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Latin America: Food/Water Borne Illness Outbreaks
Chile- Trichinellosis
24 August 2010
Radio BioBio [edited] ProMed
A total of 11 people have been affected by an outbreak of trichinellosis which occurred in the municipality of La Union. In Valdivia, 6 of the 11 cases have been linked to infected meat. The meat has been sent for analysis by the Health Departments. The meat source could be either domestic pork or wild boar.
Argentina- Outbreak of trichinellosis
9 August 2010
El Argentino [edited] [BITES]
About 30 residents of Pueblo General Belgrano have been diagnosed with trichinellosis, a disease transmitted through the ingestion of pork, horse, or boar meat contaminated with a microscopic parasite.
Peru- Gastroenteritis in children (Mariscal Caceras)
22 May 2010
CPN radio [machine trans, edited][ProMed]
A possible epidemic that causes fever, vomiting and diarrhea in young children has been reported in a village in the province of Mariscal Caceres, in the region San Martin.
Over 100 similar cases have occurred among the population of the Bagazan area in the Sapuena district capital, which has caused concern from health authorities.
Provincial Health Directorate has initiated research to determine which organism is causing the symptoms in the child population in that part of the country.
24 August 2010
Radio BioBio [edited] ProMed
A total of 11 people have been affected by an outbreak of trichinellosis which occurred in the municipality of La Union. In Valdivia, 6 of the 11 cases have been linked to infected meat. The meat has been sent for analysis by the Health Departments. The meat source could be either domestic pork or wild boar.
Argentina- Outbreak of trichinellosis
9 August 2010
El Argentino [edited] [BITES]
About 30 residents of Pueblo General Belgrano have been diagnosed with trichinellosis, a disease transmitted through the ingestion of pork, horse, or boar meat contaminated with a microscopic parasite.
Peru- Gastroenteritis in children (Mariscal Caceras)
22 May 2010
CPN radio [machine trans, edited][ProMed]
A possible epidemic that causes fever, vomiting and diarrhea in young children has been reported in a village in the province of Mariscal Caceres, in the region San Martin.
Over 100 similar cases have occurred among the population of the Bagazan area in the Sapuena district capital, which has caused concern from health authorities.
Provincial Health Directorate has initiated research to determine which organism is causing the symptoms in the child population in that part of the country.
Dominican Republic- Over 1,200 Athletes Get Food Poisoning at Event in Dominican Republic
Latin American Herald Tribune [edited]
More than 1,200 athletes participating in a sports festival in the Dominican Republic got sick from food poisoning. Twenty-two of the athletes were kept for observation at Santo Domingo’s Armed Forces General Hospital, but most of the athletes were treated and released from hospitals. The athletes affected were among more than 6,200 young people between the ages of 9 and 18 competing in the 12th Don Bosco Salesian National Games in Santo Domingo.
Organizers of the event have not determined the source of the poisoning, but suspect that tainted food was served at lunch on Friday. A representative of the event reported that the food served to the athletes on Friday “was not transported on time and, by the time they served it, seven hours had gone by since they cooked it and packed it in disposable plates.”
El Salvador- Diarrhea, fatal
21 Apr 2010
Diarioco Latino [machine trans., edited][ProMed]
The increase of cases of diarrhea has worried the authorities of the Ministry of Public Health and Asistencia Social (MSPAS). From 1 Jan 2010 to [21 Apr 2010], 28 deaths by this cause have been registered. Of the total deaths, 16 were reported in the National Hospital of Children.
The majority of the mortal victims were female.
Chile- Children in Antiofagasta to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A
13 Apr 2010
The Pulse Online [edited][FSNet]
Vaccinations against Hepatitis A will begin next week for 85 thousand children in the Antofagasta region in Chile after the outbreak of gastrointestinal diseases as a result of crops being irrigated with sewerage water and garbage being left in the streets.
The Under Secretary of Health reportedly said they would vaccinate 85 thousand children, 1 to 9 years old.
