortant epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 6 in cattle in Trinidad, West Indies, containing nine RNA segments derived from exotic EHDV strains with an Australian origin.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a Culicoides-transmitted orbivirus that infects domestic and wild ruminants in many parts of the world. Of the eight proposed serotypes, only EHDV-1, 2 and 6 have been reported to be present in the Americas. Following the identification of a virulent EHD-6 reasssortant virus in the USA in 2007 (EHDV-6 Indiana), with outer coat protein segments derived from an Australian strain of EHDV and all remaining segments derived from a locally circulating EHDV-2 strain, questions have remained about the origin of the Australian parent strain and how it may have arrived in the USA. When EHDV-6 was identified in asymptomatic cattle imported into the Caribbean island of Trinidad in 2013, full genome sequencing was carried out to further characterise the virus. The EHDV-6 Trinidad was a reassortant virus, with 8 of its 10 segments, being derived from the same exotic Australian EHDV-6 strain as the VP2 and VP5 present in the EHDV-6 Indiana strain from the USA. Analyses of the two remaining segments revealed that segment 8 showed the highest nucleotide identity (90.4%) with a USA New Jersey strain of EHDV-1, whereas segment 4 had the highest nucleotide identity (96.5%) with an Australian EHDV-2 strain. This data strongly suggests that the Trinidad EHDV-6 has an Australian origin, receiving its segment 4 from a reassortment event with an EHDV-2 also from Australia. This reassortant virus likely came to the Americas, where it received its segment 8 from a locally-circulating (as yet unknown) EHDV strain. This virus then may have gained entry into the USA, where it further reassorted with a known locally-circulating EHDV-2, the resulting strain being EHDV-6 Indiana. This study therefore identifies, for the first time, the likely minor parent virus of the EHDV-6 currently circulating in the USA.

First molecular and serological detection of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus in white tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) from Tamaulipas, Mexico / Primeira detecção molecular e sorológica do vírus Doença Hemorrágica Epizoótica em veados de cauda branca (Odocoileus virginianus) de Tamaulipas, Mexico

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses (EHDV) are dsRNA arboviruses transmitted by biting midges of the genus Culicoides that cause disease in domestic and wild ruminants. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is considered the most important infectious disease of white tailed deer (WTD) in North America, some studies in Northeast Mexico reported EHDV-seropositive WTD and EHDV-infected Culicoides vectors. The increasing population of WTD that share habitat with livestock in Northeast México highlights the importance of EHD for the livestock industry in the transboundary region with the U.S. One hundred and twenty two samples from WTD in Tamaulipas state, Mexico were tested by ELISA and RT-PCR for EHDV antibodies and nucleic acid, respectively. Twelve animals were seropositive to ELISA and eleven animals were positive by RT-PCR. This is the first report of EHDV nucleic acid detection in WTD from Mexico. It is hypothesized that applying the transboundary disease approach to interdisciplinary research will help fill knowledge gaps, which could help develop countermeasures to mitigate the threat of EHDV infection in wildlife and livestock along the U.S.-Mexico border.(AU)

Virus da doença hemorrágica epizoótica (EHDV) são arbovírus dsRNA transmitidos por mordidas do genus Culicoides que causam doenças em ruminantes domésticos e selvagens. Doença hemorrágica epizoótica (EHD) é considerada uma das doenças infecciosas mais importantes dos veados de cauda branca (WTD) na América do Norte. Alguns estudos no Nordeste do México relatam soropositividade para EHDV em WTD e vetores Culicoides infectados com EHDV. A crescente população de WTD que compartilham hábitats com pecuária no Nordeste do México realçam a importância de EHD para a indústria pecuária na região de fronteira com os Estados Unidos. Cento e vinte duas amostras de WTD no estado de Tamaulipas, Mexico, foram testados por ELISA e RT-PCR para anticorpos e ácido nucleico de EHDV, respectivamente. Esse é o primeiro relato de detecção de ácido nucleico de EHDV em WTD do México. A hipótese é de que a aplicação de uma resposta transfronteira e pesquisa interdisciplinar ajudará a preencher lacunas de conhecimento levando a medidas reativas para mitigar a ameaça de infecção por EHDV na pecuária e animais selvagens na fronteira entre os Estados Unidos e o Mexico.(AU)

