Assessing pandemic preparedness, response, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in four south American countries: agenda for the future.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic emerged in a context that lacked adequate prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) activities, and global, regional, and national leadership. South American countries were among world's hardest hit by the pandemic, accounting for 10.1% of total cases and 20.1% of global deaths. Methods: This study explores how pandemic PPR were affected by political, socioeconomic, and health system contexts as well as how PPR may have shaped pandemic outcomes in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. We then identify lessons learned and advance an agenda for improving PPR capacity at regional and national levels. We do this through a mixed-methods sequential explanatory study in four South American countries based on structured interviews and focus groups with elite policy makers. Results: The results of our study demonstrate that structural and contextual barriers limited PPR activities at political, social, and economic levels in each country, as well as through the structure of the health care system. Respondents believe that top-level government officials had insufficient political will for prioritizing pandemic PPR and post-COVID-19 recovery programs within their countries' health agendas. Discussion: We recommend a regional COVID-19 task force, post-pandemic recovery, social and economic protection for vulnerable groups, improved primary health care and surveillance systems, risk communication strategies, and community engagement to place pandemic PPR on Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru and other South American countries' national public health agendas.

[Unusual case of pseudotumoral hip injury due to gout: case report]. / Caso inusual de lesión pseudotumoral en cadera por gota: reporte de caso.

Background: Gout is known as arthropathy due to the deposit of monosodium urate crystals; This pathology comprises a set of clinical and radiographic tests in the context of the intra-articular presence of said crystals. It is a chronic disease associated with other comorbidities such as arterial hypertension, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, etc. The case of a patient with gouty arthritis with consequent hip lesion with a pseudotumoral appearance difficult to diagnose is presented, in order to highlight the importance of this, as well as the appropriate follow-up and treatment for this chronic pathology. Clinical case: A 51-year-old male patient, with a history of hip osteoarthritis and gout. The symptoms and signs were pain in the right hip with an 8/10 on an analogue pain scale, associated with functional limitation characterized by reduced range of motion and impossibility of standing. Imaging studies are carried out which are suggestive of a tumor lesion at the proximal femur with malignant characteristics, for which a biopsy and subsequent histopathological diagnosis of gouty tophi is performed. Conclusions: Gout is a prevalent disease in the adult population, however, its infrequent joint location can result in a difficult diagnosis, so it is necessary not to rule out this entity and to carry out specific studies for its identification.

Introducción: se conoce como gota a la artropatía por depósito de cristales de urato monosódico. Esta patología comprende un conjunto de hallazgos clínicos y radiográficos en el contexto de presencia intraarticular de dichos cristales. Es una enfermedad crónica asociada a otras comorbilidades como: hipertensión arterial, osteoartrosis, diabetes mellitus, etc. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con artritis gotosa con consecuente lesión en cadera, con aspecto pseudotumoral de difícil diagnóstico, a fin de resaltar su importancia, así como el seguimiento y tratamiento oportunos para esta patología crónica. Caso clínico: paciente hombre de 51 años, con antecedentes de artritis gotosa; quien cursa con cuadro clínico de, aproximadamente, cuatro años de evolución, caracterizado por dolor en cadera derecha de intensidad 8/10 en escala análoga del dolor, sin irradiación, asociado a limitación funcional caracterizada por reducción de arcos de movilidad e imposibilidad para la bipedestación. Se realizan estudios imagenológicos los cuales son sugestivos de lesión tumoral a nivel de fémur proximal de características de malignidad, por lo cual se realiza biopsia y posterior diagnóstico histopatológico de tofos gotosos. Conclusiones: la gota es una enfermedad prevalente en la población adulta, sin embargo, la localización articular infrecuente puede resultar en un difícil diagnóstico, por lo que se requiere no descartar esta entidad y la realización de estudios específicos para su identificación.