Rotavirus in Latin America: Pan American Health Organization Alert
23 Mar 2010
Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Epidemiological Alert [edited][ProMed]
In the past month, there have been confirmed outbreaks of acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus in countries of the region. The Dominican Republic showed an increase of 25 percent in 9 provinces. In Mexico, although the cases are distributed in 23 states, the largest percentage of these occurred in Chiapas (30 percent) and Baja California (13 percent) among others, while in Guatemala there were a total of 4336 cases, of which 964 have been confirmed by laboratory [testing].
Over the past month, confirmed outbreaks of acute diarrheal disease caused by rotavirus have been detected in several countries of the region. In view of this situation, which is occurring in the period of greatest viral circulation, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommends strengthening surveillance and implementing recommendations that contribute to controlling the spread of the disease.
Current Situation
The countries that have reported outbreaks are the Dominican Republic,
Guatemala, and Mexico.
Dominican Republic
From Epidemiological Weeks (EW) 1 to 6, and comparing the 2009 and 2010 periods, the cumulative number of cases of acute diarrheal diseases (A09) show a 25 percent increase in 9 provinces, with the most affected being La Altagracia, where there has been a 150 percent increase. Cases have occurred in all age groups, with 44 percent of all cases being concentrated in children under 5. The circulation of rotavirus has been confirmed in samples obtained during the months of January and February 2010. In the 1st month, out of a total of 89 samples processed, 6 percent tested positive to this agent. In February 2010, the positivity rate was 5.4 percent (out of the 147
samples processed).
Actions and Response Taken by the Country: A technical note was sent to the epidemiological services to initiate actions to verify alarms, characterize cases, and determine sources and modes of transmission.
Implementation of 6 sentinel rotavirus surveillance sites was started in health facilities located in the following provinces: Santiago, Puerto Plata, Azua, San Pedro, Distrito Nacional, and Santo Domingo. Resources are being mobilized for the purchase of laboratory supplies used to diagnose rotavirus.
Guatemala
Since Epidemiological Week (EW) 1 through 8, Guatemala has reported a total of 4336 cases, of which 964 have been laboratory confirmed, with 3 deaths (in Izabal, Jutiapa, and Peten Norte). The most affected age group is children from 1 to 4 years, followed by infants less than a year old and then by children from 5 to 9. The departments with the greatest number of cases are Santa Rosa, Escuintla, Retalhuleu, Izabal, and Huehuetenango. The Guatemalan authorities have reported that prior to the period of high circulation, they had been carrying out rotavirus prevention and control measures and that upon detecting the outbreak, they alerted health services for diagnosis and timely case management, including the distribution of oral rehydration salts.
Mexico
According to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiologica / SINAVE), the number of suspected cases of acute enteritis from rotavirus reported up to the month of February 2010 exceeds the number of cases reported during the same period from previous years. Although the cases are distributed throughout 23 states, the greatest percentage has been reported in Chiapas (30 percent), Baja California (13 percent), Oaxaca (12 percent), Tamaulipas (8 percent), San Luis de Potosi (5 percent), and Sinaloa (5 percent). In the state of Chiapas, 1319 suspected cases of rotavirus were reported between EW 1 and 9. Of the 897 samples analyzed, the presence of rotavirus was confirmed in 393 of them.
Eight sanitary districts in Chiapas have reported suspected cases, and rotavirus has been confirmed in 5 of them. The 1st case was reported in Tapachula on 2 Jan 2010; and since 21 Jan 2010, a rising trend has been reported, reaching the maximum number of cases on 9 Feb 2010. Since 15 Feb 2010, the trend has fallen both in the number of suspected cases and in those confirmed. However, the outbreak continues to be active; and suspected cases are still being reported and are in the process of being diagnosed. Although
rotavirus cases have been found of different genotypes, the Epidemiological Diagnostics and Reference Institute (Instituto de Diagnostico y Referencia Epidemiologicos / InDRE) has identified a high predominance of the genotype G9 e-type short, an emerging genotype not included in the composition of the vaccine. A complete vaccination series background was corroborated in 51 (13 percent) of the confirmed cases. Based on the temporal and geographical distribution, it is considered that this outbreak could have started from a common source, although its origin has not been specified. In 224 cases, the consumption of non-chlorinated water has been identified as a risk behavior. The Mexican health authorities issued an alert for this event on 22 Feb 2010.
