Caracas, Venezuela: Probable foodborne Chagas outbreak

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http://promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1060,82627

Archive Number 20100508.1506
Published Date 08-MAY-2010
Subject PRO / ESP> Enf. Chagas, acute outbreak mouth: Probable - Venezuela (CCS)

CHAGAS DISEASE, ACUTE, BUD, VIA ORAL: PROBABLE - VENEZUELA (CARACAS)
************************************************** ****
A statement by ProMED-mail
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: May 8, 2010
Source: El Universal, Venezuela
<Http://www.eluniversal.com/2010/05/08/ccs_ava_confirman-cuatro-cas_08A3869775.shtml
> [Edited by J. Torres]

Epidemiology Department, Ministry of Health confirmed that
ten members of one family, are ill
by Chagas disease.

Miriam Morales, director of the firm, said there is also
five other people, also living in La Vega, municipality
Libertador de Caracas, which are under observation for filing
disease-related symptoms reported by the chip, which
causative agent is Trypanosoma cruzi.

The official said however, the outbreak should not generate
alarm. "A epidemiologically addressed the area and were taken
relevant measures of food hygiene, control of
environmental health and maintain surveillance to identify if there
new cases, "said Morales.

It is suspected that patients ate food contaminated by
chip. Since late 2008, more than 40 children from a
Chacao school were contaminated with the disease after
guava juice drink that was liquid with some of these insects.

"It's a responsibility to notify the population to be
vigilant and maintain security in the consumption of foods that may
be contaminated with droppings and insect vectors, and can
affect health, "he said.

Those who submit the following symptoms: fever for more than 48 hours
malaise, neurological symptoms and gastroentinales strong
should see a doctor to rule out the disease. You must also
be extremely careful with raw fruits and vegetables.


Reported by: Jaime R. Torres <torresjaime@cantv.net>

- ProMED-ESP


[Comment:

Despite the refusal of health authorities to provide
details of the situation has emerged that at least one child has
died as a result of the current outbreak. Several patients with
severe symptoms were admitted to the Hospital? Miguel Perez
Carre?o?, Near the site of occurrence of that outbreak. Not
However, the mechanism is unknown and the specific transmission
magnitude. On the other hand, in the Section of Immunology
Tropical Medicine Institute of the University have been processed
to the present diagnostic samples obtained from 18 cases
symptomatic and likely close relatives, which were
referred by health staff of that hospital.
Fourteen of these 18 samples were initially positive
by ELISA, with titers of IgM and IgG significant
specific, indicating a recent infection with T. cruzi. The
direct and indirect evidence to document the presence of
parasitemia, are currently underway. These results seem
reflect the occurrence of a new urban microepidemic
Acute Chagas disease in oral, of magnitude
considerable. The results of any research
comprehensive epidemiological should be useful for
deeper understanding of this important modality
infection. Moderator Jaime R. Torres R.]

 

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Re: Caracas, Venezuela: Probable foodborne Chagas outbreak

http://promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1050,82617

Spanish to English translationShow romanization
Archive Number 20100508.1498
Published Date 08-MAI-2010
Subject PRO / POR> Doen?a Chagas: Venezuela (Caracas)


Doen?a Chagas VENEZUELA (CARACAS)
*******************************************
Uma Mensagem / A Message / of ProMED-mail <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail e um program da / is a program of the International Society
for
Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>

Data: Saturday, 08 maio / May 2010
De: Promed-Port <Promed-Port@promedmail.org>
Fonte: Bolivarian News Agency [07/05/2010]
http://www.abn.info.ve/noticia.php?articulo=233121&lee=10

Morales: Chagas outbreak in Caracas should not generate warning

Caracas, 07 May. ABN .- The national director of epidemiology at the Ministry
People's Power for Health, Miriam Morales, said on Friday that
focused outbreak of Chagas disease, confirmed in a community of Caracas, not
but it must generate social awareness alert.

After confirming four cases and keep under review other five possible
situations, all located in the same community, said the
situation is being controlled by a joint team of the Ministry of
Address health and environmental health of the Metropolitan District
Caracas.

