Initial report of a hepatitis investigation in rural Belize

In spring 1991, Belizian health officials expressed concern about a possible hepatitis outbreak in a banana farming district. A study was designed to identify cases and to address the serological prevalence of hepatitis virus markers. Three populations were studied: (i) persons meeting a clinical case definition for hepatitis; (ii) designated banana workers; and (iii) people in a random sample of households in the community. Information was collected using questionnaires and sera were collected for laboratory testing. This report presents the preliminary results of a study conducted in June 1991. Among people who met the clinical case definition, 24 percent of 42 tested had immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (anti-HBc IgM). In the worker and household survey populations, 248 and 280 people, respectively, were tested for anti-HBc IgM. In each group, 4 percent were positive. HBV surface antigen was found in 37 percent of 43 clinical cases, 18 percent of workers, and 13 percent of people in the household survey. Among the 3 study populations, the prevalence of HBV core antibody (anti-HBc) ranged from 73 percent to 81 percent. Almost all tested persons had evidence of prior infection with hepatitis viruses A and B was widespread, but an aetiology could not be established for most of the clinical cases. However, the prevalence of hepatitis B markers in this population was very high compared to other reports from the Caribbean (AU)

The prevalence of hepatitis A and B infection among different ethnic groups in Belize - abstract

Little is known about the prevalence of infection with hepatitis viruses in Belize, Central America. We conducted a serological survey among members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), which comprises the five major ethnic groups in Belize, in order to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis A and B among men and women of military age in Belize. Of approximately 600 men and women in the BDF, 394 (66 per cent) volunteered to participate. Antibody to hepatitis A was found in 95 per cent with similar rates by age, rank and ethnicity. Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was found in 31 per cent. The prevalence of anti-HBc varied significantly among the ethnic groups, with the lowest rates in Mayan Indians (5 per cent) and Mestizo (7 per cent), with significantly higher rates among Creoles (30 per cent) and Garifuna (54 per cent). Rates increased with increasing age from 25 per cent in those 18 - 24 years to 35 per cent in those over 35 years of age (p = 0.6, chi-square for trend). Hepatitis B surface antigen was found in 15 (4 per cent) overall. Rates of hepatitis A and B antibodies among 70 military recruits (mean age 20 years) were similar to those among regular forces; anti-HAV was found in 91 per cent, anti-HBc in 34 per cent, and HBsAg in 6 per cent. In this young healthy population, exposure to hepatitis A before the age of 18 years is almost universal, while exposure to hepatitis B is related to age and ethnicity (AU)

Initial report of a viral hepatitis investigation in rural Belize - abstract

In spring 1991, concern was expressed in Belize about a hepatitis outbreak. A cross-sectional study was designed to address hepatitis prevalence in a farming district. Three populations were identified: anyone meeting a case definition for hepatitis, any designated worker, and a random sample of the community by household. Survey information was collected on the farm, household, and individual. Sera were collected for laboratory study. This study reports on the current findings from 509 sera collected in June 1991. There had been widespread exposure to hepatitis A(98 percent). New hepatitis was primarily due to hepatitis B(24 percent of clinical cases, 4 percent of people in the random household sample, and 5 percent of workers). In our total, 16 percent had hepatitis B surface antigen and were potential carriers, while 73 percent had evidence of past hepatitis C by our detection method, and delta particle was not present in any of the tested cases. Hepatitis E antibody was detected in two cases. One risk revolved around perceptions of good medical care, using injectable medications. (AU)

An outbreak of rotaviral gastroenteritis in Belize - abstract

An outbreak of gastroenteritis was identified in Belize in February 1991. Forty-five of the 467 cases reported through mid-March were tested for the presence of rotavirus antigen in faecal specimens, using an ELISA method. Of these, 23 (51 percent) were positive. An analysis of 1,605 cases of gastroenteritis reported since October, 1988 at a clinic in Belize City, indicated that the outbreak was seasonal, with an increase in incidence January through May and a peak incidence January through March. The seasonally coincides with the rainfall pattern in Belize. This supports the supposition that the mode of transmission for rotavirus is faecal-oral. There was no significant difference in the sexual distribution. Over 69 percent of the reported cases in the outbreak and approximately 45 percent of the historical cases were in infants and children less than 4 years of age. The percentage of cases in individuals more than 4 years of age is higher than would be expected in an outbreak due solely to rotavirus and suggesting other aetiologies were responsible for some cases (AU)

Mycobacterium ulcerans in the armadillo

Meeting of the Advisory Committe on Medical Research, 13. Pan American Health Organization; 24-28 Jun. 1974