Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
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Query Trace: Jara A[original query] |
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Estimating averted illnesses from influenza vaccination for children and pregnant women - El Salvador, Panama, and Peru, 2011-2018
Chard AN , Machingaidze C , Loayza S , Gharpure R , Nogareda F , González R , Domínguez R , Tinoco YO , Dawood FS , Carreon JD , Lafond KE , Jara J , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Cozza V , Couto P , Rolfes MA , Tempia S . Vaccine 2024 BACKGROUND: Estimating the burden of disease averted by vaccination can assist policymakers to implement, adjust, and communicate the value of vaccination programs. Demonstrating the use of a newly available modeling tool, we estimated the burden of influenza illnesses averted by seasonal influenza vaccination in El Salvador, Panama, and Peru during 2011-2017 among two influenza vaccine target populations: children aged 6-23 months and pregnant women. METHODS: We derived model inputs, including incidence, vaccine coverage, vaccine effectiveness, and multipliers from publicly available country-level influenza surveillance data and cohort studies. We also estimated changes in illnesses averted when countries' vaccine coverage was achieved using four different vaccine deployment strategies. RESULTS: Among children aged 6-23 months, influenza vaccination averted an estimated cumulative 2,161 hospitalizations, 81,907 medically-attended illnesses, and 126,987 overall illnesses during the study period, with a prevented fraction ranging from 0.3 % to 12.5 %. Among pregnant women, influenza vaccination averted an estimated cumulative 173 hospitalizations, 6,122 medically attended illnesses, and 16,412 overall illnesses, with a prevented fraction ranging from 0.2 % to 10.9 %. Compared to an influenza vaccine campaign with equal vaccine distribution during March-June, scenarios in which total cumulative coverage was achieved in March and April consistently resulted in the greatest increase in averted illness (23 %-3,129 % increase among young children and 22 %-3,260 % increase among pregnant women). DISCUSSION: Influenza vaccination campaigns in El Salvador, Panama, and Peru conducted between 2011 and 2018 prevented hundreds to thousands of influenza-associated hospitalizations and illnesses in young children and pregnant women. Existing vaccination programs could prevent additional illnesses, using the same number of vaccines, by achieving the highest possible coverage within the first two months of an influenza vaccine campaign. |
Application of a life table approach to assess duration of BNT162b2 vaccine-derived immunity by age using COVID-19 case surveillance data during the Omicron variant period
Sternberg MR , Johnson A , King J , Ali AR , Linde L , Awofeso AO , Baker JS , Bayoumi NS , Broadway S , Busen K , Chang C , Cheng I , Cima M , Collingwood A , Dorabawila V , Drenzek C , Fleischauer A , Gent A , Hartley A , Hicks L , Hoskins M , Jara A , Jones A , Khan SI , Kamal-Ahmed I , Kangas S , Kanishka F , Kleppinger A , Kocharian A , León TM , Link-Gelles R , Lyons BC , Masarik J , May A , McCormick D , Meyer S , Milroy L , Morris KJ , Nelson L , Omoike E , Patel K , Pietrowski M , Pike MA , Pilishvili T , Peterson Pompa X , Powell C , Praetorius K , Rosenberg E , Schiller A , Smith-Coronado ML , Stanislawski E , Strand K , Tilakaratne BP , Vest H , Wiedeman C , Zaldivar A , Silk B , Scobie HM . PLoS One 2023 18 (9) e0291678 BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants have the potential to impact vaccine effectiveness and duration of vaccine-derived immunity. We analyzed U.S. multi-jurisdictional COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough surveillance data to examine potential waning of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection for the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b) primary vaccination series by age. METHODS: Weekly numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections during January 16, 2022-May 28, 2022 were analyzed by age group from 22 U.S. jurisdictions that routinely linked COVID-19 case surveillance and immunization data. A life table approach incorporating line-listed and aggregated COVID-19 case datasets with vaccine administration and U.S. Census data was used to estimate hazard rates of SARS-CoV-2 infections, hazard rate ratios (HRR) and percent reductions in hazard rate comparing unvaccinated people to people vaccinated with a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series only, by age group and time since vaccination. RESULTS: The percent reduction in hazard rates for persons 2 weeks after vaccination with a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series compared with unvaccinated persons was lowest among children aged 5-11 years at 35.5% (95% CI: 33.3%, 37.6%) compared to the older age groups, which ranged from 68.7%-89.6%. By 19 weeks after vaccination, all age groups showed decreases in the percent reduction in the hazard rates compared with unvaccinated people; with the largest declines observed among those aged 5-11 and 12-17 years and more modest declines observed among those 18 years and older. CONCLUSIONS: The decline in vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection observed in this study is consistent with other studies and demonstrates that national case surveillance data were useful for assessing early signals in age-specific waning of vaccine protection during the initial period of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant predominance. The potential for waning immunity during the Omicron period emphasizes the importance of continued monitoring and consideration of optimal timing and provision of booster doses in the future. |
High burden of intestinal colonization with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in Chile: An Antibiotic Resistance in Communities and Hospitals (ARCH) Study
Araos R , Smith RM , Styczynski A , Sánchez F , Acevedo J , Maureira L , Paredes C , González M , Rivas L , Spencer-Sandino M , Peters A , Khan A , Sepulveda D , Wettig LR , Rioseco ML , Usedo P , Soto PR , Huidobro LA , Ferreccio C , Park BJ , Undurraga E , D'Agata EMC , Jara A , Munita JM . Clin Infect Dis 2023 77 S75-s81 BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, heavily impacting low- and middle-income countries. This study estimated antimicrobial-resistant gram-negative bacteria (GNB) fecal colonization prevalence in hospitalized and community-dwelling adults in Chile before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. METHODS: From December 2018 to May 2019, we enrolled hospitalized adults in 4 public hospitals and community dwellers from central Chile, who provided fecal specimens and epidemiological information. Samples were plated onto MacConkey agar with ciprofloxacin or ceftazidime added. All recovered morphotypes were identified and characterized according to the following phenotypes: fluoroquinolone-resistant (FQR), extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (ESCR), carbapenem-resistant (CR), or multidrug-resistant (MDR; as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria) GNB. Categories were not mutually exclusive. RESULTS: A total of 775 hospitalized adults and 357 community dwellers were enrolled. Among hospitalized subjects, the prevalence of colonization with FQR, ESCR, CR, or MDR-GNB was 46.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.9-50.0), 41.2% (95% CI, 37.7-44.6), 14.5% (95% CI, 12.0-16.9), and 26.3% (95% CI, 23.2-29.4). In the community, the prevalence of FQR, ESCR, CR, and MDR-GNB colonization was 39.5% (95% CI, 34.4-44.6), 28.9% (95% CI, 24.2-33.6), 5.6% (95% CI, 3.2-8.0), and 4.8% (95% CI, 2.6-7.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A high burden of antimicrobial-resistant GNB colonization was observed in this sample of hospitalized and community-dwelling adults, suggesting that the community is a relevant source of antibiotic resistance. Efforts are needed to understand the relatedness between resistant strains circulating in the community and hospitals. |
COVID-19 incidence and mortality among unvaccinated and vaccinated persons aged 12 years by receipt of bivalent booster doses and time since vaccination - 24 U.S. jurisdictions, October 3, 2021-December 24, 2022