"There is an alarming situation because it is very focused and determined that
no food for mass consumption involved. That is, it is
determining which were the foods (most common form of transmission
disease) that were consumed and caused the harm to these people, "
said.

He indicated that it is conducting field studies to rule out large
presence of the chip in the area and surrounding areas.

In that sense, Morales underlined the importance of informing the population
general this type of situation, according to generate social awareness
regard to proper food intake and maintain suitable conditions
in the areas of housing.

In this regard, said: "We must inform people about the importance
that food intake is in good condition, safe provenance, which
manufactured products are cooked prior to consumption. "

He stressed that both in Venezuela and the rest of the countries where they
confirmed similar situation, the cause of the disease is consumption
foods that have been visited (walked or urine) by the vector. In
this case, the so-called chip.

Regarding the conditions of the four cases of confirmed Chagas disease,
epidemiologist said conditions are hospitalized in
stable and being treated like the other suspects
of the disease, who are being evaluated.

Common Symptoms

The national director of epidemiology prioritized the importance of going to
physician with any symptoms, because early treatment
avoid possible complications.

The main symptoms of Chagas disease are fever and frequent
persistently between 39 and 40 degrees, abdominal pain, malaise.

The official said that the Ministry of Health is working on a
coordinated with the regional health directorates in all actions
are related to disease prevention and control national plan
vectors, among which include the dengue-causing, evil
Chagas disease and malaria.

 

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Re: Caracas, Venezuela: Foodborne Chagas outbreak

Re: Caracas, Venezuela: Foodborne Chagas outbreak

http://promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,82639

Archive Number 20100509.1517
Published Date 09-MAY-2010
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Trypanosomiasis, foodborne - Venezuela: Caracas


TRYPANOSOMIASIS, FOODBORNE - VENEZUELA: CARACAS
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Sun 9 May 2010
Source: Bolivarian News Agency [machine trans., edited]
<http://healthmap.org/ln.php?423380&trto=en&trfr=es&u3388>


The director of epidemiology at the Ministry of Health, Miriam Morales,
said on Friday [7 May 2010] that an outbreak of Chagas disease, confirmed
in a community of Caracas, should not generate concern.

After confirming 4 cases and 5 more cases under investigation in the same
community, she said that the situation was being controlled by a joint team
of the Ministry of Health and the Environmental Health Directorate of the
Metropolitan District of Caracas.

"There is an alarming situation, but the outbreak is very focused, and we
have determined that there is no food for mass consumption involved. The
Ministry and the local health authorities are trying to determine which
foods [the most common form of transmission of the disease - Mod.EP] were
consumed that caused the infection in these people," Morales said, and went
on to say that field studies were being conducted to rule out a large
presence in the area and surrounding areas.

Morales underlined the importance of informing the general population of
such situations to generate social awareness about proper food intake and
maintenance of suitable housing conditions. In this regard, she said: "We
must inform people about the importance of safe food consumption and safe
cooking of the food prior to consumption."

She insisted that both in Venezuela and in other countries where similar
outbreaks have occurred, the cause of the disease is eating foods that have
been contaminated by the vector. Regarding the condition of the 4 cases of
confirmed Chagas disease, the epidemiologist said that they are
hospitalized, in stable condition and being treated.

The national director of epidemiology prioritized the importance of seeing
a doctor for any symptoms, because early treatment prevents complications.

The main symptoms of Chagas disease are frequent and persistent fever
between 39-40 C, abdominal pain, and feeling unwell.

The official said that the Ministry of Health is working in coordination
with the regional directorates of health in all aspects related to disease
prevention and the national plan of vector control, among which include
dengue fever, Chagas, and malaria.