Economic burden of liver disease in Colombia

Introduction: Liver diseases have a significant impact on global morbidity and mortality rates, primarily attributed to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the true extent of their impact on patients, healthcare systems, and countries is often underestimated. Materials and methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to determine the economic burden associated with premature deaths caused by cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. The economic assessment was conducted by analyzing potentially productive years of life lost (PPYLL) due to liver diseases in Colombia between 2009 and 2016. Results and conclusions: The total burden of liver disease accounted for 687,861 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Men experienced a higher number of years of life lost from mortality (YLL), while women had a greater number of years lived with a disability (YLD). The economic burden of deaths caused by cirrhosis and primary liver cancer exceeded USD 8.6 million, highlighting the urgency to enhance intervention strategies ranging from promotion and prevention to timely diagnosis and treatment.

Introducción: la enfermedad hepática representa una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad a nivel mundial, principalmente por cirrosis y hepatocarcinoma; sin embargo, se subestima su impacto para el paciente, sistema de salud y el país. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal que determinó la carga económica asociada a las muertes prematuras por cirrosis y tumores primarios del hígado, mediante la valoración económica de los años productivos de vida potencialmente perdidos (APVPP) en Colombia y de enfermedad hepática en Colombia entre 2009 y 2016. Resultados y conclusiones: la carga total de enfermedad hepática representó 687,861 años de vida saludable perdidos ajustados por discapacidad (AVAD), los hombres con mayores años de vida perdidos por muerte prematura (APMP) y las mujeres con mayores años vividos con discapacidad (AVD). Las muertes por cirrosis y tumores primarios del hígado representan una carga económica que supera los 8,6 millones de dólares, lo cual refleja la necesidad de fortalecer las estrategias de intervención desde la promoción y prevención hasta el diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno.

Cost-effectiveness of a Dengue Vector Control Intervention in Colombia.

Dengue is a public health problem in Colombia and in the municipality of Girardot, an area of high risk for dengue transmission. We present the results of an economic evaluation from the societal perspective and 1-year time horizon comparing the regular control program for dengue prevention versus an intervention that comprised an environmental management strategy by covering the most Aedes aegypti productive breeding sites with insecticide covers, community actions, and educational activities. The effectiveness of the intervention was measured as the reduction in probability of dengue infection obtained from a community trial. Resource use was estimated from clinical records that were validated by clinical experts; unit costs were taken from national tariffs. Patient costs were obtained from a household survey. We found that the intervention generated an additional cost of USD20.9 per household and an incremental effectiveness of 0.00173 (reduction in the probability of reported dengue cases). Overall, both alternatives generate similar effectiveness, but the new intervention was associated with increasing costs. We conclude the new intervention is a potentially cost-effective option in areas where high prevalence of dengue exists.

Scaling up of Eco-Bio-Social Strategy to Control Aedes aegypti in Highly Vulnerable Areas in Fortaleza, Brazil: A Cluster, Non-Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Aedes aegypti is a cosmopolitan vector for arboviruses dengue, Zika and chikungunya, disseminated in all Brazilian states. The Eco-Bio-Social (EBS) strategy is vital in Aedes aegypti control as it mobilizes stakeholders (government, professionals, society, and academics) to promote healthy environments. This paper describes the rationale and methods of expanding the EBS strategy for Aedes aegypti control in Fortaleza, Northeast Brazil. A cluster, non-randomized controlled clinical trial was developed to analyze the strategy's effectiveness in vulnerable territories (high incidence of dengue and violent deaths; low HDI; substandard urban infrastructure, high population density, and water scarcity). We selected two intervention and two control groups, resulting in a sample of approximately 16,000 properties. The intervention consisted of environmental management by sealing large elevated water tanks, introduction of beta fish in waterholes, elimination of potential breeding sites, and mobilization and training of schoolchildren, endemic disease workers, health workers, social mobilizers, and community leaders; community surveillance of arboviruses; construction and validation of a booklet for the prevention of arboviruses in pregnant women. We analyzed the costs of arboviruses to government and households, the intervention cost-effectiveness, chikungunya's chronicity, and acceptance, sustainability, and governance of vector control actions. The primary outcome (infestation) was analyzed using the house, container, and Breteau indices. We hope that this study will help us understand how to scale up strategies to fight Aedes aegypti in vulnerable areas.