Johnson AG , Linde L , Ali AR , DeSantis A , Shi M , Adam C , Armstrong B , Armstrong B , Asbell M , Auche S , Bayoumi NS , Bingay B , Chasse M , Christofferson S , Cima M , Cueto K , Cunningham S , Delgadillo J , Dorabawila V , Drenzek C , Dupervil B , Durant T , Fleischauer A , Hamilton R , Harrington P , Hicks L , Hodis JD , Hoefer D , Horrocks S , Hoskins M , Husain S , Ingram LA , Jara A , Jones A , Kanishka FNU , Kaur R , Khan SI , Kirkendall S , Lauro P , Lyons S , Mansfield J , Markelz A , Masarik J 3rd , McCormick D , Mendoza E , Morris KJ , Omoike E , Patel K , Pike MA , Pilishvili T , Praetorius K , Reed IG , Severson RL , Sigalo N , Stanislawski E , Stich S , Tilakaratne BP , Turner KA , Wiedeman C , Zaldivar A , Silk BJ , Scobie HM . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023 72 (6) 145-152 On September 1, 2022, CDC recommended an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine booster to help restore waning protection conferred by previous vaccination and broaden protection against emerging variants for persons aged ≥12 years (subsequently extended to persons aged ≥6 months).* To assess the impact of original (monovalent) COVID-19 vaccines and bivalent boosters, case and mortality rate ratios (RRs) were estimated comparing unvaccinated and vaccinated persons aged ≥12 years by overall receipt of and by time since booster vaccination (monovalent or bivalent) during Delta variant and Omicron sublineage (BA.1, BA.2, early BA.4/BA.5, and late BA.4/BA.5) predominance.(†) During the late BA.4/BA.5 period, unvaccinated persons had higher COVID-19 mortality and infection rates than persons receiving bivalent doses (mortality RR = 14.1 and infection RR = 2.8) and to a lesser extent persons vaccinated with only monovalent doses (mortality RR = 5.4 and infection RR = 2.5). Among older adults, mortality rates among unvaccinated persons were significantly higher than among those who had received a bivalent booster (65-79 years; RR = 23.7 and ≥80 years; 10.3) or a monovalent booster (65-79 years; 8.3 and ≥80 years; 4.2). In a second analysis stratified by time since booster vaccination, there was a progressive decline from the Delta period (RR = 50.7) to the early BA.4/BA.5 period (7.4) in relative COVID-19 mortality rates among unvaccinated persons compared with persons receiving who had received a monovalent booster within 2 weeks-2 months. During the early BA.4/BA.5 period, declines in relative mortality rates were observed at 6-8 (RR = 4.6), 9-11 (4.5), and ≥12 (2.5) months after receiving a monovalent booster. In contrast, bivalent boosters received during the preceding 2 weeks-2 months improved protection against death (RR = 15.2) during the late BA.4/BA.5 period. In both analyses, when compared with unvaccinated persons, persons who had received bivalent boosters were provided additional protection against death over monovalent doses or monovalent boosters. Restored protection was highest in older adults. All persons should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including receipt of a bivalent booster by eligible persons, to reduce the risk for severe COVID-19. |
Covid-19 Rates by Time since Vaccination during Delta Variant Predominance
Paz-Bailey G , Sternberg M , Kugeler K , Hoots B , Amin AB , Johnson AG , Barbeau B , Bayoumi NS , Bertolino D , Boulton R , Brown CM , Busen K , Cima M , Drenzek C , Gent A , Haney G , Hicks L , Hook S , Jara A , Jones A , Kamal-Ahmed I , Kangas S , Kanishka FNU , Khan SI , Kirkendall SK , Kocharian A , Lyons BC , Lauro P , McCormick D , McMullen C , Milroy L , Reese HE , Sell J , Sierocki A , Smith E , Sosin D , Stanislawski E , Strand K , Troelstrup T , Turner KA , Vest H , Warner S , Wiedeman C , Silk B , Scobie HM . NEJM Evid 2022 1 (3) BACKGROUND: With the emergence of the delta variant, the United States experienced a rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in 2021. We estimated the risk of breakthrough infection and death by month of vaccination as a proxy for waning immunity during a period of delta variant predominance. METHODS: Covid-19 case and death data from 15 U.S. jurisdictions during January 3 to September 4, 2021 were used to estimate weekly hazard rates among fully vaccinated persons, stratified by age group and vaccine product. Case and death rates during August 1 to September 4, 2021 were presented across four cohorts defined by month of vaccination. Poisson models were used to estimate adjusted rate ratios comparing the earlier cohorts to July rates. RESULTS: During August 1 to September 4, 2021, case rates per 100,000 person-weeks among all vaccine recipients for the January to February, March to April, May to June, and July cohorts were 168.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 167.5 to 170.1), 123.5 (95% CI, 122.8 to 124.1), 83.6 (95% CI, 82.9 to 84.3), and 63.1 (95% CI, 61.6 to 64.6), respectively. Similar trends were observed by age group for BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine recipients. Rates for the Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen-Johnson & Johnson) vaccine were higher; however, trends were inconsistent. BNT162b2 vaccine recipients 65 years of age or older had higher death rates among those vaccinated earlier in the year. Protection against death was sustained for the mRNA-1273 vaccine recipients. Across age groups and vaccine types, people who were vaccinated 6 months ago or longer (January-February) were 3.44 (3.36 to 3.53) times more likely to be infected and 1.70 (1.29 to 2.23) times more likely to die from COVID-19 than people vaccinated recently in July 2021. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection among all ages or death among older adults waned with increasing time since vaccination during a period of delta predominance. These results add to the evidence base that supports U.S. booster recommendations, especially for older adults vaccinated with BNT162b2 and recipients of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine. (Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.). |
Self-medication and ILI etiologies among individuals presenting at pharmacies with influenza-like illness: Guatemala City, 2018 influenza season
Ramay BM , Jara J , Moreno MP , Lupo P , Serrano C , Alvis JP , Arriola CS , Veguilla V , Kaydos-Daniels SC . BMC Public Health 2022 22 (1) 1541 OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize the proportion of clients presenting to community pharmacies with influenza-like illness (ILI) and the severity of their illness; the proportion with detectable influenza A, influenza B, and other pathogens (i.e., parainfluenza I, II, and III, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus); and to describe their self-medication practices. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six pharmacies in Guatemala City. Study personnel collected nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs from participants who met the ILI case definition and who were self-medicating for the current episode. Participants were tested for influenza A and B and other pathogens using real-time RT-PCR. Participants' ILI-associated self-medication practices were documented using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Of all patients entering the pharmacy during peak hours who responded to a screening survey (n = 18,016) 6% (n = 1029) self-reported ILI symptoms, of which 45% (n = 470/1029) met the study case definition of ILI. Thirty-one percent (148/470) met inclusion criteria, of which 87% (130/148) accepted participation and were enrolled in the study. Among 130 participants, nearly half tested positive for viral infection (n = 55, 42.3%) and belonged to groups at low risk for complications from influenza. The prevalence of influenza A was 29% (n = 35). Thirteen percent of the study population (n = 17) tested positive for a respiratory virus other than influenza. Sixty-four percent of participants (n = 83) reported interest in receiving influenza vaccination if it were to become available in the pharmacy. Medications purchased included symptom-relieving multi-ingredient cold medications (n = 43/100, 43%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 23, 23%), and antibiotics (n = 16, 16%). Antibiotic use was essentially equal among antibiotic users regardless of viral status. The broad-spectrum antibiotics ceftriaxone and azithromycin were the most common antibiotics purchased. CONCLUSIONS: During a typical influenza season, a relatively low proportion of all pharmacy visitors were experiencing influenza symptoms. A high proportion of clients presenting to pharmacies with ILI tested positive for a respiratory virus. Programs that guide appropriate use of antibiotics in this population are needed and become increasingly important during pandemics caused by respiratory viral pathogens. |
Influenza A virus circulation in backyard animals in the Pacific coast of Guatemala, 2013-2014.