--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The usual alimentary transmission of Chagas has so far been with fruit and
sugar cane juice, which probably have been contaminated by the triatomid
bugs or their feces. The largest such outbreak was confirmed in Caracas in
2007 (see below), and another outbreak linked to contaminated guava juice
was reported in 2009. - Mod.EP

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Venezuela can be accessed at
<http://healthmap.org/r/008y>. -Mod.SH]

 

[alert]

Re: Caracas, Venezuela: Probable foodborne Chagas outbreak

http://promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1060,82655

CHAGAS DISEASE, ACUTE, ORAL VIA: PROBABLE - VENEZUELA (CCS) (02) ******************************** ********************** A ProMED-mail statement < http://www.promedmail.org > ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society Infectious Diseases < http://www.isid.org > Date: May 11, 2010 Source: El Nacional < http://www.el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=nodo/136660 / Comunidad/19-personas-hospitalizadas-por-Chagas-en-el-% C3% A1rea-metropolitan > [Edited by J. Torres] Miriam Morales, directora de Epidemiolog?a del Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Salud, inform? que contin?an realizando las investigaciones relacionadas con el brote de Chagas, detectado en el ?rea metropolitana de Caracas y que hasta los momentos registra 19 personas hospitalizadas. Durante un encuentro sostenido con epidemi?logos de todos los establecimientos de salud del Distrito Capital, Morales asegur? que la situaci?n se encuentra ?controlada?. Por su parte, la viceministra de Salud Colectiva, Eugenia Sader, asegur? que los 15 casos de chagas que se identificaron con serolog?a positiva en la Parroquia de Ant?mano, ya est?n siendo controlados. Sader afirm? que el Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Salud, conjuntamente con las comunidades, ha logrado hacer un esfuerzo en la b?squeda activa de estos casos y se han impartido jornadas educativas acerca de c?mo identificar el chipo que origina este brote epid?mico. Sader sostuvo que, hasta el momento, no se ha detectado ning?n caso fuera de la Parroquia Ant?mano, sin embargo, se est?n tomado las medidas necesarias para que las comunidades organizadas reciban educaci?n en este sentido y realicen sus mayores esfuerzos en mantener la limpieza del hogar, hacer fumigaciones, lavar los dep?sitos y utilizar mosquiteros para evitar el ingreso de estos insectos. Comunicado por: Jaime R. Torres] Miriam Morales, Director of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Popular Power for Health, reported that continue to conduct research related to the outbreak of Chagas disease, detected in the Caracas metropolitan area and that until now had 19 people hospitalized. During a meeting sustained with epidemiologists from all health facilities in the Capital District, Morales said the situation is ? Control ?. For his part, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Eugenia Sader, said the 15 cases of Chagas disease were identified with positive serology in the Parish of Ant?mano, are already being controlled. Sader said that the Ministry of Popular Power for Health, in conjunction with communities, has managed to make an effort in the active pursuit of these cases and have conducted educational sessions on how to identify the chip that caused this outbreak. Sader said that so far has not detected any case outside the Parish Ant?mano, however, measures are being taken to ensure that organized communities are educated in this regard and make their greater efforts in maintaining the cleanliness of the home, to spraying, wash the shells and use mosquito nets to prevent the entry of these insects. Reported by: Jaime R. Torres < torresjaime@cantv.net > -- ProMED-ESP [Ver tambi?n: Enf. Torres < torresjaime@cantv.net > - ProMED-ESP [See also: Enf. de Chagas, aguda, via oral: Probable - Venezuela (CCS) 20100508.1507 ] ----- ProMED-mail .................................jt

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Caracas, Venezuela: Probable foodborne Chagas outbreak

Source: http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/05/11/en_pol_art_chagas-disease-threa_11A3875059.shtml

Chagas disease threatens 6 million people in Venezuela
The Venezuelan states with the highest number of cases are Lara, Portuguesa, Trujillo and Barinas. In less than two and a half years, the metropolitan area of Caracas has been affected by three massive outbreaks. A fruit juice was the contamination factor both the municipality of Chacao and in the town of Chichiriviche de la Costa

Country
Six million people live at risk of contracting Chagas disease in Venezuela. The insect that spreads the Chagas disease, the chipo (Rhodnius prolixus) is the main mode of transmission, said Ana Carvajal, of the Network of Scientific Societies in Venezuela.

Experts believe that 101,488 square kilometers of the Venezuelan territory, including 198 municipalities, are a common habitat for chipo.

