[Outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Tucumán, Argentina]. / Brote de síndrome pulmonar por hantavirus, Tucumán, Argentina.

We describe an outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the Burruyacú Department, Province of Tucumán. The detection in 2016 of a case of hantavirosis affecting a 23-year-old woman, considered at that time to be the first case occurred in that province, promoted a thorough epidemiological study. The investigation allowed the retrospective detection of another case occurred one month earlier in a 5-year-old child in the same Department. In both cases, the infection was confirmed by serology (case 1 at days 4 and 7 of disease onset, case 2 at day 4) and the viral genotype was characterized as HU39694. The contacts of both cases were serologically negative for hantavirus. The rodents captured in the area belonged to genus Akodon, genus Calomys and species Mus musculus. Oligoryzomys, the known reservoir for this viral genotype, was not found. Specific anti-hantavirus antibodies were not detected in the captured rodents. Given that the patients had not visited hantavirus endemic areas and their contacts were negative for hantavirus, we infer that the patients were locally exposed to fluids of infected rodents during their usual social or recreational outdoor activities. In conclusion, we demonstrate that hantavirus HU39694 -a genotype until now considered to be restricted to the Central Pampas of the country- is circulating in the North Western province of Tucumán. The endemic area of hantavirosis is thus expanded to this province but the viral reservoir in the area has not yet been identified.

Surveillance of microcephaly and selected brain anomalies in Argentina: Relationship with Zika virus and other congenital infections.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) vertical transmission may lead to microcephaly and other congenital anomalies. In March and April 2016, the first outbreak of ZIKV occurred in Argentina. The objective was to describe the surveillance of newborns with microcephaly and other selected brain anomalies in Argentina, and evaluation different etiologies. METHODS: Participants were enrolled between April 2016 and March 2017. CASES: newborns from the National Network of Congenital Abnormalities of Argentina (RENAC) with head circumference lower than the 3rd percentile according to gestational age and sex, or selected brain anomalies. Blood and urine samples from cases and their mothers were tested for ZIKV by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), antigen-specific Immunoglobulin M (MAC-ELISA) and plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT90 ). Toxoplasmosis, rubella, herpes simplex, syphilis, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection were also tested. RESULTS: A total of 104 cases were reported, with a prevalence of 6.9 per 10,000 [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.7-8.4], a significant increase when compared with the data prior to 2016, Prevalence Rate Ratio 1.7 (95% CI 1.2-2.3). In five cases positive serology for ZIKV (IgM and IgG by PRNT) was detected. The five cases presented microcephaly with craniofacial disproportion. We detected four cases of CMV infection, three cases of congenital toxoplasmosis, two cases of herpes simplex infection, and one case of congenital syphilis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of microcephaly was significantly higher when compared with the previous period. The system had the capacity to detect five cases with congenital ZIKV syndrome in a country with limited viral circulation.

[New transmission scenarios of the Argentine hemorrhagic fever since the introduction of the live attenuated junin virus vaccine (Candid #1): an experience in migrant workers]. / Los nuevos escenarios de transmisión de la fiebre hemorrágica Argentina desde la introducción de la vacuna a virus junín vivo atenuado (Candid#1): una experiencia en trabajadores golondrinas.

The Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a severe acute viral disease caused by the Junin virus of the Arenaviridae family. The AHF endemic area coincides geographically with the largest grain export agro-industrial complex of the country [Argentina]. Since the implementation of vaccination with the Candid #1 vaccine, a significant reduction in incidence was achieved and risk patterns were modified. A previous study allowed characterizing these changes and identifying three transmission scenarios: classic, emergent-reemergent, and traveler. The latter scenario includes seasonal migrant workers who move each year, mainly from the province of Santiago del Estero, the endemic area to work in the detasseling of maize. With the objective of protecting this group of workers, a prevention campaign was initiated which included: capacity building of health personnel in the province, health education, and immunization with the vaccine Candid #1. 3,021 workers were vaccinated. Prior to vaccination, serum samples were taken from a group of 104 volunteers. Tests for neutralizing antibodies specific to the Junin virus were performed and 6 (5.76%) tested positive. The unexpected finding of a high percentage of workers with antibodies suggests the need to evaluate several hypotheses: a) that the result is the product of non-probabilistic sampling; b) that it could be people who fell ill in previous travels, c) or who were vaccinated in previous travels; or d) consider this region as an emerging scenario.