Caribbean- Celebrity Cruises ship in Caribbean hit by major outbreak of stomach illness
22 Feb 2010
USA Today, Cruise Log [edited][ProMed]
A Celebrity Cruises ship sailing in the Caribbean is experiencing an unusually large breakout of a norovirus-like illness, with more than 15 per cent of passengers having fallen ill. A spokeswoman reportedly said that about 300 out of 1800 passengers on the Celebrity Mercury are suffering from stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. The ship set sail out of Charleston on 15 Feb 2010 on an 11-night voyage to the Caribbean that is scheduled to end in the city on Fri 26 Feb 2010.
Such outbreaks are becoming increasingly rare. The number of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships sailing from US ports has been dropping sharply in recent years and is at its lowest level in nearly a decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta recorded just 13 outbreaks of illnesses such as norovirus [infection] on cruise ships operating out of US ports in 2009, down from 15 in 2008, 21 in 2007, and 34 in 2006.
chinaview.cn [edited][ProMed]
Diarioco Latino [machine trans., edited][ProMed]
The increase of cases of diarrhea has worried the authorities of the Ministry of Public Health and Asistencia Social (MSPAS). From 1 Jan 2010 to [21 Apr 2010], 28 deaths by this cause have been registered. Of the total deaths, 16 were reported in the National Hospital of Children.
The majority of the mortal victims were female.
Chile- Children in Antiofagasta to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A
13 Apr 2010
The Pulse Online [edited][FSNet]
Vaccinations against Hepatitis A will begin next week for 85 thousand children in the Antofagasta region in Chile after the outbreak of gastrointestinal diseases as a result of crops being irrigated with sewerage water and garbage being left in the streets.
The Under Secretary of Health reportedly said they would vaccinate 85 thousand children, 1 to 9 years old.
Rotavirus in Latin America: Pan American Health Organization Alert
23 Mar 2010
Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Epidemiological Alert [edited][ProMed]
In the past month, there have been confirmed outbreaks of acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus in countries of the region. The Dominican Republic showed an increase of 25 percent in 9 provinces. In Mexico, although the cases are distributed in 23 states, the largest percentage of these occurred in Chiapas (30 percent) and Baja California (13 percent) among others, while in Guatemala there were a total of 4336 cases, of which 964 have been confirmed by laboratory [testing].
Over the past month, confirmed outbreaks of acute diarrheal disease caused by rotavirus have been detected in several countries of the region. In view of this situation, which is occurring in the period of greatest viral circulation, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommends strengthening surveillance and implementing recommendations that contribute to controlling the spread of the disease.
Current Situation
The countries that have reported outbreaks are the Dominican Republic,
Guatemala, and Mexico.
Dominican Republic
From Epidemiological Weeks (EW) 1 to 6, and comparing the 2009 and 2010 periods, the cumulative number of cases of acute diarrheal diseases (A09) show a 25 percent increase in 9 provinces, with the most affected being La Altagracia, where there has been a 150 percent increase. Cases have occurred in all age groups, with 44 percent of all cases being concentrated in children under 5. The circulation of rotavirus has been confirmed in samples obtained during the months of January and February 2010. In the 1st month, out of a total of 89 samples processed, 6 percent tested positive to this agent. In February 2010, the positivity rate was 5.4 percent (out of the 147
samples processed).
Actions and Response Taken by the Country: A technical note was sent to the epidemiological services to initiate actions to verify alarms, characterize cases, and determine sources and modes of transmission.
Implementation of 6 sentinel rotavirus surveillance sites was started in health facilities located in the following provinces: Santiago, Puerto Plata, Azua, San Pedro, Distrito Nacional, and Santo Domingo. Resources are being mobilized for the purchase of laboratory supplies used to diagnose rotavirus.