Although the insect can be found in the Capital District and 22 Venezuelan states, the states with most diagnosed cases are Trujillo, Lara, Portuguesa and Barinas, due to their geographical location at foot of hills, near coffee plantations and houses made of mud and straw that facilitate the survival of the vector.

However, in less than two and a half years, the metropolitan area of Caracas has been affected by three massive outbreaks. A fruit juice was the contamination factor both in the municipality of Chacao and in the town of Chichiriviche de la Costa.

The latest outbreak was recorded in La Pedrera, Ant?mano, southwest Caracas. The causes behind the simultaneous onset of Chagas disease in 15 people, mostly children and almost all still hospitalized, have not been determined.

Giuliana Chiappe
EL UNIVERSAL

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Caracas, Venezuela: Probable foodborne Chagas outbreak

Source: http://en.mercopress.com/2010/05/14...rasite-disease-threatens-metropolitan-caracas

* Friday, May 14th 2010 - 01:46 UTC
Outbreak of Tropical Parasite Disease Threatens Metropolitan Caracas

Venezuelan Health and Social Protection Minister Luis Reyes confirmed 15 cases of Chagas disease in the capital Caracas, following an outbreak in the popular quarters of the city. However Minister Reyes flatly discarded the word ?epidemics?.

Health Ministry Epidemiology Director, Miriam Morales said 18 people had been under observation and blood samples of 15 had been found positive. All the people live in the same area where the outbreak was discovered.

At the moment, four children are interned in Miguel P?rez Carreno Hospital. Morales maintained that those suspected of Chagas disease will undergo three additional tests before a final diagnosis is announced. The death of a baby in the same neighbourhood two weeks ago is the subject of an investigation, even though Morales is of the opinion that the death is not related to Chagas.

Ministry Environmental Health Department officials have been visiting the area where the outbreak occurred and reported that the zone is hilly and semi-urban, but have found no other persons with the symptoms. Officials are combining the campaign to root out the bugs that cause Chagas with anti-dengue campaigns since both carriers?the chipo bug and mosquitoes?thrive in garbage and moist areas of houses.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) estimates that 1,500 new cases of the illness are recorded in Venezuela each year and a total 769 people die of the disease every year. Some people carry the parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease without developing symptoms.

PAHO in its quantitative estimate of Chagas disease in the Americas, updated as of 2005, estimated that carriers of the disease with visible symptoms amount to 350,000 people in Venezuela. The insect that spreads the Chagas disease, the chipo?Rhodnius prolixus or ?kissing bug??is the main mode of transmission, said Ana Carvajal, of the Network of Scientific Societies in Venezuela.

Experts believe that 101,488 square kilometres of the Venezuelan territory, including 198 municipalities, are a common habitat for chipo. Although the insect can be found in the Capital District and 22 Venezuelan states, the states with most diagnosed cases are Trujillo, Lara, Portuguesa and Barinas, due to their geographical location at foot of hills, near coffee plantations and houses made of mud and straw that facilitate the survival of the vector.

However, in less than two and a half years, the metropolitan area of Caracas has been affected by three massive outbreaks. A fruit juice was the contamination factor both in the municipality of Chacao and in the town of Chichiriviche de la Costa.

The symptoms of Chagas disease vary over the course of an infection. In the early, acute stage, symptoms are mild and usually produce no more than local swelling at the site of infection. After 4-8 weeks, infected individuals enter the chronic phase of Chagas disease that is asymptomatic for 60-80% of individuals.

The initial acute phase is responsive to antiparasitic treatments, with 60-90% cure rates. These antiparasitic treatments also appear to delay or prevent the development of disease symptoms during the chronic phase of the disease, but 20-50% of infected individuals will eventually develop life-threatening heart and digestive system disorders.

The currently available antiparasitic treatments for Chagas disease are benznidazole and nifurtimox, which can cause temporary side effects in many patients including skin disorders, brain toxicity, and digestive system irritation. Together with malaria and squistosomiaisis, Chagas is among the top three most common parasite infection diseases and is closely associated to different illness related to the heart.

The disease takes the name of the Brazilian scientist who discovered the parasite and the infecting insect, Dr. Carlos Chagas.