[Quali-quantitative study of the social variables defining transmission scenarios of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Santa Fe, 2001-2010]. / Estudio cualicuantitativo de las variables sociales que definen escenarios de transmisión de la fiebre hemorrágica argentina en las provincias de Buenos Aires y Santa Fe, 2001-2010.

The aim of this paper was to characterize transmission scenarios of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever in the post-vaccination period (2001-2010). The study was made up of three phases. The first consisted of a quantitative analysis using the database of the Dr. Julio I. Maiztegui National Institute of Human Viral Diseases [Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas] regarding the confirmed cases in the period of study (221 cases). Taking into account the transmission site and the known endemic area, cases were grouped into three hypothetical transmission scenarios, identified as: a) classical, b) emerging-reemerging, c) traveling. In the second phase, in order to test these hypotheses, in-depth interviews were carried out from August to September 2011 within an intentionally selected sample of patients distributed proportionally among the three hypotheses. Finally, in the third stage, the data obtained for each hypothetical scenario were grouped into three spatiotemporal scales: the microscale (subject), the mesoscale (locality) and macroscale (region). The results show that new transmission sites are associated with the social dynamics of cereal production and port-bound routes.

Brote de síndrome pulmonar por hantavirus, Tucumán, Argentina / Outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Tucumán, Argentina

Se describe un brote de síndrome pulmonar por hantavirus en el departamento de Burruyacú, provincia de Tucumán. La detección en 2016 de un caso de hantavirosis en una joven de 23 años -en ese momento considerado el primero ocurrido en dicha provincia- promovió un estudio epidemiológico exhaustivo, que permitió detectar retrospectivamente otro caso ocurrido en un niño de 5 años, un mes antes, en el mismo departamento. La infección fue confirmada por serología en ambos casos (caso 1 en muestras de 4 y 7 días de evolución, caso 2 en muestra a los 4 días). En ambos casos el genotipo viral fue caracterizado como HU39694 y los contactos fueron serológicamente negativos. En las áreas fueron identificados roedores pertenecientes a los géneros Akodon y Calomys y a la especie Mus musculus, pero no a Oligoryzomys, el reservorio habitual del genotipo HU39694. Tampoco se detectaron anticuerpos anti-hantavirus en suero de los roedores capturados. La ausencia de registro de viajes a área endémica de este genotipo y los hábitos recreacionales de los pacientes, sumados a los resultados serológicos negativos para hantavirus en los contactos, permiten inferir la posible exposición de los pacientes a fluidos de roedores infectados durante actividades recreativas o sociales al aire libre en sus respectivas áreas de residencia. En conclusión, se demuestra la circulación en Tucumán del genotipo viral HU39694, hasta ahora considerado restringido a la región pampeana central. Se extiende así a Tucumán el área endémica de hantavirosis, pero no se identificó el reservorio en el área.

We describe an outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the Burruyacú Department, Province of Tucumán. The detection in 2016 of a case of hantavirosis affecting a 23-year-old woman, considered at that time to be the first case occurred in that province, promoted a thorough epidemiological study. The investigation allowed the retrospective detection of another case occurred one month earlier in a 5-year-old child in the same Department. In both cases, the infection was confirmed by serology (case 1 at days 4 and 7 of disease onset, case 2 at day 4) and the viral genotype was characterized as HU39694. The contacts of both cases were serologically negative for hantavirus. The rodents captured in the area belonged to genus Akodon, genus Calomys and species Mus musculus. Oligoryzomys, the known reservoir for this viral genotype, was not found. Specific anti-hantavirus antibodies were not detected in the captured rodents. Given that the patients had not visited hantavirus endemic areas and their contacts were negative for hantavirus, we infer that the patients were locally exposed to fluids of infected rodents during their usual social or recreational outdoor activities. In conclusion, we demonstrate that hantavirus HU39694 -a genotype until now considered to be restricted to the Central Pampas of the country- is circulating in the North Western province of Tucumán. The endemic area of hantavirosis is thus expanded to this province but the viral reservoir in the area has not yet been identified.