Müller-Theissen ML , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Ortiz L , Szablewski CM , Alvarez D , Gonzalez-Reiche AS , Jara J , Davis CT , Cordon-Rosales C . Zoonoses Public Health 2022 69 (7) 826-834 Due to their documented epidemiological relevance as hosts for influenza A viruses (IAV), humans, poultry and pigs in backyard production systems (BPS) within wetlands could be key to the emergence of novel IAV variants able to transmit between humans or animals. To better understand the circulation of IAV at the human-animal interface of BPS within wetlands, we studied IAV in backyard duck flocks and pig herds in the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. From April 2013 to October 2014, we estimated the monthly IAV per cent seropositive and viral positive flocks and herds in two resource-limited communities. We detected antibodies in sera against the IAV nucleoprotein through ELISA. We also detected IAV viral RNA in respiratory (ducks and pigs) and cloacal (ducks) swabs through rRT-PCR directed at the matrix gene. We attempted viral isolation in eggs or MDCK cells followed by sequencing from swabs positive for IAV. During our study period, IAV seropositivity in duck flocks was 38%, and viral positivity was 23% (n = 86 BPS sampled). IAV seropositivity in pig herds was 42%, and viral positivity was 20% (n = 90 BPS sampled). Both flocks and herds had detectable antibodies against IAV mostly year-round, and IAV was detected in several months. We isolated an H3N2 virus from one pig sampled at the end of 2013. Standard nucleotide BLAST searches indicate that the isolated virus was similar to seasonal viruses circulating in humans, suggesting human-to-pig transmission. Our data show concurrent circulation of IAV in multiple species of poultry and pigs that were commingled in rudimentary conditions in proximity to humans, but no significant risk factors could be identified. |
COVID-19 Incidence and Death Rates Among Unvaccinated and Fully Vaccinated Adults with and Without Booster Doses During Periods of Delta and Omicron Variant Emergence - 25 U.S. Jurisdictions, April 4-December 25, 2021.
Johnson AG , Amin AB , Ali AR , Hoots B , Cadwell BL , Arora S , Avoundjian T , Awofeso AO , Barnes J , Bayoumi NS , Busen K , Chang C , Cima M , Crockett M , Cronquist A , Davidson S , Davis E , Delgadillo J , Dorabawila V , Drenzek C , Eisenstein L , Fast HE , Gent A , Hand J , Hoefer D , Holtzman C , Jara A , Jones A , Kamal-Ahmed I , Kangas S , Kanishka F , Kaur R , Khan S , King J , Kirkendall S , Klioueva A , Kocharian A , Kwon FY , Logan J , Lyons BC , Lyons S , May A , McCormick D , Mendoza E , Milroy L , O'Donnell A , Pike M , Pogosjans S , Saupe A , Sell J , Smith E , Sosin DM , Stanislawski E , Steele MK , Stephenson M , Stout A , Strand K , Tilakaratne BP , Turner K , Vest H , Warner S , Wiedeman C , Zaldivar A , Silk BJ , Scobie HM . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022 71 (4) 132-138 Previous reports of COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and death rates by vaccination status() indicate that vaccine protection against infection, as well as serious COVID-19 illness for some groups, declined with the emergence of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and waning of vaccine-induced immunity (1-4). During August-November 2021, CDC recommended() additional primary COVID-19 vaccine doses among immunocompromised persons and booster doses among persons aged 18 years (5). The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant emerged in the United States during December 2021 (6) and by December 25 accounted for 72% of sequenced lineages (7). To assess the impact of full vaccination with additional and booster doses (booster doses),() case and death rates and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated among unvaccinated and fully vaccinated adults by receipt of booster doses during pre-Delta (April-May 2021), Delta emergence (June 2021), Delta predominance (July-November 2021), and Omicron emergence (December 2021) periods in the United States. During 2021, averaged weekly, age-standardized case IRRs among unvaccinated persons compared with fully vaccinated persons decreased from 13.9 pre-Delta to 8.7 as Delta emerged, and to 5.1 during the period of Delta predominance. During October-November, unvaccinated persons had 13.9 and 53.2 times the risks for infection and COVID-19-associated death, respectively, compared with fully vaccinated persons who received booster doses, and 4.0 and 12.7 times the risks compared with fully vaccinated persons without booster doses. When the Omicron variant emerged during December 2021, case IRRs decreased to 4.9 for fully vaccinated persons with booster doses and 2.8 for those without booster doses, relative to October-November 2021. The highest impact of booster doses against infection and death compared with full vaccination without booster doses was recorded among persons aged 50-64 and 65 years. Eligible persons should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. |
Use of partial N-gene sequences as a tool to monitor progress on rabies control and elimination efforts in Ethiopia.
Binkley L , Deressa A , Shi M , Jara M , Escobar LE , Mauldin MR , Matheny A , O'Quin J , Pieracci EG , Kling C , Hartloge C , Yimer G , Abate E , Gebreyes W , Reynolds M , Belay E , Shiferaw M , Nakazawa Y , Velasco-Villa A . Acta Trop 2021 221 106022 Ethiopia is one of the African countries most affected by rabies. A coarse catalog of rabies viruses (RABV) was created as a benchmark to assess the impact of control and elimination activities. We evaluated a 726 bp amplicon at the end of the N-gene to infer viral lineages in circulation using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods for phylogenetic reconstruction. We sequenced 228 brain samples from wild and domestic animals collected in five Ethiopian regions during 2010-2017. Results identified co-circulating RABV lineages that are causing recurrent spillover infections into wildlife and domestic animals. We found no evidence of importation of RABVs from other African countries or vaccine-induced cases in the area studied. A divergent RABV lineage might be involved in an independent rabies cycle in jackals. This investigation provides a feasible approach to assess rabies control and elimination efforts in resource-limited countries. |
Enterovirus D68 infection among hospitalized children with severe acute respiratory illness in El Salvador and Panama, 2012-2013.