 

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Re: Caracas, Venezuela: Probable foodborne Chagas outbreak

http://promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1060,82693

Spanish to English translationShow romanization
Archive Number 20100513.1561
Published Date 13-MAY-2010
Subject PRO / ESP> Enf. Chagas, acute outbreak - Venezuela (Caracas)

CHAGAS DISEASE, ACUTE, BUD - VENEZUELA (CARACAS)
************************************************** ****
A statement by ProMED-mail
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: May 13, 2010
Source: Diario La Verdad, Venezuela
<http://www.laverdad.com/detnotic.php?CodNotic=34163> [Edited by J.
Torres]

Fear and uncertainty are the main feelings that surface in
people to hear about Chagas disease. Little information
and ignorance contribute greatly to increasing
concern about the disease, and more so when Luis Reyes Reyes,
Minister of Health and Social Protection, confirmed Tuesday an outbreak in
Caracas, specifically in the parish Ant?mano.

They are 16 confirmed cases and 14 others, who are family members and
of the families of the 58 houses that make up the sector and
symptoms, are being analyzed. In the next 24 hours
will the results.

The owner of the said health portfolio and were taken
necessary measures to prevent the proliferation of cases. ? We
Search crews made to work 24 hours
respond to any suspicious situation called by or vulnerable to
disease. There is no epidemic in the capital city. "

Pierre Morel, director of Environmental Health in Zulia, said that bad
Chagas disease occurs in acute and chronic. In the first the
person indicates irritability, restlessness, palpitations,
tachycardia and arrhythmias, while the second develops
heart failure. ? This process can take up to 30 years. "
The parasite used as a reservoir more than 150 animal species, such
such as pigeons, rats, dogs and cats. ?? The insect, biting,
immediately let out the feces, which contain a substance that
in the area itchy?. He said that usually the person
cause scratches and some bruising of the skin, which is introduced
parasite to the body. ? Some people, by scratching the skin,
hand are infected with the feces in the eyes and produce
chagoma inoculation, which is inflammation of the eye? and lymph
nodes.

He stressed that the only forms of disease transmission are
exposure to the chip, for through the placenta, ie at the time of
childbirth laboratory accident (transfusions) or by ingesting
food contaminated with the feces of the insect.

Nelly Barboza, regional epidemiologist, said that doctors
infectious disease are responsible for managing these patients. By
Usually one treatment is the use of antiparasitic drugs.


Reported by: Jaime R. Torres <torresjaime@cantv.net>


[Comment:

Despite having more than 5 days after recognized
an outbreak, or microbiologically of the disease in a crowded
sector of the city of Caracas, health authorities have not
unclear whether this is an oral presentation of the product
accidental contamination of fresh food, as suggested in
the first official statements or on the contrary, the
many identified are acute exposure
home vectors infected recently in an urban area
infested. The implications of both situations are very different.
In the first case, the steps to take other medical,
related to identifying and correcting potential
deficiencies in food processing or handling
offending. By contrast, the occurrence of an outbreak vector
reflect the occurrence of serious failures in control programs
of the disease, based largely on control activities
home delivery through the application of insecticides
waste. Moderator Jaime R. Torres]

- ProMED-ESP

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Caracas, Venezuela: Probable foodborne Chagas outbreak

Source: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/venezuela/100610/chagas-disease

Venezuela: the hidden Chagas disease
A little-known illness is on the rise in Venezuela.

By Charlie Devereux - GlobalPost
Published: June 11, 2010 06:32 ET in The Americas

CARACAS, Venezuela ? It was just a glass of guava juice. But now Emily Cordova is undergoing treatment with such harsh side effects that many compare it to cancer chemotherapy.

Three years ago, Cordova and some 100 other children and teachers at a school in the middle-class Caracas neighborhood of Chacao were infected with Chagas disease after drinking juice at the school canteen.

?It?s difficult because you are used to living a different life,? said Cordova, now 16, while waiting to take treatment at the Institute for Tropical Medicine in Caracas. ?When I was small my grandmother used to take me to the beach every weekend but now I can?t go because when taking the treatment the sun stains your skin...?