Trends in all-cause pneumonia and otitis media in children aged <2 years following pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in Colombia.

In Colombia, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) were implemented into the infant universal mass vaccination program in a stepwise manner; PCV-7 between 2009 and 2011 in different geographic regions/cities, with nationwide introduction of a 10-valent vaccine (PHiD-CV) in 2012. We aimed to describe trends in all-cause pneumonia mortality and overall mortality, and in the incidence of all-cause pneumonia and otitis media (OM) in Colombian children <2 y (y = years) of age, before and after PCV introduction. We obtained mortality and incidence data, nationally and for five major cities (Bogota, Medellin, Barranquilla, Cali and Cartagena) from 2005-2016 and 2008-2016, respectively, comparing mortality and incidence proportions in the post-PCV introduction period with those in the pre-PCV period. Overall mean reductions in all-cause pneumonia mortality was observed in the post-PCV period nationally (48.8%; 95%CI: 45.5-51.8%) and in four cities including Bogota (77.1%; 71.1-81.8%) and Medellin (56.4%; 44.1-65.9%); no substantial reduction was observed in Cartagena. Similar findings were observed for overall mortality. Reductions in all-cause pneumonia incidence were observed in Bogota (66.0%; 65.5-66.6%), Medellin (40.6%; 39.3-41.9%) and Cartagena (15.0%; 11.2-18.6%), while incidence increased in Barranquilla (78.5%; 68.4-89.2%) and Cali (125.5%; 119.2-132.0%). All-cause OM incidence fell in Medellin and Bogota (42.1-51.1%) but increased (95.8%) in Barranquilla. In conclusion, overall reductions in disease outcomes were observed following PCV introduction in most cities and nationwide. Decreasing trends in outcomes were observed prior to PCV introduction, and limited data points and data reporting issues may have influenced our results. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02567747).

Incidence and mortality of pertussis disease in infants <12 months of age following introduction of pertussis maternal universal mass vaccination in Bogotá, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Maternal immunization with tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine confers protection to young infants. We aimed to describe trends in pertussis incidence and associated mortality in children aged <12 months before and after introduction of maternal Tdap immunization in Bogotá, Colombia. METHODS: Data on pertussis-related cases/deaths in infants aged <12 months were collected from SIVIGILA for the period 2005-2016, and compared incidence for the pre-vaccine introduction (2005-2012) and post-maternal Tdap vaccination (2014-2016) periods in infants aged <12 months and in three distinct age-strata; ≤6 weeks, 7-<28 weeks, and 28-52 weeks. Mortality comparisons were performed in all infants <12 months. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2016, 2315 laboratory or clinically-confirmed pertussis cases were reported in infants <12 months of age (278 cases in young infants aged ≤6 weeks); 55 pertussis deaths were reported in children aged <12 months. No pertussis deaths were reported in the 2014-2016 period. Since maternal Tdap introduction in 2013, a consistent decline in pertussis incidence and mortality was observed. In the time-series analysis, incidence declined from 209.4/100,000 persons (2005-2012) to 49.1/100,000 persons (2014-2016) in all children <12 months; a 87.5% (95%CI: 77.2-93.2%) reduction. For these same period's incidence in young infants ≤6 weeks declined from 196.7 to 89.6/100,000 person-years (an 54.4% [95% CI: 35.4-67.9%] reduction). Greater incidence reductions were observed in older infants; 73.4% (95% CI: 68.4-77.6%) in those aged 7-<28 weeks, and 100% in those aged 28-52 weeks. A 100% reduction in Pertussis mortality in infants <12 months was observed. Since Tdap introduction, maternal vaccine coverage rose from <60% in 2013-2015 to 80% in 2016. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of maternal immunization in Bogotá may have contributed to the reduction in pertussis incidence and mortality among infants <12 months of age (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02569879). An Audio Summary linked to this article that can be found on Figshare https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12943316.