First molecular and serological detection of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus in white tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) from Tamaulipas, Mexico / Primeira detecção molecular e sorológica do vírus Doença Hemorrágica Epizoótica em veados de cauda branca (Odocoileus virginianus) de Tamaulipas, Mexico

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses (EHDV) are dsRNA arboviruses transmitted by biting midges of the genus Culicoides that cause disease in domestic and wild ruminants. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is considered the most important infectious disease of white tailed deer (WTD) in North America, some studies in Northeast Mexico reported EHDV-seropositive WTD and EHDV-infected Culicoides vectors. The increasing population of WTD that share habitat with livestock in Northeast México highlights the importance of EHD for the livestock industry in the transboundary region with the U.S. One hundred and twenty two samples from WTD in Tamaulipas state, Mexico were tested by ELISA and RT-PCR for EHDV antibodies and nucleic acid, respectively. Twelve animals were seropositive to ELISA and eleven animals were positive by RT-PCR. This is the first report of EHDV nucleic acid detection in WTD from Mexico. It is hypothesized that applying the transboundary disease approach to interdisciplinary research will help fill knowledge gaps, which could help develop countermeasures to mitigate the threat of EHDV infection in wildlife and livestock along the U.S.-Mexico border.(AU)

Virus da doença hemorrágica epizoótica (EHDV) são arbovírus dsRNA transmitidos por mordidas do genus Culicoides que causam doenças em ruminantes domésticos e selvagens. Doença hemorrágica epizoótica (EHD) é considerada uma das doenças infecciosas mais importantes dos veados de cauda branca (WTD) na América do Norte. Alguns estudos no Nordeste do México relatam soropositividade para EHDV em WTD e vetores Culicoides infectados com EHDV. A crescente população de WTD que compartilham hábitats com pecuária no Nordeste do México realçam a importância de EHD para a indústria pecuária na região de fronteira com os Estados Unidos. Cento e vinte duas amostras de WTD no estado de Tamaulipas, Mexico, foram testados por ELISA e RT-PCR para anticorpos e ácido nucleico de EHDV, respectivamente. Esse é o primeiro relato de detecção de ácido nucleico de EHDV em WTD do México. A hipótese é de que a aplicação de uma resposta transfronteira e pesquisa interdisciplinar ajudará a preencher lacunas de conhecimento levando a medidas reativas para mitigar a ameaça de infecção por EHDV na pecuária e animais selvagens na fronteira entre os Estados Unidos e o Mexico.(AU)

Bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus survey in cattle of the Galapagos Islands.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) have both been reported in mainland Ecuador, but their occurrence was unknown in the Galapagos Islands, an Ecuadorian province. We aimed to detect BTV or EHDV in cattle from the 3 main cattle-producing Galapagos Islands at a between-herd design prevalence of 20% and a within-herd design prevalence of 15%. Blood samples were collected from 410 cattle in 33 farms and tested for antibodies against BTV and EHDV by competitive ELISAs. All results were negative, suggesting that BTV and EHDV are not present in the Galapagos Islands.

Identification and characterization of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 6 in cattle co-infected with bluetongue virus in Trinidad, West Indies.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is an economically important virus that can cause severe clinical disease in deer and to a lesser extent cattle. This study set out to determine and characterize which EHDV serotypes were circulating in Trinidad. Serum and whole blood samples were collected monthly for six months from a cohort of cattle imported to Trinidad from the USA. Results revealed that all the cattle seroconverted to EHDV within six months of their arrival, with EHDV RNA being detected in the samples just prior to antibodies, as expected. Serotyping assays revealed that a single serotype (EHDV-6) was circulating in the cattle. Sequencing of the surface viral protein (VP2) of EHDV-6, followed by phylogenetic analysis, revealed that the Trinidad EHDV-6 strain was closely related to EHDV-6 viruses found in Guadeloupe (2010), Martinique (2010) and USA (2006), with 96-97.2% nucleotide identity. The Trinidad EHDV-6 VP-2 shared 97.2% identity with the Australian EHDV-6 prototype strain, classifying it within the eastern topotype clade. Bayesian coalescent analysis support Australia as the most probable source for the EHDV-6 VP2 sequences in the Americas and Caribbean region and suggests that the they diverged from the Australian prototype strain around 1966 (95% HPD 1941-1979).

Multiple bluetongue virus serotypes causing death in Brazilian dwarf brocket deer (Mazama nana) in Brazil, 2015-2016.

Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary (RBV) is a protected area of Itaipu Binacional, a hydroelectric power company located on the border of Brazil and Paraguay. A captive population of Brazilian dwarf brocket deer (Mazama nana, Cervidae, Artiodactyla) is maintained for conservation purposes. Despite the reproductive success of the animals, outbreaks of a fatal hemorrhagic disease have been registered over the years, compromising conservation efforts. In order to identify the etiological agents of these hemorrhagic diseases, 32 captive Brazilian dwarf brockets were sampled to investigate bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), and adenovirus hemorrhagic disease (AHD), in 2015. Only one deer (1/32; 3.12%) was seropositive for BTV. After this survey, five animals died in the early autumn of 2015 and 2016, again presenting clinical signs of hemorrhagic disease. Using RT-qPCR, RT-PCR and DNA sequencing, five BTV serotypes (3, 14, 18, 19, and 22) were identified in blood and tissues collected during necropsies. These BTV serotypes had not been previously described or isolated in Brazil, either in wild or domestic ruminants. Additionally, differential diagnosis was performed for EHD and AHD, but all samples were negative for both diseases. The multiple distinct BTV serotypes identified in these outbreaks resulted in a high lethality (100%) of Brazilian dwarf brockets and indicated that various BTV serotypes are circulating in the area.

Hematologic Parameters and Viral Status for Zika, Chikungunya, Bluetongue, and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) on St. John, US Virgin Islands.

A population of white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) resides throughout the island of St. John, US Virgin Islands, predominately in the Virgin Islands National Park. Adult deer ( n=23), ranging from 1 yr to 8 yr old, were assessed to characterize body condition and health. Serologic samples were screened for important viral pathogens in the area, including Zika, chikungunya, bluetongue, and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses. Samples were collected in July 2016; males were in velvet and all females were in diestrus. Deer had recovered from a severe drought the previous year but were generally healthy, with a low-level but high incidence of tick parasitism. Marked statistically significant changes in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were associated with the effects of the anesthetic mixture used for capture. No other statistically significant differences were observed. Serum from four deer induced reduction in Zika virus plaques, suggesting possible exposure. No serum was reactive for chikungunya virus. Bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease antibodies were present in 50% of the sampled deer, but no clinical signs associated with disease were observed during the study period. These data will be valuable for future dynamic health assessment and may help assess changes to the population, such as those induced by climate change, infectious disease, or other demographic events.

Detection of bluetongue virus in Brazilian cervids in São Paulo state / Detecção de vírus da língua azul em cervídeos brasileiros no estado de São Paulo

Viral hemorrhagic diseases in cervids occur worldwide and include epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), bluetongue (BT), and adenoviral hemorrhagic disease (AHD). Since gross lesions in all three hemorrhagic diseases are identical (hemorrhagic enteropathy, pulmonary edema, systemic petechial and suffusion hemorrhages), it is necessary to use accurate techniques for a definitive etiologic diagnosis. Archival material (paraffin blocks) at the Department of Veterinary Pathology of FCAV - Unesp was reviewed for lesions of hemorrhagic disease and 42 captive and free-living Brazilian deer were selected to include in this study. Paraffin-embedded tissues were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and tested negative for adenovirus. Using real time RT-PCR, EHD virus was not detected in paraffin-embedded tissues in any of the cases evaluated. The same technique was used for detection of BT virus and seven positive animals (16,66%) were confirmed after agarose 4% gel electrophoresis and gene sequencing. The main macroscopic changes observed in the positive animals were hemorrhagic intestinal contents, reddish mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcers on tongue and petechiae in various organs. Microscopic changes observed were lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate in liver, kidney and lungs, hemorrhage, and congestion in various organs. All positive cases were from captive animals, three females (two young and one adult), and four young males. This study demonstrates that the bluetongue virus is involved in hemorrhagic disease outbreaks of deer in Brazil.(AU)