Los nuevos escenarios de transmisión de la fiebre hemorrágica Argentina desde la introducción de la vacuna a virus Junín vivo atenuado (Candid#1): una experiencia en trabajadores golondrinas / New transmission scenarios of the Argentine hemorrhagic fever since the introduction of the live attenuated Junin virus vaccine (Candid #1): an experience in migrant workers

La fiebre hemorrágica Argentina (FHA) es una enfermedad viral aguda grave causada por el virus Junín, de la familia Arenaviridae. El área endémica de la FHA coincide geográficamente con el mayor complejo agroindustrial cerealero de exportación del Argentina. Desde la implementación de la vacunación con Candid#1, se logró una importante reducción de la incidencia y se modificaron los patrones de riesgo. Un estudio previo permitió caracterizar estos cambios e identificar tres escenarios de transmisión: clásico, emergente-reemergente y viajero. Dentro de este último escenario se incluyen los trabajadores migrantes estacionales que se desplazan cada año, principalmente desde la provincia de Santiago del Estero, al área endémica para trabajar en el despanojado de maíz. Con el objetivo de brindar protección a este grupo de trabajadores se inició una campaña de prevención que incluyó: capacitación de personal de salud de esta provincia, educación para la salud e inmunización con vacuna Candid#1. Se vacunaron 3021 trabajadores. Previo a la vacunación, se tomaron muestras de suero en un grupo de 104 voluntarios. Se realizó la detección de anticuerpos neutralizantes específicos para virus Junín en el total de las mismas y 6 (5,76%) arrojaron resultado positivo. El inesperado hallazgo de un elevado porcentaje de trabajadores con anticuerpos, nos sugiere la necesidad de valorar varias hipótesis: a) que el resultado sea producto de un muestreo no probabilístico; b) que podría tratarse de personas que enfermaron en viajes previos, c) o que se vacunaron en viajes previos; d) considerar esta región como un escenario emergente.

The Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a severe acute viral disease caused by the Junin virus of the Arenaviridae family. The AHF endemic area coincides geographically with the largest grain export agro-industrial complex of the country [Argentina]. Since the implementation of vaccination with the Candid #1 vaccine, a significant reduction in incidence was achieved and risk patterns were modified. A previous study allowed characterizing these changes and identifying three transmission scenarios: classic, emergent-reemergent, and traveler. The latter scenario includes seasonal migrant workers who move each year, mainly from the province of Santiago del Estero, the endemic area to work in the detasseling of maize. With the objective of protecting this group of workers, a prevention campaign was initiated which included: capacity building of health personnel in the province, health education, and immunization with the vaccine Candid #1. 3,021 workers were vaccinated. Prior to vaccination, serum samples were taken from a group of 104 volunteers. Tests for neutralizing antibodies specific to the Junin virus were performed and 6 (5.76%) tested positive. The unexpected finding of a high percentage of workers with antibodies suggests the need to evaluate several hypotheses: a) that the result is the product of non-probabilistic sampling; b) that it could be people who fell ill in previous travels, c) or who were vaccinated in previous travels; or d) consider this region as an emerging scenario.

Estudio cualicuantitativo de las variables sociales que definen escenarios de transmisión de la fiebre hemorrágica argentina en las provincias de Buenos Aires y Santa Fe, 2001-2010 / Quali-quantitative study of the social variables defining transmission scenarios of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Santa Fe, 2001-2010

El objetivo de este artículo es caracterizar los escenarios de transmisión de fiebre hemorrágica argentina (FHA) en el período de vacunación (2001-2010). El estudio constó de tres etapas. En la primera, se realizó un análisis cuantitativo de la base de datos del Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas "Dr. Julio I. Maiztegui" (INEVH) de casos de FHA confirmados en el período (221 casos) que, sobre la base del lugar de transmisión y la zona endémica conocida, se agruparon según tres hipótesis de escenario: clásico, emergente-reemergente, y viajero. En la segunda etapa, para poner a prueba las hipótesis, se realizaron entrevistas en campo, entre agosto y octubre de 2011, a una muestra de selección intencional de pacientes distribuida proporcionalmente entre las tres hipótesis. Finalmente, en una tercera etapa, los datos generados para cada hipótesis de escenario se agruparon en tres escalas espacio-temporales: microescala (sujeto), mesoescala (localidad) y macroescala (región). Los resultados muestran que los nuevos lugares de transmisión estarían asociados a las dinámicas socioproductivas del cereal y las rutas al puerto.

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