Public Health Response to Zika Virus Exposure of Air Force Members Deployed to Caribbean Islands, 2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (9-10) ◽  
pp. e1453-e1460
Author(s):  
Jameson Voss ◽  
Danny Dacey ◽  
Stefani Ruiz ◽  
Amanda Burkhardt ◽  
Alain Pujolar ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The emergence of Zika virus disease (ZVD) in areas of military operations provided a new opportunity for force health protection. ZVD infection had an estimated 4:1 asymptomatic-to-symptomatic ratio and can cause neurologic sequelae. Materials and Methods We provide a brief report of a field investigation utilizing laboratory-based surveillance and survey instruments to characterize ZVD risk among personnel deployed to the Dominican Republic in support of Operation NEW HORIZONS (NH). Additionally, we describe a cluster of 3 ZVD cases among 8 aircrew on a short mission to St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands). Results Following Operation NH, 6 of a total 189 deployed cohort members tested positive for ZVD by immunoglobulin M and confirmatory plaque reduction neutralization test (3.2%). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing in urine or serum was positive in 4 of those 6 cases. All 6 cases reported at least one symptom, with 5 reporting subjective fever and arthralgia and 4 reporting rash. Cases were less likely to have air-conditioned living quarters (odds ratio = 0.1; 95% confidence interval 0.02–0.77; P < 0.03), but were otherwise similar to non-cases. Likewise, in St. Croix, 3/8 tested positive by immunoglobulin M and plaque reduction neutralization test for an attack rate of 38%. Similar to Operation NH, all three cases were symptomatic with subjective fever (67%), arthralgia (67%), and/or rash (100%). Conclusions This field investigation identified differing, mission location-dependent ZVD attack rates and a 0:9 asymptomatic-to-symptomatic case ratio. As this was unexpected based on a previous report of a 4:1 ratio, it emphasizes the need to be cautious before generalizing outbreak characteristics between populations while also offering additional practical experience for force health protection.

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (45) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Giron ◽  
Florian Franke ◽  
Anne Decoppet ◽  
Bernard Cadiou ◽  
Thierry Travaglini ◽  
...  

On 1 October 2019, a locally-acquired Zika virus disease case was laboratory confirmed in Hyères, Var department. Active case finding identified two additional locally-acquired cases living within 90 m, with symptom onset 8 days before the index case. Extensive patient interviews did not yield information supporting transmission through sexual contact or substances of human origin. Vector-borne transmission by local Aedes albopictus mosquitoes is the most likely mode of transmission. Here we describe the public health response.


This book is an accessible and practical core text on the three domains of health protection: Communicable Disease Control, Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR), and protection of the public from environmental hazards (Environmental Public Health). The editors have attempted to develop an “all hazards approach” to dealing with health protection situations. Most health protection books confine themselves to one of the three domains, whereas this book presents a practical and all hazards approach, with some account of the overarching principles of health protection on which day-to-day practice rests. The target audience is health protection practitioners, students, doctors, nurses and other non-medical professionals who may encounter health protection issues in their daily practice. From a clear introduction to the essential principles of health protection work, the book guides readers through how to manage real health protection incidents using a combination of case studies and quick reference action checklists. Each case study provides a common health protection scenario which develops in stages, in the same way as a real-life case or incident. As the story unfolds, the reader will learn about the nature and significance of the specific threat to population health, the practical steps and issues involved in an effective public health response and the health protection principles underpinning that response. Other chapters outline the general principles of health protection, providing a deeper understanding of key tools and mechanisms, as well as insights into new and emerging health protection issues. A series of individual checklists dealing with a broad range of commonly-faced diseases, hazards and incidents complete the book. These give concise and practically-focused information that can be used even by non-specialists in time-pressured situations. In particular, the variety of chapters covered throughout the book, on Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response, and Environmental Public Health, offer a unique perspective borne out of practical experience, not easily accessible elsewhere.


2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 2462-2471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaud G. L'Huillier ◽  
Anne Hamid-Allie ◽  
Erik Kristjanson ◽  
Louis Papageorgiou ◽  
Sam Hung ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWith the emerging Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic, serologic diagnosis relies on a labor-intensive IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) and confirmation by a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). To streamline serologic testing, several commercial assays have been developed. Our aim was to compare the commercial Euroimmun anti-ZIKV IgM and IgG assays to the reference MAC-ELISA and PRNT currently in use. Serum specimens submitted to Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Canada, were tested for IgM and IgG using the Euroimmun assays and the results were compared with those from MAC-ELISA. The PRNT was performed on positive or equivocal specimens using either MAC-ELISA or Euroimmun assays, MAC-ELISA-inconclusive specimens, and a convenience sample of specimens negative by both assays (cohort 1). Another set of specimens selected on the basis of PRNT results was subsequently tested by the Euroimmun assays (cohort 2). MAC-ELISA was positive, equivocal, negative, and inconclusive in 57/223, 15/223, 147/223, and 4/223 specimens, respectively. Among the 76 specimens that were MAC-ELISA positive, equivocal, or inconclusive, 30 (39.5%) were Euroimmun IgM and/or IgG positive or equivocal. Among the 147 MAC-ELISA-negative specimens, 136 (92.5%) were Euroimmun IgM and IgG negative. The sensitivity of the combined Euroimmun IgM/IgG against the PRNT was 83% (cohort 1) and 92% (cohort 2), whereas the specificity was 81% (cohort 1) and 65% (cohort 2). The combined Euroimmun IgM/IgG showed good specificity (92.5%) but suboptimal sensitivity (39.5%) compared with that of the MAC-ELISA. However, the sensitivity of the combined Euroimmun IgM/IgG against the PRNT was significantly higher (83 to 92%). More studies are needed before commercial assays are implemented for routine ZIKV serologic diagnosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 218 (4) ◽  
pp. 555-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry F Brown ◽  
John M Dye ◽  
Sam Tozay ◽  
Gertrude Jeh-Mulbah ◽  
David A Wohl ◽  
...  