Effectiveness of an intervention for Aedes aegypti control scaled-up under an inter-sectoral approach in a Colombian city hyper-endemic for dengue virus.

Aedes aegypti transmitted arboviral diseases are of significant importance in Colombia, particularly since the 2014/2015 introduction of chikungunya and Zika in the Americas and the increasing spread of dengue. In response, the Colombian government initiated the scaling-up of a community-based intervention under inter and multi-sector partnerships in two out of four sectors in Girardot, one of the most hyper-endemic dengue cities in the country. Using a quasi-experimental research design a scaled-up community-led Aedes control intervention was assessed for its capacity to reduce dengue from January 2010 to August 2017 in Girardot, Colombia. Reported dengue cases, and associated factors were analysed from available data sets from the Colombian disease surveillance systems. We estimated the reduction in dengue cases before and after the intervention using, Propensity Score Matching and an Autoregressive Moving Average model for robustness. In addition, the differences in dengue incidence among scaling-up phases (pre-implementation vs sustainability) and between treatment groups (intervention and control areas) were modelled. Evidence was found in favour of the intervention, although to maximise impact the scaling-up of the intervention should continue until it covers the remaining sectors. It is expected that a greater impact of the intervention can be documented in the next outbreak of dengue in Girardot.

Analyses of Mortality and Prevalence of Cerebrovascular Disease in Colombia, South America (2014-2016): A Cross-Sectional and Ecological Study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second cause of death and the first cause of disability worldwide. However, although numerous reports regarding stroke epidemiology in Latin America have been published, they differ widely in terms of employed methods and end points. This is the first of a series of articles that describes the epidemiology of stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) in the nation, as well as their correlation with recognized risk factors and social variables. METHODS: Descriptive analyses were performed using the Colombian vital registration system and social security information system as primary data sources. Rates and ratios were calculated, corrected for under-registration, and standardized. Secondary analyses were made using data from national surveys and government organizations on hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sedentarism, obesity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and unsatisfied basic needs. Factorial multivariate multiple regression analyses were performed to evaluate correlations. Concentration curves and indices were calculated to evaluate for inequities in the distribution of events. RESULTS: Global CVD had a national mortality rate and a prevalence ratio of 28 and 142 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage had the highest mortality rate (ie, 15 per 100,000), while cerebral infarction and transitory cerebral ischemia had the highest prevalence ratios (ie, 28 and 29 per 100,000, respectively). Hypertension and tobacco use were the most relevant risk factors for most of the simple and multiple models, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy and nonpyogenous intracranial venous thrombosis were the disease categories with the most socially unequal distribution of deaths and cases (ie, concentration indices of .34 and .29, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CVDs are a cause for concern in Colombia and a marker of healthcare inequality and social vulnerability. Nationwide control of risk factors such as hypertension and tobacco use, as well as the design and conduct of public policy focused on the vulnerable and medically underserved regions and on standardizing mandatory CVD registries might ease its burden.

