scholarly journals Chikungunya virus infections among travellers returning to Spain, 2008 to 2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (36) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Dolores Fernandez-Garcia ◽  
Mathieu Bangert ◽  
Fernando de Ory ◽  
Arantxa Potente ◽  
Lourdes Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Returning Travellers ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Carlos Iii ◽  
Autochthonous Transmission

Since the first documented autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus in the Caribbean island of Saint Martin in 2013, the infection has been reported within the Caribbean region as well as North, Central and South America. The risk of autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus becoming established in Spain may be elevated due to the large numbers of travellers returning to Spain from countries affected by the 2013 epidemic in the Caribbean and South America, as well as the existence of the Aedes albopictus vector in certain parts of Spain. We retrospectively analysed the laboratory diagnostic database of the National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III (CNM-ISCIII) from 2008 to 2014. During the study period, 264 confirmed cases, of 1,371 suspected cases, were diagnosed at the CNM-ISCIII. In 2014 alone, there were 234 confirmed cases. The highest number of confirmed cases were reported from the Dominican Republic (n = 136), Venezuela (n = 30) and Haiti (n = 11). Six cases were viraemic in areas of Spain where the vector is present. This report highlights the need for integrated active case and vector surveillance in Spain and other parts of Europe where chikungunya virus may be introduced by returning travellers.

scholarly journals Cases of chikungunya virus infection in travellers returning to Spain from Haiti or Dominican Republic, April-June 2014

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (28) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Requena-Méndez ◽  
C García ◽  
E Aldasoro ◽  
J A Vicente ◽  
M J Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Dominican Republic ◽  
Central America ◽  
Aedes Albopictus ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Southern Europe ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Autochthonous Transmission

Ten cases of chikungunya were diagnosed in Spanish travellers returning from Haiti (n=2), the Dominican Republic (n=7) or from both countries (n=1) between April and June 2014. These cases remind clinicians to consider chikungunya in European travellers presenting with febrile illness and arthralgia, who are returning from the Caribbean region and Central America, particularly from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The presence of Aedes albopictus together with viraemic patients could potentially lead to autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus in southern Europe.

Serological Responses in Patients Infected with Mayaro Virus and Evaluation of Cross-Protective Responses against Chikungunya Virus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathen E. Bopp ◽  
Kara J. Jencks ◽  
Crystyan Siles ◽  
Carolina Guevara ◽  
Stalin Vilcarromero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
South America ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Neutralization Test ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Previous Exposure ◽  
Chikv Infection ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Mayaro Virus

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an alphavirus endemic to both Latin America and the Caribbean. Recent reports have questioned the ability of MAYV and its close relative, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), to generate cross-reactive, neutralizing antibodies to one another. Since CHIKV was introduced to South America in 2013, discerning whether individuals have cross-reactive antibodies or whether they have had exposures to both viruses previously has been difficult. Using samples obtained from people infected with MAYV prior to the introduction of CHIKV in the Americas, we performed neutralizing assays and observed no discernable neutralization of CHIKV by sera from patients previously infected with MAYV. These data suggest that a positive CHIKV neutralization test cannot be attributed to prior exposure to MAYV and that previous exposure to MAYV may not be protective against a subsequent CHIKV infection.

scholarly journals Chikungunya: vaccines and therapeutics

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kothila Tharmarajah ◽  
Suresh Mahalingam ◽  
Ali Zaid
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
South America ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Southern Indian Ocean ◽  
Emerging Pathogen ◽  
Transmission Cycle ◽  
The Caribbean

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has come to prominence as a global, re-emerging pathogen over the last two decades, progressing from sporadic, remote outbreaks to worldwide explosive epidemics. From contained, though considerable, outbreaks in the southern Indian Ocean, parts of South America and the Caribbean, CHIKV continues to be a significant pathogen in Southeast Asia and India. CHIKV circulates during epidemics through an urban mosquito-to-human transmission cycle, and with no available treatments or licensed vaccines to specifically target CHIKV disease, limiting transmission relies on vector control, which poses significant challenges, especially in developing countries. This review summarizes the current findings and progress in the development of safe, effective and affordable therapeutics and vaccines for CHIKV disease.

