scholarly journals Vector distribution and transmission risk of the Zika virus in South and Central America

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7920
Author(s):  
Sarah Cunze ◽  
Judith Kochmann ◽  
Lisa K. Koch ◽  
Elisa Genthner ◽  
Sven Klimpel
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Central America ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Vector Species

Background Zika is of great medical relevance due to its rapid geographical spread in 2015 and 2016 in South America and its serious implications, for example, certain birth defects. Recent epidemics urgently require a better understanding of geographic patterns of the Zika virus transmission risk. This study aims to map the Zika virus transmission risk in South and Central America. We applied the maximum entropy approach, which is common for species distribution modelling, but is now also widely in use for estimating the geographical distribution of infectious diseases. Methods As predictor variables we used a set of variables considered to be potential drivers of both direct and indirect effects on the emergence of Zika. Specifically, we considered (a) the modelled habitat suitability for the two main vector species Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus as a proxy of vector species distributions; (b) temperature, as it has a great influence on virus transmission; (c) commonly called evidence consensus maps (ECM) of human Zika virus infections on a regional scale as a proxy for virus distribution; (d) ECM of human dengue virus infections and, (e) as possibly relevant socio-economic factors, population density and the gross domestic product. Results The highest values for the Zika transmission risk were modelled for the eastern coast of Brazil as well as in Central America, moderate values for the Amazon basin and low values for southern parts of South America. The following countries were modelled to be particularly affected: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. While modelled vector habitat suitability as predictor variable showed the highest contribution to the transmission risk model, temperature of the warmest quarter contributed only comparatively little. Areas with optimal temperature conditions for virus transmission overlapped only little with areas of suitable habitat conditions for the two main vector species. Instead, areas with the highest transmission risk were characterised as areas with temperatures below the optimum of the virus, but high habitat suitability modelled for the two main vector species. Conclusion Modelling approaches can help estimating the spatial and temporal dynamics of a disease. We focused on the key drivers relevant in the Zika transmission cycle (vector, pathogen, and hosts) and integrated each single component into the model. Despite the uncertainties generally associated with modelling, the approach applied in this study can be used as a tool and assist decision making and managing the spread of Zika.

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 A GLOBAL CONCERN ON ZIKA VIRUS: TRANSMISSION, DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 136-140
Author(s):  
Nikhal Kushwaha ◽  
Vipin Kesharwani ◽  
Pankaj Kumar Jaiswal
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Vaccine Treatment ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The World ◽  
United Republic Of Tanzania ◽  
Virus Spreading

Zika virus is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus belongs to family Flaviviridae which becomes the focus of an ongoing pandemic and public health emergency all around the world. Zika virus has two lineages African and Asian. Mosquito-borne flavivirus is thought to replicate initially in dendritic cell and then spread to lymph nodes and then to the bloodstream. Zika virus was initially recognized in Uganda in 1947 in Monkeys through a method that observed yellow fever. It was later distinguished in people in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. The explosions of the zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, The Americas, Asia, and The Pacific. Gillian-Berre syndrome and congenital malformation (microcephaly) suspected to be linked with Zika virus. The virus can only be confirmed through laboratory test on blood or other body fluids, such as urine, saliva or semen. No specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus disease exists. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with rest, fluid and medications. WHO/PAHO encourages the countries to establish and maintain Zika Virus infections, detection, clinical management and community assurances strategies to reduce transmission of the virus. The future of Zika Virus spreading to other parts of the world is still unknown. Keywords: Zika Virus, flavivirus, Mosquito, Vaccine, Treatment, Microcephaly, WHO/PAHO.

scholarly journals Global risk model for vector-borne transmission of Zika virus reveals the role of El Niño 2015

2016 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cyril Caminade ◽  
Joanne Turner ◽  
Soeren Metelmann ◽  
Jenny C. Hesson ◽  
Marcus S. C. Blagrove ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
El Niño ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
The United States ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Boreal Summer ◽  
Mosquito Vector

Zika, a mosquito-borne viral disease that emerged in South America in 2015, was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO in February of 2016. We developed a climate-driven R0 mathematical model for the transmission risk of Zika virus (ZIKV) that explicitly includes two key mosquito vector species: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The model was parameterized and calibrated using the most up to date information from the available literature. It was then driven by observed gridded temperature and rainfall datasets for the period 1950–2015. We find that the transmission risk in South America in 2015 was the highest since 1950. This maximum is related to favoring temperature conditions that caused the simulated biting rates to be largest and mosquito mortality rates and extrinsic incubation periods to be smallest in 2015. This event followed the suspected introduction of ZIKV in Brazil in 2013. The ZIKV outbreak in Latin America has very likely been fueled by the 2015–2016 El Niño climate phenomenon affecting the region. The highest transmission risk globally is in South America and tropical countries where Ae. aegypti is abundant. Transmission risk is strongly seasonal in temperate regions where Ae. albopictus is present, with significant risk of ZIKV transmission in the southeastern states of the United States, in southern China, and to a lesser extent, over southern Europe during the boreal summer season.

scholarly journals A new late Cenozoic species of Abertella (Echinoidea: Clypeasteroida) from Patagonia

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3608 (5) ◽  
pp. 369-378
Author(s):  
ANDREAS KROH ◽  
RICH MOOI ◽  
CLAUDIA DEL RÍO ◽  
CHRISTIAN NEUMANN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
South America ◽  
Central America ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Sand Dollar ◽  
Late Cenozoic ◽  
Southeastern Usa ◽  
A New Species

A new species of abertellid sand dollar, Abertella miskellyi n. sp., is described from the Miocene Camarones Formation of Patagonia, southern Argentina. The new taxon corroborates the existence of the genus in South America, given that Abertella is most common in the southeastern USA and the eastern coast of Central America. It is characterized by a unique basicoronal circle, in which the interambulacral basicoronal plates are very heterogeneous in size (small in interambulacrum 5, largest in interambulacra 2 and 3). Additionally, it features disjunct oral interambulacra involving two ambulacral plates in some of the interambulacra rather than one, thus being the most disjunct of all known species of Abertella. A key to the species of the genus is provided.

Preferences for trauma-related mental health services among Latina immigrants from Central America, South America, and Mexico.

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey Kaltman ◽  
Alejandra Hurtado de Mendoza ◽  
Felisa A. Gonzales ◽  
Adriana Serrano
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
South America ◽  
Central America ◽  
Latina Immigrants ◽  
America South
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