Secondary Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety Trial Data of the Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine in Children and Adolescents in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the recombinant, live, attenuated, tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV) against virologically-confirmed dengue (VCD) has been documented in a phase 3 trial in Latin America (CYD15, NCT01374516). This is a descriptive secondary analysis of the efficacy and safety of CYD-TDV in participants from Colombia. METHODS: Data from 9740 Colombian participants 9-16 years of age who were randomized 2:1 to receive CYD-TDV or placebo were assessed to describe the vaccine efficacy of CYD-TDV against VCD and severe VCD. Estimation was made of the relative risk (RR) for hospitalized VCD cases and severe hospitalized VCD cases after the first dose of CYD-TDV, as well as a description of the incidence of hospitalized dengue from the start of the study and per year of the study until study completion. RESULTS: During the active phase of the trial in Colombia, the efficacy of CYD-TDV was 67.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 58.3-74.7] against symptomatic VCD due to any serotype from injection 1 (month 0) to 25 months postinjection 1. Over 6 years, the RR across all 4 serotypes was 0.166 (95% CI: 0.09-0.29) in hospitalized VCD patients and 0.154 (95% CI: 0.04-0.50) in patients with severe hospitalized VCD. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the data from Colombia mimics the efficacy observed in CYD15 during the active surveillance follow-up (25 months), but with a sustained beneficial RR for dengue hospitalizations on the subsequent years of follow-up. In Colombia, where seroprevalence has been demonstrated to be high in several regions of the country, CYD-TDV is a useful tool to consider as part of an integrated control strategy against endemic dengue, a disease with a high economic impact on the health system.

Periods of high dengue transmission defined by rainfall do not impact efficacy of dengue vaccine in regions of endemic disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of rainy season with overall dengue disease incidence and with the efficacy of the Sanofi Pasteur recombinant, live, attenuated, tetravalent vaccine (CYD-TDV) in two randomized, controlled multicenter phase III clinical trials in Asia and Latin America. METHODS: Rainy seasons were defined for each study site using climatological information from the World Meteorological Organization. The dengue attack rate in the placebo group for each study month was calculated as the number of symptomatic, virologically-confirmed dengue events in a given month divided by the number of participants at risk in the same month. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models were used to test whether rainy season was associated with dengue disease and whether it modified vaccine efficacy in each of the two trials and in both of the trials combined. FINDINGS: Rainy season, country, and age were all significantly associated with dengue disease in both studies. Vaccine efficacy did not change during the rainy season in any of the analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Although dengue transmission and exposure are expected to increase during the rainy season, our results indicate that CYD-TDV vaccine efficacy remains constant throughout the year in endemic regions.

Effect of the type and number of washes in the efficacy of long lasting insecticidal nets for Aedes aegypti control in Girardot, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The use of long lasting insecticidal materials has shown promising results in the control of Aedes aegypti. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets (PermaNet®) for Aedes aegypti control after three washing treatments in the city of Girardot, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard bioassays were conducted with the nets following the World Health Organization protocols using wild A. aegypti after three washing treatments: (1) Detergent powder, (2) detergent powder and bleach, and (3) bar soap, until completing 20 washes. RESULTS: The type and number of wash treatments had a significant effect on net efficacy. Greater effects in the insecticide bioavailability were seen for the bar soap treatment. After six washes, mortality decreased by 50% (25/50), vs 66% (33/50) for the detergent powder and 84% (42/50) for the detergent powder and bleach treatments. Regarding the number of washes, the bar soap treatment reduced the efficacy to 68% after only three washes. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of long-lasting insecticidal nets (PermaNet 2.0) for A. aegypti control varied in relation to the treatment and number of washes. The bar soap treatment resulted in the greatest reduction of mortality. Further studies on insecticidal reductions are needed under local conditions.

Resource Use and Costs of Dengue: Analysis of Data from Phase III Efficacy Studies of a Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine.

A tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV) has recently been approved in 12 countries in southeast Asia and Latin America for individuals aged 9-45 years or 9-60 years (age indication approvals vary by country) living in endemic areas. Data on utilization of medical and nonmedical resources as well as time lost from school and work were collected during the active phase of two phase III efficacy studies performed in 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America (NCT01373281; NCT01374516). We compared dengue-related resource utilization and costs among vaccinated and nonvaccinated participants. Country-specific unit costs were derived from available literature. There were 901 virologically confirmed dengue episodes among participants aged ≥ 9 years (N = 25,826): corresponding to 373 episodes in the CYD-TDV group (N = 17,230) and 528 episodes in the control group (N = 8,596). Fewer episodes in the CYD-TDV group resulted in hospitalization than in the control group (7.0% versus 13.3%; P = 0.002), but both had a similar average length of stay of 4 days. Overall, a two-thirds reduction in resource consumption and missed school/work days was observed in the CYD-TDV group relative to the control group. The estimated direct and indirect cost (2014 I$) associated with dengue episodes per participant in the CYD-TDV group was 73% lower than in the control group (I$6.72 versus I$25.08); representing a saving of I$I8.36 (95% confidence interval [CI]:17.05-19.78) per participant with vaccination. This is the first study providing information on dengue costs among vaccinated individuals and direct confirmation that vaccination has the potential to reduce dengue illness costs.

Efecto del tipo y del número de lavados en la eficacia de mosquiteros tratados con deltametrina de larga duración para el control de Aedes aegypti en Girardot, Colombia / Effect of the type and number of washes in the efficacy of long lasting insecticidal nets for Aedes aegypti control in Girardot, Colombia

Resumen Introducción. El uso de mosquiteros tratados con insecticida en fórmulas de larga duración ha demostrado resultados prometedores en el control de Aedes aegypti. Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia de mosquiteros impregnados con deltametrina en una fórmula de larga duración para el control de A. aegypti en Girardot, Colombia, después de tres lavados. Materiales y métodos. Se hicieron bioensayos de eficacia de los mosquiteros contra A. aegypti silvestres después de utilizar los siguientes tres productos de lavado, siguiendo la metodología de la Organización Mundial de la Salud: detergente en polvo, detergente en polvo y blanqueador, y jabón de barra, todos utilizados hasta en 20 lavados. Resultados. El tipo de producto de lavado y el número de lavados afectaron significativamente la eficacia de los mosquiteros impregnados con deltametrina. El lavado con jabón de barra presentó el mayor efecto, pues en tan solo seis lavados la mortalidad bajó a 50 % (25/50), en contraste con 66 % (33/50 de mortalidad después del lavado con detergente en polvo y de 84 % (42/50) después del lavado con detergente y blanqueador. En cuanto al número de lavados, el jabón en barra también causó una mayor reducción de la eficacia: a 68 % con solo tres lavados. Conclusión. La eficacia de los mosquiteros impregnados con deltametrina de larga duración en el control de A. aegypti varió con el tipo de producto de lavado y el número de lavados, siendo el jabón en barra el que redujo su eficacia en mayor medida. Se requieren nuevos estudios para establecer la disminución en la concentración del insecticida entre lavados.

Abstract Introduction: The use of long lasting insecticidal materials has shown promising results in the control of Aedes aegypti. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets (PermaNet®) for Aedes aegypti control after three washing treatments in the city of Girardot, Colombia. Materials and methods: Standard bioassays were conducted with the nets following the World Health Organization protocols using wild A. aegypti after three washing treatments: (1) Detergent powder, (2)detergent powder and bleach, and (3) bar soap, until completing 20 washes. Results: The type and number of wash treatments had a significant effect on net efficacy. Greater effects in the insecticide bioavailability were seen for the bar soap treatment. After six washes, mortality decreased by 50% (25/50), vs 66% (33/50) for the detergent powder and 84% (42/50) for the detergent powder and bleach treatments. Regarding the number of washes, the bar soap treatment reduced the efficacy to 68% after only three washes. Conclusion: The effectiveness of long-lasting insecticidal nets (PermaNet 2.0) for A. aegypti control varied in relation to the treatment and number of washes. The bar soap treatment resulted in the greatest reduction of mortality. Further studies on insecticidal reductions are needed under local conditions.

Taking innovative vector control interventions in urban Latin America to scale: lessons learnt from multi-country implementation research.

