Spatial distribution of Zika virus infection in Northeastern Colombia.

In this study, we investigated the weekly reported spatio-temporal distribution and topographic risk factors for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in northeastern Colombia. Weekly reported surveillance data, including clinical, suspected and confirmed cases from the ongoing ZIKV epidemic in the Santander and Norte de Santander departments (Santanderes) in Colombia were used to estimate cumulative incidence rates. Spatial analysis was performed to develop hot spot maps and to identify spatial topographic risk factors for infection. From January 1, 2016 to March 19, 2016, 11,515 cases of ZIKV were reported in Santanderes, with cumulative rates of 316.07 cases/100,000 population for the region (representing 18.5% of the cases of the country). Five municipalities (four in Norte de Santander) reported high incidence of ZIKV infection (>1,000 cases/100,000 pop); these municipalities are close to the border with Venezuela. Most of the cases reported occurred mainly in low altitude areas, and persistent hot spots were observed. Higher infection rates were reported in the Northeastern part of the study area. Use of risk maps can help guide decisions for the prevention and control of ZIKV. Hotspots on the Colombia-Venezuela border can have implications for international spread.

Mapping Zika virus disease incidence in Valle del Cauca.

OBJECTIVE: Geographical information systems (GIS) use for development of epidemiological maps in tropical diseases is increasingly frequently utilized. Here, we apply this technique to map the current Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Colombia. METHODS: Surveillance cases data of the ongoing epidemic of ZIKV in Valle del Cauca department and its capital, Cali (2015-2016), were used to estimate cumulated incidence rates (cases/100,000 population) to develop the first maps in the department and it municipalities. The GIS software used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1®. Three thematic incidence rate maps were developed. RESULTS: Up to April 2, 2016, 9,825 cases of ZIKV were reported (15.15 % of the country cases). The burden of ZIKV infection has been concentrated in the North of the department. Valle del Cauca borders with other departments with incidence of ZIKV infection, such as Quindío (173 cases) and Risaralda (687 cases). Eleven municipalities of Valle del Cauca had cases in the range between 250 and 499 cases/100,000, all in the North and East of the department. Cali, the capital concentrates more than a third of the reported cases of ZIKV in Valle del Cauca. CONCLUSIONS: Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps allows to guide decision-making for prevention and control of diseases that constitute significant public health problems in the region and the country, such as exemplified by the emergence of ZIKV infection, particularly in departments such as Valle del Cauca with a high disease incidence.

Mapping Zika virus infection using geographical information systems in Tolima, Colombia, 2015-2016.

OBJECTIVE: Geographical information systems (GIS) have been extensively used for the development of epidemiological maps of tropical diseases, however not yet specifically for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. METHODS: Surveillance case data of the ongoing epidemics of ZIKV in the Tolima department, Colombia (2015-2016) were used to estimate cumulative incidence rates (cases/100,000 pop.) to develop the first maps in the department and its municipalities, including detail for the capital, Ibagué. The GIS software used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1®. Two thematic maps were developed according to municipality and communes incidence rates. RESULTS: Up to March 5, 2016, 4,094 cases of ZIKV were reported in Tolima, for cumulated rates of 289.9 cases/100,000 pop. (7.95% of the country). Burden of ZIKV infection has been concentrated in its east area, where municipalities have reported >500 cases/100,000 pop. These municipalities are bordered by two other departments, Cundinamarca (3,778 cases) and Huila (5,338 cases), which also have high incidences of ZIKV infection. Seven municipalities of Tolima ranged from 250-499.99 cases/100,000 pop., of this group five border with high incidence municipalities (>250), including the capital, where almost half of the reported cases of ZIKV in Tolima are concentrated. CONCLUSIONS: Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps helps to  guide decisions for the prevention and control of diseases that represent significant issues in the region and the country, but also in emerging conditions such as ZIKV.

Caracterización de las anomalías congénitas del Miembro superior en una institución prestadora de servicios de salud de Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia / Characterization of congenital anomalies of the upper member in an institution health care provider of Ibague, Tolima, Colombia

El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de Anomalías Congénitas del Miembro Superior (ACMS), en un centro de referencia en la atención de malformaciones congénitas en la ciudad de Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia. Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron todas las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de anomalías congénitas del miembro superior. Las ACMS se agruparon según la clasificación Swanson, modificada por la International Federation ofSocieties for Surgery of the Hand (Swanson/IFSSH). Se calcularon medias y porcentajes de las ACMS, género y distribución geográfica,frecuencia de malformaciones asociadas, lateralidad, intervención quirúrgica, número de intervenciones y co-morbilidades. Se evaluó un total de 194 casos (55,7% hombres y 44,3% mujeres). La edad promedio de consulta fue de 7,82±6,69 años. El 40,7%procedía de la ciudad de Ibagué, y el porcentaje restante de municipios aledaños y otros departamentos. Las más frecuentes fueron polidactilia radial(16,02%), deficiencia del rayo central (14,72%), sindáctila cutánea (11,26%). Se estimó una tasa cruda de incidencia para el departamento del Tolima en el año 2001 de 7,8/10.000 nacidos vivos, en el año 2002 de 8,6/10.000 nacidos vivos y en el año 2004 de 6,5/10.000 nacidos vivos. Conclusiones: Dadas las implicaciones en la funcionalidad, desarrollo cognitivo y productividad laboral de los pacientes con ACMS, se recomienda implementar un sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica que permita discriminar las anomalíascongénitas, según su ubicación anatómica, de tal forma que facilite su análisis y permita definir conductas adecuadas.

This study characterized the clinical records of patients diagnosed with Congenital Upper Extremity Anomalies (CUEA) in a referencecenter in the care of congenital malformations in the city of Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study wasdone. We included all clinical records of patients diagnosed with CUEA. The CUEA were classified according Swanson modified by the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand system (Swanson/IFSSH). Means and percentages were calculated from theCUEA, gender and site distribution, frequency of associated deformities, laterality, surgical intervention, number of interventions and comorbidities.Results: A total of 197 cases (55.7% male and 44.3% female). The average age of consultation was 7.82 years ± 6.69; 40.7% came from Ibagué and the rest from the neighboring municipalities and other departments. The most common CUEA was radial polydactyly (16.02%), followed by central ray deficiency (14.72%), and cutaneous syndactyly (11.26%). We estimated crude incidence rate for the department of Tolima in 2001 of 7.8 per 10,000 live births, in 2002 of 8.6 per 10,000 live births and in 2004 6.5 per 10,000live births. Conclusions: Given the implications in the functionality, cognitive development and labor productivity of patients withCUEA, it is recommended to implement a surveillance system that allows discrimination of the congenital deformities, according to theiranatomical location, so as to facilitate analysis and to define appropriate behaviors.