Biggs HM , Nix WA , Zhang J , Rogers S , Clara W , Jara JH , Gonzalez R , Luciani K , Brizuela YS , Estripeaut D , Castillo JM , De Leon T , Corro M , Vergara O , Rauda R , Chong EG , Watson JT , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Gerber SI , Tong S , Dawood FS . Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2020 15 (2) 181-187 We assessed EV-D68 epidemiology and phylogenetics among children aged ≤9 years hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illnesses at five sites in Panama and El Salvador during 2012-2013. Respiratory specimens positive for enterovirus or rhinovirus were tested by real-time RT-PCR for EV-D68, and partial VP1 gene sequences were determined. Of 715 enrolled children, 17 from sites in both countries were EV-D68-positive and commonly had a history of asthma or wheezing. Phylogenetically, 15 of 16 sequences fell into Clade B1, and one into Clade A2. The Central American EV-D68s were closely related genetically to contemporaneous strains from North America, South America, and the Caribbean. |
COVID-19 in Correctional and Detention Facilities - United States, February-April 2020.
Wallace M , Hagan L , Curran KG , Williams SP , Handanagic S , Bjork A , Davidson SL , Lawrence RT , McLaughlin J , Butterfield M , James AE , Patil N , Lucas K , Hutchinson J , Sosa L , Jara A , Griffin P , Simonson S , Brown CM , Smoyer S , Weinberg M , Pattee B , Howell M , Donahue M , Hesham S , Shelley E , Philips G , Selvage D , Staley EM , Lee A , Mannell M , McCotter O , Villalobos R , Bell L , Diedhiou A , Ortbahn D , Clayton JL , Sanders K , Cranford H , Barbeau B , McCombs KG , Holsinger C , Kwit NA , Pringle JC , Kariko S , Strick L , Allord M , Tillman C , Morrison A , Rowe D , Marlow M . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (19) 587-590 An estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults are housed within approximately 5,000 correctional and detention facilities(dagger) on any given day (1). Many facilities face significant challenges in controlling the spread of highly infectious pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Such challenges include crowded dormitories, shared lavatories, limited medical and isolation resources, daily entry and exit of staff members and visitors, continual introduction of newly incarcerated or detained persons, and transport of incarcerated or detained persons in multiperson vehicles for court-related, medical, or security reasons (2,3). During April 22-28, 2020, aggregate data on COVID-19 cases were reported to CDC by 37 of 54 state and territorial health department jurisdictions. Thirty-two (86%) jurisdictions reported at least one laboratory-confirmed case from a total of 420 correctional and detention facilities. Among these facilities, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 4,893 incarcerated or detained persons and 2,778 facility staff members, resulting in 88 deaths in incarcerated or detained persons and 15 deaths among staff members. Prompt identification of COVID-19 cases and consistent application of prevention measures, such as symptom screening and quarantine, are critical to protecting incarcerated and detained persons and staff members. |
Global burden of respiratory infections associated with seasonal influenza in children under 5 years in 2018: a systematic review and modelling study
Wang X , Li Y , O'Brien KL , Madhi SA , Widdowson MA , Byass P , Omer SB , Abbas Q , Ali A , Amu A , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Bassat Q , Abdullah Brooks W , Chaves SS , Chung A , Cohen C , Echavarria M , Fasce RA , Gentile A , Gordon A , Groome M , Heikkinen T , Hirve S , Jara JH , Katz MA , Khuri-Bulos N , Krishnan A , de Leon O , Lucero MG , McCracken JP , Mira-Iglesias A , Moisi JC , Munywoki PK , Ourohire M , Polack FP , Rahi M , Rasmussen ZA , Rath BA , Saha SK , Simoes EA , Sotomayor V , Thamthitiwat S , Treurnicht FK , Wamukoya M , Yoshida LM , Zar HJ , Campbell H , Nair H . Lancet Glob Health 2020 8 (4) e497-e510 BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza virus is a common cause of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in young children. In 2008, we estimated that 20 million influenza-virus-associated ALRI and 1 million influenza-virus-associated severe ALRI occurred in children under 5 years globally. Despite this substantial burden, only a few low-income and middle-income countries have adopted routine influenza vaccination policies for children and, where present, these have achieved only low or unknown levels of vaccine uptake. Moreover, the influenza burden might have changed due to the emergence and circulation of influenza A/H1N1pdm09. We aimed to incorporate new data to update estimates of the global number of cases, hospital admissions, and mortality from influenza-virus-associated respiratory infections in children under 5 years in 2018. METHODS: We estimated the regional and global burden of influenza-associated respiratory infections in children under 5 years from a systematic review of 100 studies published between Jan 1, 1995, and Dec 31, 2018, and a further 57 high-quality unpublished studies. We adapted the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess the risk of bias. We estimated incidence and hospitalisation rates of influenza-virus-associated respiratory infections by severity, case ascertainment, region, and age. We estimated in-hospital deaths from influenza virus ALRI by combining hospital admissions and in-hospital case-fatality ratios of influenza virus ALRI. We estimated the upper bound of influenza virus-associated ALRI deaths based on the number of in-hospital deaths, US paediatric influenza-associated death data, and population-based childhood all-cause pneumonia mortality data in six sites in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. FINDINGS: In 2018, among children under 5 years globally, there were an estimated 109.5 million influenza virus episodes (uncertainty range [UR] 63.1-190.6), 10.1 million influenza-virus-associated ALRI cases (6.8-15.1); 870 000 influenza-virus-associated ALRI hospital admissions (543 000-1 415 000), 15 300 in-hospital deaths (5800-43 800), and up to 34 800 (13 200-97 200) overall influenza-virus-associated ALRI deaths. Influenza virus accounted for 7% of ALRI cases, 5% of ALRI hospital admissions, and 4% of ALRI deaths in children under 5 years. About 23% of the hospital admissions and 36% of the in-hospital deaths were in infants under 6 months. About 82% of the in-hospital deaths occurred in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. INTERPRETATION: A large proportion of the influenza-associated burden occurs among young infants and in low-income and lower middle-income countries. Our findings provide new and important evidence for maternal and paediatric influenza immunisation, and should inform future immunisation policy particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. FUNDING: WHO; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. |
Costs associated with acute respiratory illness and select virus infections in hospitalized children, El Salvador and Panama, 2012-2013
