Operational Biosurveillance

Chilean Officials Issue Alert Following Uptick in Hantavirus Cases in Earthquake-Affected Region

Report Type:  Surveillance Report

Location: Araucanía, Aysén, Bio Bio, Los Lagos , Los Ríos, Maule, O’Higgins, Valparaíso

Disease Entity:  Hantavirus

Chilean Health Ministry officials reported concern this week over the risk of hantavirus infections among earthquake survivors in the southern region of the country where an increase in hantavirus transmission has been recorded.  In 2010, cases have been identified in Araucanía (2), Aysén (1), Bio Bio (10), Los Lagos (1) , Los Ríos (4), Maule (3), O’Higgins (2), Valparaíso (1).  The Health Ministry issued an alert to make at risk individuals aware of hantavirus symptoms and precautionary measures against infection.  

First Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Case Detected Among Earthquake Survivors in Chile

Report Type:  Surveillance Report

Location:  Concepción

Disease Entity:  Influenza

On March 26th, the Chilean Ministry of Health reported the first confirmed case of pandemic H1N1 influenza among earthquake-affected populations.  The infected is a five-year-old male from Mocha Island who is currently receiving treatment at Guillermo Grant Benavente Hospital located in Concepción.  In response, the Ministry is reported to be expanding influenza vaccinations among risk groups and individuals living in temporary shelters. 

In our Initial Operational Biosurveillance Assessment of Chile following the February 27th earthquake, we noted an increased risk of pandemic H1N1 influenza transmission once conditions are optimized.   Daily-recorded temperatures in Concepción are transitioning to conditions favorable for increased transmission of influenza viruses and should be optimized in the coming weeks making current vaccination campaigns a key response measure.  

Chile: Initial Operational Biosurveillance Assessment

Chile is a country with relatively mild infectious disease activity based in part by the temperate climate and well-established medical, public health, and sanitation infrastructures. Unlike Haiti, the percentage of both rural and urban populations who have access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities is high. Furthermore, Chile has achieved successful annual vaccination campaigns against a variety of diseases including diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis B, measles, pertussis, polio, rotavirus, tetanus and tuberculosis.

In the past year, the disease entity associated the greatest social concern among the country’s population has been pandemic (H1N1) influenza. The typical onset of seasonal influenza transmission in Chile occurs during the month of May and abates during the month of September. Currently, the conditions for influenza transmission are not optimized and herd immunity for pandemic H1N1 is likely high given they have already seen substantial transmission. Therefore, the risk level to see disruptive pandemic influenza transmission is minimal.

We await further clarity on tsunami activity and associated impact in other areas of Chile and the Pacific Rim. Impact of tsunamis is of concern for affected coastal populations given the potential for damage to water distribution infrastructure followed by contamination from sewage and salt water. Contamination of water supplies will increase the risk of diarrheal diseases as seen in Haiti. As the impact of the 27 February 2010 earthquake in Chile is evaluated and reported, we will expand our risk assessment for all localities of relevance.

Sources:

http://apps.who.int/whosis/database/core/core_select_process.cfm?countries=chl&indicators=PopAccessImprovedWaterUrban&indicators=PopAccessImprovedWaterRural&indicators=PopAccessImprovedSanitationUrban&indicators=PopAccessImprovedSanitationRural

http://www.who.int/immunization_monitoring/en/globalsummary/countryprofileresult.cfm?C='chl'

Chile: Operational Biosurveillance Activated

As with our efforts in Haiti, we have activated surveillance for Chile and will be ranging outward to anticipated tsunami impact areas.  Further information will be posted shortly.