HIV registration in the Netherlands Antilles 1985-1996 - abstract

The objectives of this paper are to describe the HIV/AIDS epidemiology in the Netherlands Antilles over the last decade and the problems attached to the registration of these cases in a country that is spread over five islands. Some of the problems are that the total number of persons tested for HIV are not recorded, there is a lack of concensus on what case-definition to use in AIDS cases and when to start with administration of drugs. These problems in registration and the ensuing deficiences in the current data give further rise to underestimating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since HIV/AIDS has profound impication on demographic, economic and social aspects of a society; and considering the fact that there is still no cure for the disease, it is important to understand and to have a clear picture of the epidemilogy and the consequences of HIV infection and AIDS for the population. From 1985 until the third quarter of 1996 the cumulative total of known HIV -infected persons in the Netherlands Antilles was 793. Most of them are between the ages of 25 and 44 years. From 1991 and 1993 the leading cause of death of in Curacao for people between 25 to 44 years was AIDS. HIV/AIDS accounted for 14 percent of all deaths in this age group in 1991-1993. Curacao and Saint Maarten account for 97.5 percent of the known HIV-infected for the Netherlands Antilles. Recommendations are made for improving the HIV/AIDS registration in the Netherlands Antilles. (AU)

Dengue in Curacao: an analysis of available data from 1993, 1995 and 1996 - abstract

Dengue is endemic in most countries of the Americas. The presentation of the disease can range from an undifferentiated fever to a more life-threatening form, ie., the dengue shock syndrome. Four serotypes of the viruses are distinguished: the most common ones in the American regon are types 2 and 4. It is transmitted primarily through the Aedes aegypti, a vector widely found in the region. Dengue is also a health problem in Curacao, where since 1973 endemicity has been established. The objective of the present study is to describe the dengue situation in Curacao with regards to the prevalence, surveillance system and vector control, as well as the evaluation of these. This was done on laboratory-based surveillance data of the years 1993, 1995 and 1996. Cases were either confirmed by laboratory results or classified as probable cases based on clinical information, using the case definition of the Pan American Health Organization. Results of the surveys on larval indices of the same years are presented. The surveillance data show that there was an outbreak in the first few months of 1993. One death was reported in February. During this outbreak, dengue types 2 and 4 were isolated. In 1995, there were two outbreaks, one in March/April and another one later in the year during the year during the months October/November. At the beginning of 1996 the last cases of the 1995 outbreak were detected, but in the second half of the year no confirmed cases were reported. Both the curent surveillance system and the vector surveys hae provided valuable data. Nevertheless, the prevalence of the disease in 1995 shows that the availability of information is not enough for the prevention of disease if not combined with a defined plan of action. (AU)