Prior to the current public health emergency following the emergence of chikungunya and Zika Virus Disease in the Americas during 2014 and 2015, multi-country research investigated between 2011 and 2013 the efficacy of novel Aedes aegypti intervention packages through cluster randomised controlled trials in four Latin-American cities: Fortaleza (Brazil); Girardot (Colombia), Acapulco (Mexico) and Salto (Uruguay). Results from the trials led to a scaling up effort of the interventions at city levels. Scaling up refers to deliberate efforts to increase the impact of successfully tested health interventions to benefit more people and foster policy and program development in a sustainable way. The different scenarios represent examples for  a 'vertical approach' and a 'horizontal approach'. This paper presents the analysis of a preliminary process evaluation of the scaling up efforts in the mentioned cites, with a focus on challenges and enabling factors encountered by the research teams, analysing the main social, political, administrative, financial and acceptance factors.

Seroprevalence of dengue infection in the municipalities of Armenia, Calarcá, La Tebaida and Montenegro in Quindío, 2014.

INTRODUCTION: Dengue is a serious public health problem in Colombia; it is prevalent in 90% of the municipalities in Quindío. Studies on its seroprevalence are required to address public health interventions. OBJECTIVE: To establish the seroprevalence of dengue infection in neighborhoods with high incidence in the municipalities of Armenia, Calarcá, La Tebaida and Montenegro, Quindío, in 2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a probabilistic, stratified, two-stage prevalence study. We interviewed 658 residents in the urban area of the selected municipalities. After they signed the informed consent, we took a blood sample to determine dengue IgG and IgM antibodies. RESULTS: Seroprevalence of IgG in Quindío was 89,4%; in Armenia it was 88,7%, in Calarcá, 81,5%, in Montenegro, 91,8% and in La Tebaida 97,8%. IgM was 14, 2% in Quindío; in Armenia it was 11,5%, in Calarcá, 13,0%, in Montenegro, 13,1% and in La Tebaida, 28,9%. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of both IgG and IgM in the four municipalities. We had positive results for IgM in all age groups, which suggests recent infection. We also found simultaneous seropositivity for IgG and IgM (12.9%), which may indicate infection by another serotype or presence of infection in the past three months. A multisectoral approach is necessary for dengue control in Quindío.

Governing multisectoral action for health in low- and middle-income countries.

Kumanan Rasanathan and colleagues argue that the potential of multisectoral collaboration for improving health remains untapped in many low- and middle-income countries.

Seroprevalencia de la infección por dengue en los municipios de Armenia, Calarcá, La Tebaida y Montenegro en el departamento del Quindío, 2014 / Seroprevalence of dengue infection in the municipalities of Armenia, Calarcá, La Tebaida and Montenegro in Quindío, 2014

Resumen Introducción: El dengue representa un grave problema de salud pública para Colombia y, en el departamento del Quindío, afecta el 90 % de los municipios. Se necesitan estudios actualizados sobre la seroprevalencia en la población general para reforzar las acciones de salud pública. Objetivo: Determinar la seroprevalencia de la infección por dengue en barrios con alta incidencia de dengue en cuatro municipios del departamento del Quindío: Armenia, Calarcá, La Tebaida y Montenegro, en 2014. Materiales y métodos: Se hizo un estudio de prevalencia mediante muestreo probabilístico estratificado y bietápico. Se hizo una encuesta a 658 sujetos residentes del área urbana de los municipios seleccionados y se les tomó una muestra de sangre por venopunción para determinar anticuerpos IgG e IgM contra el virus del dengue. Resultados: La seroprevalencia de anticuerpos IgG en el Quindío fue de 89,4 %; en Armenia fue de 88,7 %, en Calarcá, de 81,5 %, en Montenegro, de 91,8 %, y en La Tebaida, de 97,8 %. La seroprevalencia de anticuerpos IgM en Quindío fue de 14,2 %; en Armenia, de 11,5 %, en Calarcá, de 13,0 %, en Montenegro, de 13,1%, y en La Tebaida, de 28,9 %. Conclusiones: Se evidenció una alta prevalencia de anticuerpos IgG e IgM en los cuatro municipios. En todos los grupos de edad se encontraron personas seropositivas para IgM, lo cual indicaría infección reciente. La seropositividad simultánea para IgM e IgG (12,9 %) puede indicar infección secundaria por otro serotipo del virus o una infección en los tres meses anteriores. Es necesario impulsar estrategias multisectoriales para el control de la transmisión del dengue en el Quindío.