Jara JH , Azziz-Baumgartner E , De Leon T , Luciani K , Brizuela YS , Estripeaut D , Castillo JM , Barahona A , Corro M , Cazares R , Vergara O , Rauda R , Rodriguez R , Franco D , Widdowson MA , Clara W , Alvis-Estrada JP , Murray CT , Ortega-Sanchez IR , Dawood FS . J Infect 2019 79 (2) 108-114 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although acute respiratory illness (ARI) is a leading cause of hospitalization among young children, few data are available about cost of hospitalization in middle-income countries. We estimated direct and indirect costs associated with severe ARI resulting in hospitalization among children aged <10 years in El Salvador and Panama through the societal perspective. METHODS: During 2012 and 2013, we surveyed caregivers of children hospitalized with ARI about their direct medical (i.e. outpatient consultation, medications, hospital fees), non-medical (transportation, childcare), and indirect costs (lost wages) at discharge and 7 days after discharge. We multiplied subsidized hospital bed cost derived from administrative data by hospitalization days to estimate provider costs. RESULTS: Overall, 638 children were enrolled with a median age of 12 months (IQR 6-23). Their median length of hospitalization was 4 days (IQR 3-6). In El Salvador, caregivers incurred a median of US$38 (IQR 22-72) in direct and indirect costs per illness episode, while the median government-paid hospitalization cost was US$118 (IQR 59-384) generating an overall societal cost of US$219 (IQR 101-416) per severe ARI episode. In Panama, caregivers incurred a median of US$75 (IQR 39-135) iin direct and indirect costs, and the health-care system paid US$280 (IQR 150-420) per hospitalization producing an overall societal cost of US$393 (IQR 258-552). CONCLUSIONS: The cost of severe ARI to caregivers and the health care system was substantive. Our estimates will inform models to estimate national costs of severe ARI and cost-benefit of prevention and treatment strategies. |
Progress and remaining gaps in estimating the global disease burden of influenza
Bresee J , Fitzner J , Campbell H , Cohen C , Cozza V , Jara J , Krishnan A , Lee V . Emerg Infect Dis 2018 24 (7) 1173-1177 Influenza has long been a global public health priority because of the threat of another global pandemic. Although data are available for the annual burden of seasonal influenza in many developed countries, fewer disease burden data are available for low-income and tropical countries. In recent years, however, the surveillance systems created as part of national pandemic preparedness efforts have produced substantial data on the epidemiology and impact of influenza in countries where data were sparse. These data are leading to greater interest in seasonal influenza, including implementation of vaccination programs. However, a lack of quality data on severe influenza, nonrespiratory outcomes, and high-risk groups, as well as a need for better mathematical models and economic evaluations, are some of the major gaps that remain. These gaps are the focus of multilateral research and surveillance efforts that will strengthen global efforts in influenza control in the future. |
Advances in measuring influenza burden of disease
Lee VJ , Ho ZJM , Goh EH , Campbell H , Cohen C , Cozza V , Fitzner J , Jara J , Krishnan A , Bresee J . Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2018 12 (1) 3-9 Influenza is a global public health threat, with seasonal and pandemic influenza resulting in substantial impact on health, the economy and society. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently estimated that every year, 290 000 to 650 000 deaths are associated with respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza.1 This estimate takes into account findings from recent influenza respiratory mortality studies, including a study conducted by Iuliano et al.2 Many high‐income countries (HICs) that have invested in measuring the impact of influenza epidemics and the cost‐effectiveness of interventions against influenza have also spent substantial resources in preventing spread and mitigating health outcomes through vaccination, clinical management of severe cases and other public health measures. At the same time, many low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), especially those in the tropics, are grappling with understanding the impact of influenza in their local setting, and to determine whether such interventions are cost‐effective vis‐à‐vis interventions for other diseases.3 Furthermore, LMICs are likely to have the highest burden of influenza in children, but these are also the countries with the least data available.4 |
Differences in prevalence of symptomatic Zika virus infection by age and sex - Puerto Rico, 2016
Lozier MJ , Burke RM , Lopez J , Acevedo V , Amador M , Read JS , Jara A , Waterman SH , Barrera R , Munoz-Jordan J , Garcia-Rivera B , Sharp TM . J Infect Dis 2017 217 (11) 1678-1689 Background: During the Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Puerto Rico in 2016, non-pregnant women aged 20-39 years were disproportionately identified with ZIKV disease. We used household-based cluster investigations to determine if this disparity was associated with age- or sex-dependent differences in the rate of ZIKV infection or reporting symptoms. Methods: Participation was offered to residents of households within a 100-meter radius of the residences of a convenience sample of 19 laboratory-confirmed ZIKV disease cases. Participants answered a questionnaire and provided specimens for diagnostic testing by RT-PCR and ELISA. Results: Among 367 study participants, 114 (31.1%) were laboratory-positive for ZIKV infection, of which 30% reported a recent illness (defined as self-reported rash or arthralgia) attributable to ZIKV infection. Age and sex were not associated with ZIKV infection. Female sex (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.40, 3.67), age <40 years (aPR=2.39; 95% CI=1.55, 3.70), and asthma (aPR=1.63; 95% CI=1.12, 2.37) were independently associated with symptomatic infection. Conclusions: Although neither female sex nor age were associated with increased prevalence of ZIKV infection, both were associated with symptomatic infection. Further investigation to identify a potential mechanism of age- and sex-dependent differences in reporting symptomatic ZIKV infection is warranted. |
Will participatory syndromic surveillance work in Latin America? Piloting a mobile approach to crowdsource influenza-like illness data in Guatemala
Prieto JT , Jara JH , Alvis JP , Furlan LR , Murray CT , Garcia J , Benghozi PJ , Kaydos-Daniels SC . JMIR Public Health Surveill 2017 3 (4) e87 BACKGROUND: In many Latin American countries, official influenza reports are neither timely nor complete, and surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) remains thin in consistency and precision. Public participation with mobile technology may offer new ways of identifying nonmedically attended cases and reduce reporting delays, but no published studies to date have assessed the viability of ILI surveillance with mobile tools in Latin America. We implemented and assessed an ILI-tailored mobile health (mHealth) participatory reporting system. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the quality and characteristics of electronically collected data, the user acceptability of the symptom reporting platform, and the costs of running the system and of identifying ILI cases, and to use the collected data to characterize cases of reported ILI. METHODS: We recruited the heads of 189 households comprising 584 persons during randomly selected home visits in Guatemala. From August 2016 to March 2017, participants used text messages or an app to report symptoms of ILI at home, the ages of the ILI cases, if medical attention was sought, and if medicines were bought in pharmacies. We sent weekly reminders to participants and compensated those who sent reports with phone credit. We assessed the simplicity, flexibility, acceptability, stability, timeliness, and data quality of the system. RESULTS: Nearly half of the participants (47.1%, 89/189) sent one or more reports. We received 468 reports, 83.5% (391/468) via text message and 16.4% (77/468) via app. Nine-tenths of the reports (93.6%, 438/468) were received within 48 hours of the transmission of reminders. Over a quarter of the reports (26.5%, 124/468) indicated that at least someone at home had ILI symptoms. We identified 202 ILI cases and collected age information from almost three-fifths (58.4%, 118/202): 20 were aged between 0 and 5 years, 95 were aged between 6 and 64 years, and three were aged 65 years or older. Medications were purchased from pharmacies, without medical consultation, in 33.1% (41/124) of reported cases. Medical attention was sought in 27.4% (34/124) of reported cases. The cost of identifying an ILI case was US $6.00. We found a positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient=.8) between reported ILI and official surveillance data for noninfluenza viruses from weeks 41 (2016) to 13 (2017). CONCLUSIONS: Our system has the potential to serve as a practical complement to respiratory virus surveillance in Guatemala. Its strongest attributes are simplicity, flexibility, and timeliness. The biggest challenge was low enrollment caused by people's fear of victimization and lack of phone credit. Authorities in Central America could test similar methods to improve the timeliness, and extend the breadth, of disease surveillance. It may allow them to rapidly detect localized or unusual circulation of acute respiratory illness and trigger appropriate public health actions. |