Doenças hemorrágicas virais em cervídeos ocorrem no mundo todo e incluem a doença epizoótica hemorrágica (DEH), língua azul (LA), e doença hemorrágica por adenovírus (DHA). Uma vez que as lesões nas três doenças hemorrágicas são idênticas (enteropatia hemorrágica, edema pulmonar, petéquias sistêmicas e sufusões hemorrágicas), é necessário utilizar técnicas precisas para um diagnóstico etiológico definitivo. Material de arquivo (blocos de parafina) do Departamento de Patologia Veterinária da FCAV - Unesp foi revisado para lesões de doenças hemorrágicas e 42 cervídeos brasileiros de cativeiro e de vida livre foram selecionados e incluídos neste estudo. Tecidos embebidos em parafina foram avaliados usando imunohistoquímica e foram negativos para adenovírus. Usando o RT-PCR em tempo real, o vírus da DEH não foi detectado nos tecidos de nenhum dos casos avaliados. A mesma técnica foi utilizada para detecção do vírus da LA e sete animais positivos (16,66%) foram confirmados após eletroforese em gel de agarose a 4% e sequenciamento genético. As principais alterações macroscópicas observadas nos animais positivos foram conteúdo intestinal hemorrágico, mucosa do trato gastrointestinal avermelhada, úlceras na língua e petéquias em vários órgãos. As alterações microscópicas observadas foram infiltrado inflamatório linfocítico em fígado, rins e pulmões, e hemorragia e congestão em vários órgãos. Todos os casos positivos foram de animais de cativeiro, três fêmeas (dois jovens e um adulto), e quatro jovens do sexo masculino. Este estudo demonstra que o vírus da lingual azul está envolvido nos surtos de doença hemorrágica em veados no Brasil.(AU)

Detection of bluetongue virus in Brazilian cervids in São Paulo state / Detecção de vírus da língua azul em cervídeos brasileiros no estado de São Paulo

Viral hemorrhagic diseases in cervids occur worldwide and include epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), bluetongue (BT), and adenoviral hemorrhagic disease (AHD). Since gross lesions in all three hemorrhagic diseases are identical (hemorrhagic enteropathy, pulmonary edema, systemic petechial and suffusion hemorrhages), it is necessary to use accurate techniques for a definitive etiologic diagnosis. Archival material (paraffin blocks) at the Department of Veterinary Pathology of FCAV - Unesp was reviewed for lesions of hemorrhagic disease and 42 captive and free-living Brazilian deer were selected to include in this study. Paraffin-embedded tissues were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and tested negative for adenovirus. Using real time RT-PCR, EHD virus was not detected in paraffin-embedded tissues in any of the cases evaluated. The same technique was used for detection of BT virus and seven positive animals (16,66%) were confirmed after agarose 4% gel electrophoresis and gene sequencing. The main macroscopic changes observed in the positive animals were hemorrhagic intestinal contents, reddish mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcers on tongue and petechiae in various organs. Microscopic changes observed were lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate in liver, kidney and lungs, hemorrhage, and congestion in various organs. All positive cases were from captive animals, three females (two young and one adult), and four young males. This study demonstrates that the bluetongue virus is involved in hemorrhagic disease outbreaks of deer in Brazil.(AU)

Doenças hemorrágicas virais em cervídeos ocorrem no mundo todo e incluem a doença epizoótica hemorrágica (DEH), língua azul (LA), e doença hemorrágica por adenovírus (DHA). Uma vez que as lesões nas três doenças hemorrágicas são idênticas (enteropatia hemorrágica, edema pulmonar, petéquias sistêmicas e sufusões hemorrágicas), é necessário utilizar técnicas precisas para um diagnóstico etiológico definitivo. Material de arquivo (blocos de parafina) do Departamento de Patologia Veterinária da FCAV - Unesp foi revisado para lesões de doenças hemorrágicas e 42 cervídeos brasileiros de cativeiro e de vida livre foram selecionados e incluídos neste estudo. Tecidos embebidos em parafina foram avaliados usando imunohistoquímica e foram negativos para adenovírus. Usando o RT-PCR em tempo real, o vírus da DEH não foi detectado nos tecidos de nenhum dos casos avaliados. A mesma técnica foi utilizada para detecção do vírus da LA e sete animais positivos (16,66%) foram confirmados após eletroforese em gel de agarose a 4% e sequenciamento genético. As principais alterações macroscópicas observadas nos animais positivos foram conteúdo intestinal hemorrágico, mucosa do trato gastrointestinal avermelhada, úlceras na língua e petéquias em vários órgãos. As alterações microscópicas observadas foram infiltrado inflamatório linfocítico em fígado, rins e pulmões, e hemorragia e congestão em vários órgãos. Todos os casos positivos foram de animais de cativeiro, três fêmeas (dois jovens e um adulto), e quatro jovens do sexo masculino. Este estudo demonstra que o vírus da lingual azul está envolvido nos surtos de doença hemorrágica em veados no Brasil.(AU)