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent and microneutralization assays of 180 Ebola convalescent plasma specimens were highly concordant and predictive for detection of antibody by 50% plaque reduction neutralization test. Viral load decreased following infusion of antibody-containing plasma in 2 Ebola virus disease patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 440-447
Author(s):  
Mya Myat Ngwe Tun ◽  
Saw Wut Hmone ◽  
Aung Min Soe ◽  
Elizabeth Luvai ◽  
Khine Mya Nwe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus. Outbreaks of ZIKV infection have occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Americas and the Caribbean. Although most ZIKV infections are asymptomatic, cases of neurological manifestations have been described. The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of ZIKV infection among the asymptomatic persons in Myanmar in 2018. Methods A total of 284 serum samples from apparently healthy persons were collected from Yangon, Myanmar in 2018. They were analysed for ZIKV infection by immunoglobulin M (IgM) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), IgG indirect ELISA, 50% focus reduction neutralization test, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and conventional RT-PCR. Results Of the 284 apparently healthy persons, 31.3% were positive for the presence of IgM against ZIKV and 94.3% were positive for anti-flavivirus IgG. Among the ZIKV IgM-positive samples, we confirmed ZIKV infection in 15.8% of asymptomatic persons by neutralization test and real-time RT-PCR. Conclusions We conclude that ZIKV infection was increasing among asymptomatic persons in the same area in Myanmar during 2018 compared with 2017. It is highly recommended to strengthen the surveillance system for ZIKV to prevent possible outbreaks.


2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 566-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison J. Johnson ◽  
Amanda J. Noga ◽  
Olga Kosoy ◽  
Robert S. Lanciotti ◽  
Alicia A. Johnson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT West Nile (WN) virus was introduced into the United States in 1999, when the first human cases of WN fever and encephalitis appeared in New York City. From there, the virus has spread throughout North America, in some areas cocirculating with the related flavivirus St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus. Public health laboratories currently use an immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) as a primary test for human serodiagnosis, followed by a confirmatory plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT). The MAC-ELISAs take 2 days to perform; therefore there is a need for a more rapid test. This report describes a duplex microsphere-based immunoassay (MIA) that shortens the test processing time to about 4.5 h. The assay employs two sets of microspheres coupled to a single flavivirus group-reactive antibody, which are used to capture the WN and SLE viral antigens independently. Immunoglobulin G-depleted serum is concurrently assayed for IgM antibodies to each of the viral antigens. The results are standardized and classified by using quadratic discriminant analysis so that a single result, anti-WN IgM-positive, anti-SLE IgM-positive, negative, or nonspecific, can be determined. The duplex MIA results compared favorably to those of the plaque-reduction neutralization test and MAC-ELISA. The assay proved to be reproducible, produced accurate classifications as to the infecting virus, and was specific.


2018 ◽  
Vol 220 (6) ◽  
pp. 932-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli S Rosenberg ◽  
Kate Doyle ◽  
Jorge L Munoz-Jordan ◽  
Liore Klein ◽  
Laura Adams ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Little is known about the prevalence or incidence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in settings affected by the 2015–2016 Zika pandemic and associated risk factors. We assessed these factors among household contacts of patients with ZIKV disease enrolled in a cohort study in Puerto Rico during 2016–2017. Methods Household contacts of index case patients completed a questionnaire and gave specimens for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing to detect ZIKV infection. We measured the prevalence of ZIKV infection among contacts and associated individual and household factors, examined sexual transmission using a sexual-networks approach, and assessed incident infection among initially uninfected household contacts 2–4 months later. Results Of 366 contacts, 34.4% had evidence of ZIKV infection at enrollment, including 11.2% by RT-PCR. Having open doors and windows that were either screened (prevalence ratio [PR], 2.1 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.2–3.6]) or unscreened (PR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.5–4.1]) was associated with increased prevalence. Sexual partners were more likely to both be RT-PCR positive relative to other relationships (odds ratio, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.1–4.5]). At follow-up, 6.1% of contacts had evidence of incident infection. Conclusions This study identified sexual contact as a risk factor for ZIKV infection. Persons living with ZIKV-infected individuals should be a focus of public health efforts.


2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi K. Tepper ◽  
Howard I. Goldberg ◽  
Manuel I. Vargas Bernal ◽  
Brenda Rivera ◽  
Meghan T. Frey ◽  
...  

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