Global, regional, and national disease burden estimates of acute lower respiratory infections due to respiratory syncytial virus in young children in 2015: a systematic review and modelling study
Shi T , McAllister DA , O'Brien KL , Simoes EAF , Madhi SA , Gessner BD , Polack FP , Balsells E , Acacio S , Aguayo C , Alassani I , Ali A , Antonio M , Awasthi S , Awori JO , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Baggett HC , Baillie VL , Balmaseda A , Barahona A , Basnet S , Bassat Q , Basualdo W , Bigogo G , Bont L , Breiman RF , Brooks WA , Broor S , Bruce N , Bruden D , Buchy P , Campbell S , Carosone-Link P , Chadha M , Chipeta J , Chou M , Clara W , Cohen C , de Cuellar E , Dang DA , Dash-Yandag B , Deloria-Knoll M , Dherani M , Eap T , Ebruke BE , Echavarria M , de Freitas Lazaro Emediato CC , Fasce RA , Feikin DR , Feng L , Gentile A , Gordon A , Goswami D , Goyet S , Groome M , Halasa N , Hirve S , Homaira N , Howie SRC , Jara J , Jroundi I , Kartasasmita CB , Khuri-Bulos N , Kotloff KL , Krishnan A , Libster R , Lopez O , Lucero MG , Lucion F , Lupisan SP , Marcone DN , McCracken JP , Mejia M , Moisi JC , Montgomery JM , Moore DP , Moraleda C , Moyes J , Munywoki P , Mutyara K , Nicol MP , Nokes DJ , Nymadawa P , da Costa Oliveira MT , Oshitani H , Pandey N , Paranhos-Baccala G , Phillips LN , Picot VS , Rahman M , Rakoto-Andrianarivelo M , Rasmussen ZA , Rath BA , Robinson A , Romero C , Russomando G , Salimi V , Sawatwong P , Scheltema N , Schweiger B , Scott JAG , Seidenberg P , Shen K , Singleton R , Sotomayor V , Strand TA , Sutanto A , Sylla M , Tapia MD , Thamthitiwat S , Thomas ED , Tokarz R , Turner C , Venter M , Waicharoen S , Wang J , Watthanaworawit W , Yoshida LM , Yu H , Zar HJ , Campbell H , Nair H . Lancet 2017 390 (10098) 946-958 BACKGROUND: We have previously estimated that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was associated with 22% of all episodes of (severe) acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) resulting in 55 000 to 199 000 deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2005. In the past 5 years, major research activity on RSV has yielded substantial new data from developing countries. With a considerably expanded dataset from a large international collaboration, we aimed to estimate the global incidence, hospital admission rate, and mortality from RSV-ALRI episodes in young children in 2015. METHODS: We estimated the incidence and hospital admission rate of RSV-associated ALRI (RSV-ALRI) in children younger than 5 years stratified by age and World Bank income regions from a systematic review of studies published between Jan 1, 1995, and Dec 31, 2016, and unpublished data from 76 high quality population-based studies. We estimated the RSV-ALRI incidence for 132 developing countries using a risk factor-based model and 2015 population estimates. We estimated the in-hospital RSV-ALRI mortality by combining in-hospital case fatality ratios with hospital admission estimates from hospital-based (published and unpublished) studies. We also estimated overall RSV-ALRI mortality by identifying studies reporting monthly data for ALRI mortality in the community and RSV activity. FINDINGS: We estimated that globally in 2015, 33.1 million (uncertainty range [UR] 21.6-50.3) episodes of RSV-ALRI, resulted in about 3.2 million (2.7-3.8) hospital admissions, and 59 600 (48 000-74 500) in-hospital deaths in children younger than 5 years. In children younger than 6 months, 1.4 million (UR 1.2-1.7) hospital admissions, and 27 300 (UR 20 700-36 200) in-hospital deaths were due to RSV-ALRI. We also estimated that the overall RSV-ALRI mortality could be as high as 118 200 (UR 94 600-149 400). Incidence and mortality varied substantially from year to year in any given population. INTERPRETATION: Globally, RSV is a common cause of childhood ALRI and a major cause of hospital admissions in young children, resulting in a substantial burden on health-care services. About 45% of hospital admissions and in-hospital deaths due to RSV-ALRI occur in children younger than 6 months. An effective maternal RSV vaccine or monoclonal antibody could have a substantial effect on disease burden in this age group. FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. |
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the safety of early oseltamivir treatment among children 0-9 years of age hospitalized with influenza in El Salvador and Panama
Dawood FS , Jara J , Gonzalez R , Castillo JM , De Leon T , Estripeaut D , Luciani K , Sujey Brizuela Y , Barahona A , Cazares RA , Lawson AM , Rodriguez M , de Viana D , Franco D , Castillo M , Fry AM , Gubareva L , Tamura D , Hughes M , Gargiullo P , Clara W , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Widdowson MA . Antiviral Res 2016 133 85-94 BACKGROUND: Oseltamivir reduces symptom duration among children with uncomplicated influenza, but few data exist on treatment efficacy and tolerability among hospitalized children, particularly among infants aged <1 year. We evaluated tolerability and efficacy of oseltamivir treatment of children aged 0-9 years hospitalized with influenza. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial at tertiary care hospitals in El Salvador and Panama. Primary outcomes were length of hospitalization and increased work of breathing. Children were eligible if hospitalized <7 days after symptom onset with cough or sore throat plus tachypnea. Children were randomized 1:1 to receive oseltamivir or placebo; had swabs collected at enrollment for influenza RT-PCR testing; were assessed at enrollment and every 12 h for work of breathing; and were followed for adverse events through 7 days after discharge. Analyses were intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Overall, 683 children were randomized (oseltamivir, n = 341, placebo n = 342). Fifty-three percent were aged <1 year and 30 had influenza (oseltamivir, n = 19; placebo, n = 11). The study was terminated early after enrollment of 21% of the sample size due to lower than anticipated participant accrual. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, there was no significant difference in median length of hospitalization (3 days, IQR 2-4 vs. 5 days, IQR 3-7, p = 0.22) and increased work of breathing (36 h, IQR 24-72 vs. 96 h, IQR 13-108, p = 0.14) between oseltamivir versus placebo recipients. There was no difference in adverse events between groups. CONCLUSION: Oseltamivir treatment was well tolerated among hospitalized children, including among infants aged <1 year. |
Estimating the burden of Influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths in Central America