Novel serotype of bluetongue virus in South America and first report of epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus in Ecuador.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) and Epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) are closely related Orbiviruses that affect domestic and wild ruminants. In Ecuador previous serological studies reported the presence of BTV; however, no data are available about the presence of EHDV. In this study, 295 cattle without symptoms of infection were sampled from two farms located in Andean and Amazonian regions and from a slaughterhouse in the coastal region. ELISA analyses showed high prevalence of BTV (98.9%) and EHDV (81.3%) antibodies, and RT-qPCRs revealed the presence of EHDV (24.1%) and BTV (10.2%) genomes in cattle blood samples. Viral isolation allowed to identify EHDV serotype 1 (EHDV1) and BTV serotypes 9 (BTV9), 13 and 18. These findings suggest that BTV and EHDV are enzootic diseases in Ecuador.

Directiva sanitaria para la vigilancia epidemiológica de las enfermedades zoonóticas, accidentes por animales ponzoñosos y epizootias / Sanitary Directive on the epidemiological surveillance of zoonotic diseases, accidents by venomous animals and animal diseases

La presente publicación establece los procedimientos para la vigilancia epidemiológica y notificación de las enfermedades zoonóticas, accidentes por animales ponzoñosos y epizootias, en los establecimientos de salud públicos y privados del país, con la finalidad de fortalecer la vigilancia y notificación de los principales eventos de origen zoonótico, estandarizando las definiciones de casos y los procesos de notificación de las zoonosis a nivel de todos los establecimientos y servicios de salud, públicos y privados del Perú, para contribuir a la prevención y control de las enfermedades zoonóticas y accidentes por animales ponzoñosos(AU)

Directiva sanitaria para la vigilancia epidemiológica de las enfermedades zoonóticas, accidentes por animales ponzoñosos y epizootias / Sanitary directive for the epidemiological surveillance of zoonotic diseases, accidents by poisonous animals and epizootics

La publicación establece los procedimientos para la vigilancia epidemiológica y por animales ponzoñosos y epizootias, en los establecimientos de salud públicos y privados del país, con la finalidad de fortalecer la vigilancia y notificación de los principales eventos de origen zoonótico, estandarizando las definiciones de casos y los procesos de notificación de las zoonosis a nivel de todos los establecimientos y servicios de salud, públicos y privados del Perú, para contribuir a la prevención y control de las enfermedades zoonóticas y accidentes por animales ponzoñosos notificación de las enfermedades zoonóticas, accidentes.

Directiva sanitaria para la vigilancia epidemiológica de las enfermedades zoonóticas, accidentes por animales ponzoñosos y epizootias / Sanitary Directive on the epidemiological surveillance of zoonotic diseases, accidents by venomous animals and animal diseases

La publicación establece los procedimientos para la vigilancia epidemiológica y notificación de las enfermedades zoonóticas, accidentes por animales ponzoñosos y epizootias, en los establecimientos de salud públicos y privados del país, con la finalidad de fortalecer la vigilancia y notificación de los principales eventos de origen zoonótico, estandarizando las definiciones de casos y los procesos de notificación de las zoonosis a nivel de todos los establecimientos y servicios de salud, públicos y privados del Perú, para contribuir a la prevención y control de las enfermedades zoonóticas y accidentes por animales ponzoñosos

Identification of bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotypes in French Guiana in 2011 and 2012.

In French Guiana, the sero- and viro-prevalence of Bluetongue virus (BTV) is high but the circulating serotypes remain unknown. No data are available regarding the prevalence of Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and to identify the circulating serotypes of these two Orbiviruses in this region (BTV and EHDV). Blood samples were collected in main livestock areas, from 122 young cattle between June and August 2011, to perform virological (PCR and viral isolation) and serological (ELISA) analyses. Moreover, samples from sheep and goat showing BTV-like clinical signs and from newly imported animals were analyzed using the same assays. Results confirmed an important viral circulation, with viro- and seroprevalence of 85% and 84% and 60% and 40% for BTV and EHDV, respectively. Ten Orbivirus serotypes were identified (BTV-1, 2, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17 and 24, EHDV-1 and 6). The circulation of many serotypes in intertropical America and in the Caribbean region underlines the need to establish measures to monitor and control animal movements.

