Author:
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Millet, Joan-Pau; Montalvo, Tomas; Bueno Marí, Ruben; Romero Tamarit, Arancha; Prats Uribe, Albert; Fernández, Lidia; Camprubí, Esteve; Del Baño, Lucía; Peracho, Víctor; Figuerola, Jordi; Sulleiro, Elena; Martínez Yoldi, Miguel Julián; Caylà i Buqueras, Joan A.
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Abstract:
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Background: On February 1st 2016 the WHO declared the Zika Virus
(ZIKV) infection a worldwide public health emergency because of
its rapid expansion and severe complications, such as
Guillain-Barre Syndrome or microcephaly in newborn. The huge
amount of people traveling to endemic areas and the presence of
Aedes albopictus in Barcelona increase the risk of autochtonous
transmission. The objective of this study was to describe the
first ZIKV cases diagnosed in our city and to analyze the
surveillance, prevention, and control measures implemented to
avoid autochthonous transmission. Methods: An observational
cross-sectional population-based study in Barcelona, Spain was
performed.An analysis of the socio-demographic, epidemiological,
clinical characteristics, and mosquito control activities of the
ZIKV cases detected between January 1st and December 2016 was
carried out using a specific ZIKV epidemiological survey of the
Barcelona Public Health Agency. Results: A total of 118
notifications of possible ZIKV infections were received, and 44
corresponded to confirmed cases in Barcelona residents.Amongst
these, the median age was 35 years and 57% were women. All cases
were imported, 48% were Spanish-born and 52% foreign-born.
Dominican Republic was the most visited country amongst
foreign-born patients and Nicaragua amongst Spanish-born. The
most frequent symptoms were exanthema, fever, and arthralgia.
Among the 24 diagnosed women, 6 (25%) were pregnant. There was
one case of microcephaly outside Barcelona city. Entomological
inspections were done at the homes of 19 cases (43.2% of the
total) and in 34 (77.3%) public spaces. Vector activity was
found in one case of the 44 confirmed cases, and 134
surveillance and vector control were carried out associated to
imported ZIKV cases. In all cases prevention measures were
recommended to avoid mosquito bites on infected cases.
Conclusion: Epidemiological and entomological surveillance are
essential for the prevention of autochthonous transmission of
arbovirosis that may have a great impact on Public Health.The
good coordination between epidemiologists, entomologists,
microbiologists, and clinicians is a priority in a touristic
city with an intense relationship with endemic countries to
minimize the risk of local transmission by competent vectors. |