Descalzo MA , Clara W , Guzman G , Mena R , Armero J , Lara B , Saenz C , Aragon A , Chacon R , El-Omeiri N , Mendez-Rico J , Cerpa M , Palekar R , Jara J , Azziz-Baumgartner E . Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2016 10 (4) 340-5 Influenza is a preventable disease whose burden should be well documented, a necessary step in mobilizing vaccine program staff, providers and influenza vaccine target groups. We estimate the incidence of influenza hospitalizations from five Central America countries. We performed a meta-analysis of influenza-associated hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths. The highest annual incidence was observed among children aged <5 years (136 influenza-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 persons). Annually 7,625-11,289 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 352-594 deaths occurred in the sub-region. Our results suggest that a substantive number of persons are annually hospitalized because of influenza. Health officials should estimate how many illnesses could be averted through increased influenza vaccination. |
Timing of influenza epidemics and vaccines in the American tropics, 2002-2008, 2011-2014
Durand LO , Cheng PY , Palekar R , Clara W , Jara J , Cerpa M , El Omeiri N , Ropero AM , Ramirez JB , Araya JL , Acosta B , Bruno A , Calderon de Lozano C , Signor LD , Matute ML , Jackson-Betty S , Mung KS , Diaz-Quinonez JA , Lopez-Martinez I , Balmaseda A , Arevalo BM , Vazquez C , Gutierrez V , Garten R , Widdowson MA , Azziz-Baumgartner E . Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2015 10 (3) 170-5 BACKGROUND: Influenza-associated illness results in increased morbidity and mortality in the Americas. These effects can be mitigated with an appropriately chosen and timed influenza vaccination campaign. To provide guidance in choosing the most suitable vaccine formulation and timing of administration, it is necessary to understand the timing of influenza seasonal epidemics. OBJECTIVES: Our main objective was to determine if influenza occurs in seasonal patterns in the American tropics, and when these patterns occurred. METHODS: Publicly available, monthly seasonal influenza data from the Pan American Health Organization and WHO, from countries in the American tropics were obtained during 2002-2008 and 2011-2014 (excluding unseasonal pandemic activity during 2009-2010). For each country, we calculated the monthly proportion of samples that tested positive for influenza. We applied the monthly proportion data to a logistic regression model for each country. RESULTS: We analyzed 2002-2008 and 2011-2014 influenza surveillance data from the American tropics and identified 13 (81%) of 16 countries with influenza epidemics that, on average, started during May and lasted 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of countries in the American tropics have seasonal epidemics that start in May. Officials in these countries should consider the impact of vaccinating persons during April with the Southern Hemisphere formulation. |
Associations between seasonal influenza and meteorological parameters in Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua
Soebiyanto RP , Clara WA , Jara J , Balmaseda A , Lara J , Lopez Moya M , Palekar R , Widdowson MA , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Kiang RK . Geospat Health 2015 10 (2) 372 Seasonal influenza affects a considerable proportion of the global population each year. We assessed the association between subnational influenza activity and temperature, specific humidity and rainfall in three Central America countries, i.e. Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua. Using virologic data from each country's national influenza centre, rainfall from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and air temperature and specific humidity data from the Global Land Data Assimilation System, we applied logistic regression methods for each of the five sub-national locations studied. Influenza activity was represented by the weekly proportion of respiratory specimens that tested positive for influenza. The models were adjusted for the potentially confounding co-circulating respiratory viruses, seasonality and previous weeks' influenza activity. We found that influenza activity was proportionally associated (P<0.05) with specific humidity in all locations [odds ratio (OR) 1.21-1.56 per g/kg], while associations with temperature (OR 0.69-0.81 per degrees C) and rainfall (OR 1.01-1.06 per mm/day) were location-dependent. Among the meteorological parameters, specific humidity had the highest contribution (~3-15%) to the model in all but one location. As model validation, we estimated influenza activity for periods, in which the data was not used in training the models. The correlation coefficients between the estimates and the observed were ≤0.1 in 2 locations and between 0.6-0.86 in three others. In conclusion, our study revealed a proportional association between influenza activity and specific humidity in selected areas from the three Central America countries. |
Influenza illness among case-patients hospitalized for suspected dengue, El Salvador, 2012
Chacon R , Clara AW , Jara J , Armero J , Lozano C , El Omeiri N , Widdowson MA , Azziz-Baumgartner E . PLoS One 2015 10 (10) e0140890 We estimate the proportion of patients hospitalized for suspected dengue that tested positive for influenza virus in El Salvador during the 2012 influenza season. We tested specimens from 321 hospitalized patients: 198 patients with SARI and 123 patients with suspected dengue. Among 121 hospitalized suspected dengue (two co-infected excluded) patients, 28% tested positive for dengue and 19% positive for influenza; among 35 with suspected dengue and respiratory symptoms, 14% were positive for dengue and 39% positive for influenza. One percent presented co-infection between influenza and dengue. Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of influenza among patients with suspected dengue during the influenza season. |
Demographic and clinical characteristics of deaths associated with influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 in Central America and Dominican Republic 2009-2010
Chacon R , Mirza S , Rodriguez D , Paredes A , Guzman G , Moreno L , Then CJ , Jara J , Blanco N , Bonilla L , Clara WA , Minaya P , Palekar R , Azziz-Baumgartner E . BMC Public Health 2015 15 (1) 734 BACKGROUND: The demographic characteristics of pandemic influenza decedents among middle and low-income tropical countries are poorly understood. We explored the demographics of persons who died with influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 infection during 2009-2010, in seven countries in the American tropics. METHODS: We used hospital-based surveillance to identify laboratory-confirmed influenza deaths in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Dominican Republic. An influenza death was defined as a person who died within two weeks of a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) defined as sudden onset of fever >38 degrees C, cough or sore-throat, and shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing requiring hospitalization, and who tested positive for influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus by real time polymerase chain reaction. We abstracted the demographic and clinical characteristics of the deceased from their medical records. RESULTS: During May 2009-June 2010, we identified 183 influenza deaths. Their median age was 32 years (IQR 18-46 years). One-hundred and one (55 %) were female of which 20 (20 %) were pregnant and 7 (7 %) were in postpartum. One-hundred and twelve decedents (61 %) had pre-existing medical conditions, (15 % had obesity, 13 % diabetes, 11 % asthma, 8 % metabolic disorders, 5 % chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 10 % neurological disorders). 65 % received oseltamivir but only 5 % received it within 48 h of symptoms onset. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic killed young adults, pregnant women and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Most sought care too late to fully benefit from oseltamivir. We recommend countries review antiviral treatment policies for people at high risk of developing complications. |
What is the added benefit of oropharyngeal swabs compared to nasal swabs alone for respiratory virus detection in hospitalized children aged <10 years?