Further Comment on the Finds at El Jobo, Venezuela

1957 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ĭrving Rouse ◽  
José M. Cruxent
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
South America ◽  
Opposite Direction ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Recent Discussion ◽  
Projectile Points ◽  
Central Argentina ◽  
The Caribbean

In the recent discussion of finds of paleo-Indian type at El Jobo, Venezuela, comparisons were made with other material in the Caribbean region and in North America (Cruxent and Rouse 1956). Turning in the opposite direction, to the rest of South America, we find that the El Jobo projectile points show a rather marked resemblance to those of the Ayampitín site in central Argentina, if we may judge from the drawings published by Rex González (1952, Pl. 13). The Ayampitín points, like those of El Jobo, are predominantly leaf shaped, but with a minority of stemmed forms. The two are relatively crudely rechipped on both surfaces, finely retouched along the edges, and in some cases serrated. The Ayampitín points are of quartz; the El Jobo specimens, of quartzite.

scholarly journals Zika virus infections in three travellers returning from South America and the Caribbean respectively, to Montpellier, France, December 2015 to January 2016

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Thibault Maria ◽  
Marianne Maquart ◽  
Alain Makinson ◽  
Olivier Flusin ◽  
Michel Segondy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
South America ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Mosquito Vectors ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Southern France ◽  
Zika Virus Infection ◽  
The Caribbean

We report three unrelated cases of Zika virus infection in patients returning from Martinique, Brazil and Colombia respectively, to Montpellier, France. They developed symptoms compatible with a mosquito-borne disease, and serological and molecular investigations indicated a recent Zika virus infection. Considering the recent warning for the likely teratogenicity of Zika virus and the presence of competent mosquito vectors in southern France, these cases highlight the need for awareness of physicians and laboratories in Europe.

scholarly journals International accreditation and quality medical education

2013 ◽  
pp. 70-71
Author(s):  
Pablo A. Pulido
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
South America ◽  
Central America ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
American Federation ◽  
The World ◽  
Pan American ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Academic Organization

The Pan American Federation of Associations of Faculties (Schools) of Medicine - FEPAFEM/PAFAMS - is a non-governmental, on-profit academic organization that joins the National Associations of Medical Schools for the Hemisphere. For some countries the growth in the number of schools and colleges has been explosive in recent decades to where now there are, in fact, about 706 medical schools in the Americas: 181 in North America, 190 in Central America and the Caribbean region and 335 in South America. This represents approximately 31% of the world total. Of these, 559 (79%) of the hemisphere´s medical schools are affiliated with FEPAFEM/PAFAMS.

scholarly journals Chikungunya infection confirmed in a Moroccan traveller returning from Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 343
Author(s):  
Tahar Bajjou ◽  
Ahmed Reggad ◽  
Farida Hilali ◽  
Safae Elkochri ◽  
Abdelilah Laraqui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
First Case ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
Liver Transaminases ◽  
Returning Travellers ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Autochthonous Transmission

Recently, several countries reported imported cases of infection with chikungunya virus (CHIKV). We report the first case of chikungunya virus infection in Morocco. A 37-year old woman returned to Morocco on 15 August 2017, after she stayed in Dhaka-Bangladesh for 18months. She developed severe arthralgias and rash, fever up to 39°c. In next day’s symptoms progressively subsided but arthralgias remained for 3weeks. Laboratory findings didn't show lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia or elevated liver transaminases. Serological tests were positive for CHIKV IgM and negative for IgG antibodies. CHIKV-RNA was detected by RT-PCR. The patient was treated with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol. After 15days of hospitalization, symptoms ameliorated but arthralgias persists. The vector is established in Morocco and since the virus is diagnosed in returning travellers, chikungunya has a potential for autochthonous transmission in Morocco, that’s why CHIKV must be included in the differential diagnosis of arthralgia in all travellers returning from countries with documented transmission of the virus.

Chikungunya virus and West Nile virus infections imported into Belgium, 2007–2012

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (10) ◽  
pp. 2227-2236 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. VAN DEN BOSSCHE ◽  
L. CNOPS ◽  
K. MEERSMAN ◽  
C. DOMINGO ◽  
A. VAN GOMPEL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Returning Travellers ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Clinical Biology ◽  
Imported Infections

SUMMARYArboviral infections are emerging among tourists travelling to (sub)tropical regions. This study aims to describe the importation of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and West Nile virus (WNV) into Belgium over a 6-year period from 2007 to 2012. Clinical samples were obtained from travellers presenting at the outpatient clinic of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium or submitted to the Central Laboratory for Clinical Biology of the ITM. Testing was performed by serology and/or by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. A total of 1288 returning travellers were investigated for CHIKV infection resulting in 34 confirmed and two probable diagnoses (2·80%). Out of 899 patients, four confirmed and one probable imported WNV infections were diagnosed (0·55%). No locally acquired cases have been registered in Belgium until now and the geographical origin of the imported infections reflects the global locations where the viruses are circulating.

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