Abstract Introduction: Dengue is a serious public health problem in Colombia; it is prevalent in 90% of the municipalities in Quindío. Studies on its seroprevalence are required to address public health interventions. Objective: To establish the seroprevalence of dengue infection in neighborhoods with high incidence in the municipalities of Armenia, Calarcá, La Tebaida and Montenegro, Quindío, in 2014. Materials and methods: We conducted a probabilistic, stratified, two-stage prevalence study. We interviewed 658 residents in the urban area of the selected municipalities. After they signed the informed consent, we took a blood sample to determine dengue IgG and IgM antibodies. Results: Seroprevalence of IgG in Quindío was 89,4%; in Armenia it was 88,7%, in Calarcá, 81,5%, in Montenegro, 91,8% and in La Tebaida 97,8%. IgM was 14, 2% in Quindío; in Armenia it was 11,5%, in Calarcá, 13,0%, in Montenegro, 13,1% and in La Tebaida, 28,9%. Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of both IgG and IgM in the four municipalities. We had positive results for IgM in all age groups, which suggests recent infection. We also found simultaneous seropositivity for IgG and IgM (12.9%), which may indicate infection by another serotype or presence of infection in the past three months. A multisectoral approach is necessary for dengue control in Quindío.

The epidemiology and transmissibility of Zika virus in Girardot and San Andres island, Colombia, September 2015 to January 2016.

Transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) was first detected in Colombia in September 2015. As of April 2016, Colombia had reported over 65,000 cases of Zika virus disease (ZVD). We analysed daily surveillance data of ZVD cases reported to the health authorities of San Andres and Girardot, Colombia, between September 2015 and January 2016. ZVD was laboratory-confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the serum of acute cases within five days of symptom onset. We use daily incidence data to estimate the basic reproductive number (R0) in each population. We identified 928 and 1,936 reported ZVD cases from San Andres and Girardot, respectively. The overall attack rate for reported ZVD was 12.13 cases per 1,000 residents of San Andres and 18.43 cases per 1,000 residents of Girardot. Attack rates were significantly higher in females in both municipalities (p < 0.001). Cases occurred in all age groups with highest rates in 20 to 49 year-olds. The estimated R0 for the Zika outbreak was 1.41 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15-1.74) in San Andres and 4.61 (95% CI: 4.11-5.16) in Girardot. Transmission of ZIKV is ongoing in the Americas. The estimated R0 from Colombia supports the observed rapid spread.

The Burden of Dengue and the Financial Cost to Colombia, 2010-2012.

Data on the burden of dengue and its economic costs can help guide health policy decisions. However, little reliable information is available for Colombia. We therefore calculated the burden of the disease, expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), for two scenarios: endemic years (average number of cases in non-epidemic years 2011 and 2012) and an epidemic year (2010, when the highest number of dengue cases was reported in the study period). We also estimated the total economic cost of the disease (U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for 2012), including indirect costs to households derived from expenses such as preventing entry of mosquitos into the home and costs to government arising from direct, indirect, and prevention and monitoring activities, as well as the direct medical and non-medical costs. In the epidemic year 2010, 1,198.73 DALYs were lost per million inhabitants versus 83.88 in endemic years. The total financial cost of the disease in Colombia from a societal perspective was US$167.8 million for 2010, US$129.9 million for 2011, and US$131.7 million for 2012. The cost of mosquito prevention borne by households was a major cost driver (accounting for 46% of the overall cost in 2010, 62% in 2011, and 64% in 2012).