Dawood FS , Jara J , Estripeaut D , Vergara O , Luciani K , Corro M , de Leon T , Saldana R , Castillo Baires JM , Rauda Flores R , Cazares RA , Brizuela de Fuentes YS , Franco D , Gaitan M , Schneider E , Berman L , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Widdowson MA . J Infect Dis 2015 212 (10) 1600-3 We evaluated the added value of collecting both nasal and oropharyngeal swabs compared to nasal swabs alone for detection of common respiratory viruses by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in hospitalized children aged <10 years. Nasal swabs had equal or greater sensitivity than oropharyngeal swabs for detection of respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, human metapneumoviruses, rhinovirus, and influenza viruses, but not parainfluenza viruses. The addition of an oropharyngeal swab compared to nasal swab alone increased detection of each respiratory virus by <10% in children aged <10 years. |
The role of temperature and humidity on seasonal influenza in tropical areas: Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama, 2008-2013
Soebiyanto RP , Clara W , Jara J , Castillo L , Sorto OR , Marinero S , de Antinori ME , McCracken JP , Widdowson MA , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Kiang RK . PLoS One 2014 9 (6) e100659 BACKGROUND: The role of meteorological factors on influenza transmission in the tropics is less defined than in the temperate regions. We assessed the association between influenza activity and temperature, specific humidity and rainfall in 6 study areas that included 11 departments or provinces within 3 tropical Central American countries: Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama. METHOD/FINDINGS: Logistic regression was used to model the weekly proportion of laboratory-confirmed influenza positive samples during 2008 to 2013 (excluding pandemic year 2009). Meteorological data was obtained from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite and the Global Land Data Assimilation System. We found that specific humidity was positively associated with influenza activity in El Salvador (Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval of 1.18 (1.07-1.31) and 1.32 (1.08-1.63)) and Panama (OR = 1.44 (1.08-1.93) and 1.97 (1.34-2.93)), but negatively associated with influenza activity in Guatemala (OR = 0.72 (0.6-0.86) and 0.79 (0.69-0.91)). Temperature was negatively associated with influenza in El Salvador's west-central departments (OR = 0.80 (0.7-0.91)) whilst rainfall was positively associated with influenza in Guatemala's central departments (OR = 1.05 (1.01-1.09)) and Panama province (OR = 1.10 (1.05-1.14)). In 4 out of the 6 locations, specific humidity had the highest contribution to the model as compared to temperature and rainfall. The model performed best in estimating 2013 influenza activity in Panama and west-central El Salvador departments (correlation coefficients: 0.5-0.9). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The findings highlighted the association between influenza activity and specific humidity in these 3 tropical countries. Positive association with humidity was found in El Salvador and Panama. Negative association was found in the more subtropical Guatemala, similar to temperate regions. Of all the study locations, Guatemala had annual mean temperature and specific humidity that were lower than the others. |
Improvements in pandemic preparedness in 8 Central American countries, 2008 - 2012
Johnson LE , Clara W , Gambhir M , Fuentes RC , Marin-Correa C , Jara J , Minaya P , Rodriguez D , Blanco N , Iihoshi N , Orozco M , Lange C , Perez SV , Amador N , Widdowson MA , Moen AC , Azziz-Baumgartner E . BMC Health Serv Res 2014 14 (1) 209 BACKGROUND: In view of ongoing pandemic threats such as the recent human cases of novel avian influenza A(H7N9) in China, it is important that all countries continue their preparedness efforts. Since 2006, Central American countries have received donor funding and technical assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to build and improve their capacity for influenza surveillance and pandemic preparedness. Our objective was to measure changes in pandemic preparedness in this region, and explore factors associated with these changes, using evaluations conducted between 2008 and 2012. METHODS: Eight Central American countries scored their pandemic preparedness across 12 capabilities in 2008, 2010 and 2012, using a standardized tool developed by CDC. Scores were calculated by country and capability and compared between evaluation years using the Student's t-test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, respectively. Virological data reported to WHO were used to assess changes in testing capacity between evaluation years. Linear regression was used to examine associations between scores, donor funding, technical assistance and WHO reporting. RESULTS: All countries improved their pandemic preparedness between 2008 and 2012 and seven made statistically significant gains (p < 0.05). Increases in median scores were observed for all 12 capabilities over the same period and were statistically significant for eight of these (p < 0.05): country planning, communications, routine influenza surveillance, national respiratory disease surveillance, outbreak response, resources for containment, community interventions and health sector response. We found a positive association between preparedness scores and cumulative funding between 2006 and 2011 (R2 = 0.5, p < 0.01). The number of specimens reported to WHO from participating countries increased significantly from 5,551 (2008) to 18,172 (2012) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Central America has made significant improvements in influenza pandemic preparedness between 2008 and 2012. U.S. donor funding and technical assistance provided to the region is likely to have contributed to the improvements we observed, although information on other sources of funding and support was unavailable to study. Gains are also likely the result of countries' response to the 2009 influenza pandemic. Further research is required to determine the degree to which pandemic improvements are sustainable. |
Influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths, Costa Rica, 2009-2012
Saborio GG , Clara A , Garcia A , Quesada F , Palekar R , Minaya P , Cervantes M , Lopez M , Lara J , Jara J , Blanco N , Bresee J , Widdowson MA , Azziz-Baumgartner E . Emerg Infect Dis 2014 20 (5) 878-81 Data needed to guide influenza vaccine policies are lacking in tropical countries. We multiplied the number of severe acute respiratory infections by the proportion testing positive for influenza. There were approximately 6,699 influenza hospitalizations and 803 deaths in Costa Rica during 2009-2012, supporting continuation of a national influenza vaccine program. |
Estimated incidence of influenza-virus-associated severe pneumonia in children in El Salvador, 2008-2010
Clara W , Armero J , Rodriguez D , de Lozano C , Bonilla L , Minaya P , Chacon R , Jara J , Blanco N , Widdowson MA , Bresee J , Xu X , Klimov A , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Linares-Perez N . Bull World Health Organ 2012 90 (10) 756-763 OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of influenza-virus-associated severe pneumonia among Salvadorian children aged < 5 years. METHODS: Data on children aged < 5 years admitted with severe pneumonia to a sentinel hospital in the western region were collected weekly. Nasal and oropharyngeal swab specimens were collected from a convenience sample of case patients for respiratory virus testing. A health-care utilization survey was conducted in the hospital catchment area to determine the proportion of residents who sought care at the hospital. The incidence of influenza-virus-associated severe pneumonia among all Salvadorian children aged < 5 years was estimated from surveillance and census data, with adjustment for health-care utilization. Influenza virus strains were characterized by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine their correspondence with northern and southern hemisphere influenza vaccine formulations. FINDINGS: Physicians identified 2554 cases of severe pneumonia. Samples from 608 cases were tested for respiratory viruses and 37 (6%) were positive for influenza virus. The estimated incidence of influenza-virus-associated severe pneumonia was 3.2 cases per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval, CI: 2.8-3.7) overall, 1.5 cases per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 1.0-2.0) during 2008, 7.6 cases per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 6.5-8.9) during 2009 and 0.6 cases per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 0.3-1.0) during 2010. Northern and southern hemisphere vaccine formulations matched influenza virus strains isolated during 2008 and 2010. CONCLUSION: Influenza-virus-associated severe pneumonia occurred frequently among young Salvadorian children during 2008-2010. Antigens in northern and southern hemisphere influenza vaccine formulations corresponded to circulating strains. |
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