Guatemala
Since Epidemiological Week (EW) 1 through 8, Guatemala has reported a total of 4336 cases, of which 964 have been laboratory confirmed, with 3 deaths (in Izabal, Jutiapa, and Peten Norte). The most affected age group is children from 1 to 4 years, followed by infants less than a year old and then by children from 5 to 9. The departments with the greatest number of cases are Santa Rosa, Escuintla, Retalhuleu, Izabal, and Huehuetenango. The Guatemalan authorities have reported that prior to the period of high circulation, they had been carrying out rotavirus prevention and control measures and that upon detecting the outbreak, they alerted health services for diagnosis and timely case management, including the distribution of oral rehydration salts.
Mexico
According to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiologica / SINAVE), the number of suspected cases of acute enteritis from rotavirus reported up to the month of February 2010 exceeds the number of cases reported during the same period from previous years. Although the cases are distributed throughout 23 states, the greatest percentage has been reported in Chiapas (30 percent), Baja California (13 percent), Oaxaca (12 percent), Tamaulipas (8 percent), San Luis de Potosi (5 percent), and Sinaloa (5 percent). In the state of Chiapas, 1319 suspected cases of rotavirus were reported between EW 1 and 9. Of the 897 samples analyzed, the presence of rotavirus was confirmed in 393 of them.
Eight sanitary districts in Chiapas have reported suspected cases, and rotavirus has been confirmed in 5 of them. The 1st case was reported in Tapachula on 2 Jan 2010; and since 21 Jan 2010, a rising trend has been reported, reaching the maximum number of cases on 9 Feb 2010. Since 15 Feb 2010, the trend has fallen both in the number of suspected cases and in those confirmed. However, the outbreak continues to be active; and suspected cases are still being reported and are in the process of being diagnosed. Although
rotavirus cases have been found of different genotypes, the Epidemiological Diagnostics and Reference Institute (Instituto de Diagnostico y Referencia Epidemiologicos / InDRE) has identified a high predominance of the genotype G9 e-type short, an emerging genotype not included in the composition of the vaccine. A complete vaccination series background was corroborated in 51 (13 percent) of the confirmed cases. Based on the temporal and geographical distribution, it is considered that this outbreak could have started from a common source, although its origin has not been specified. In 224 cases, the consumption of non-chlorinated water has been identified as a risk behavior. The Mexican health authorities issued an alert for this event on 22 Feb 2010.
Caribbean- Celebrity Cruises ship in Caribbean hit by major outbreak of stomach illness
22 Feb 2010
USA Today, Cruise Log [edited][ProMed]
A Celebrity Cruises ship sailing in the Caribbean is experiencing an unusually large breakout of a norovirus-like illness, with more than 15 per cent of passengers having fallen ill. A spokeswoman reportedly said that about 300 out of 1800 passengers on the Celebrity Mercury are suffering from stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. The ship set sail out of Charleston on 15 Feb 2010 on an 11-night voyage to the Caribbean that is scheduled to end in the city on Fri 26 Feb 2010.
Such outbreaks are becoming increasingly rare. The number of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships sailing from US ports has been dropping sharply in recent years and is at its lowest level in nearly a decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta recorded just 13 outbreaks of illnesses such as norovirus [infection] on cruise ships operating out of US ports in 2009, down from 15 in 2008, 21 in 2007, and 34 in 2006.
Brazil- Trypanosomiasis
12 Jan 2010
chinaview.cn [edited][ProMed]
A Brazilian town has an outbreak of Chagas disease, the government of
the northern province of Amazonas reportedly said Monday [11 Jan 2010].
A total of 12 people, including 4 children, were infected in the
municipality of Santa Isabel do Rio Negro after eating "acai," a kind
of food produced from a palm tree reported a provincial
official.
In 2007, Amazonas province also had reported an outbreak of Chagas
disease because of acai, registering 46 cases without deaths.
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