Estudo das características epidemiológicas da febre amarela no Brasil, nas áreas fora da Amazônia Legal, no período de 1999 a 2003 / Study of the epidemiologic characteristic of the yellow fever in Brazil

(...) Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar a ocorrência e as características da febre amarela nas regiões fora dos limites da Amazônia Legal e compará-las com algumas características dos casos procedentes desta região no período de 1999 a 2003, analisando a reemergência de um padrão epizoótico-epidêmico. O referencial teórico aborda aspectos históricos, o ciclo básico da febre amarela silvestre, a espacialização de doenças, a teoria de foco natural de doenças e o processo infeccioso. Dois bancos de dados foram analisados, um relativo aos casos humanos e outro às mortes de primatas não humanos, ambos construídos na Gerência Técnica de Febre Amarela a partir de notificações oriundas das Secretarias Estaduais de Saúde. Foram confirmados 281 casos de febre amarela silvestre no período, sendo 176 (62,6 por cento) fora da Amazônia Legal. Foram registradas mortes de primatas não humanos em 176 localidades de 100 municípios em cinco estados situados fora da Amazônia Legal. Observou-se que o processo epizoótico em primatas que, em geral, permite o aparecimento de casos humanos de febre amarela, encontra-se difundido atualmente para além da Amazônia Legal. A distribuição espacial desses eventos permitiu identificar sua ocorrência em áreas antropizadas dos diferentes biomas e bacias hidrográficas, predominando em locais com vegetação do tipo savana. São discutidas também as perspectivas de utilização das informações espaço-temporais de marcadores de epizootias no aperfeiçoamento da vigilância e controle de ações prospectivas.

Epidemiological Alert, Severe respiratory disease in Colombia, Influenza outbreaks in Tocantins, Brazil; Influenza (H9N2) in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (SAR) and Epizootic in primates of the Rorainópolis municipality, Roraima, Brazil (11 December 2003)

From September 25th to November 28th, 2003 38 cases of a severe acute respiratory disease have been reported to the Colombian National Institute of Health (INS). The illness develops in a range of 10 to 7 days. The disease begins with high respiratory symptoms and fever, cough (with or without expectoration), dyspnea, headache, asthenia, and/or adynamia. Diarrhea, vomit or intense thoracic pain can also be present. Chest x-rays show interstitial and alveolar infiltrates. This illness has resulted in 13 deaths.

Entre el 25 de septiembre y el 28 de noviembre 2003 se han notificado al Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) 38 casos de una enfermedad respiratoria grave, de curso rápido, que oscila entre 10 horas y 7 días de evolución. La enfermedad comienza con un cuadro de vías respiratorias altas, e incluye fiebre, tos con o sin expectoración, disnea, cefalea, astenia, adinamia y puede acompañarse de diarrea, vómito o intenso dolor torácico. Las radiografías de tórax muestran infiltrados intersticiales ó con infiltrados alveolares. Cuatro pacientes tenían antecedentes patológicos de importancia, entre ellos, EPOC, síndrome de hipercoagulabilidad e hiperreactividad bronquial. Se han notificado 13 muertes.

Serosurvey for selected disease agents in white-tailed deer from Mexico.

Serum samples from 350 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) collected in March 1994 from northeastern Mexico were tested for the prevalence of antibody activity against five infectious diseases of ruminants. The prevalence rate was 81% for bluetongue virus (BTV) of all serotypes, 72% for epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), 3% for Borrelia burgdorferi, 69% for Anaplasma marginale, and 0% for Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, and B. ovis. These are diseases that affect domestic ruminants, and deer may act as a reservoir of infection. In addition, if deer are translocated, they may introduce pathogens to formerly disease-free areas. The high seroprevalence of BTV and EHDV cannot be related to the presence of hemorrhagic disease in the deer in this region. This is the first report to indicate the presence of B. burgdorferi infection of deer in Mexico. Despite the high prevalence of A. marginale titers, it is uncertain that deer play a role in the epizootiology of cattle anaplasmosis in the region. Apparently, white-tailed deer are unimportant in the epizootiology of brucellosis of both cattle and goats in northeastern Mexico.