Resumen de Spatio-temporal distribution of Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya in Cali, Colombia: 2014-2016

Jose Fernando Fuertes Bucheli, Gladys Pérez Arizabaleta, Andrea Quiroz Caicedo, Robín Alexis Olaya, Hoover O. León Giraldo, Robinson Pacheco López

• español

  Introduction: Emerging and re-emerging arboviral infections have become a public health challenge in the Americas due to their epidemic potential. Objective: To determine the spatio-temporal distribution of the dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses during an epidemic period in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: Multi-method descriptive ecological and exploratory study of confirmed and suspected cases reported to the epidemiological surveillance system between 2014 and 2016. Results: 40,168 cases were analyzed, and it was found that dengue was the most frequent arboviral infection (59.2 %). The most affected individuals were women (65 %) and those with a mean age of 34.5 years. Although arboviral infections spread out throughout the city, the three diseases were concentrated in significant groups located at the center-east and northeast areas of Cali (p<0.01; z=-203.7). Conclusions: This study identified critical zones for the three arboviral infections, which are located in areas with low socioeconomic status. Likewise, the results suggest that in addition to eco-epidemiological and bio-psychosocial factors, temperature, precipitation, and the aedic index may play an important role in the spatio-temporal behavior of these diseases. A multidisciplinary and collaborative approach is necessary, which must involve communities and authorities to implement effective control strategies, especially during epidemic periods.

• English

  Introduction: Emerging and re-emerging arboviral infections have become a public health challenge in the Americas due to their epidemic potential. Objective: To determine the spatio-temporal distribution of the dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses during an epidemic period in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: Multi-method descriptive ecological and exploratory study of confirmed and suspected cases reported to the epidemiological surveillance system between 2014 and 2016. Results: 40,168 cases were analyzed, and it was found that dengue was the most frequent arboviral infection (59.2 %). The most affected individuals were women (65 %) and those with a mean age of 34.5 years. Although arboviral infections spread out throughout the city, the three diseases were concentrated in significant groups located at the center-east and northeast areas of Cali (p<0.01; z=-203.7). Conclusions: This study identified critical zones for the three arboviral infections, which are located in areas with low socioeconomic status. Likewise, the results suggest that in addition to eco-epidemiological and bio-psychosocial factors, temperature, precipitation, and the aedic index may play an important role in the spatio-temporal behavior of these diseases. A multidisciplinary and collaborative approach is necessary, which must involve communities and authorities to implement effective control strategies, especially during epidemic periods.

• português

  Introdução: Arbovírus emergentes e reemergentes representam um desafio de saúde pública nas Américas, devido ao seu potencial epidêmico. Objetivo: Determinar a distribuição espaço-temporal dos vírus dengue, Zika e chikungunya, em período epidêmico em Cali. Materiais e métodos: Estudo multimetodo, descritivo e ecológico exploratório de casos confirmados e suspeitos notificados ao sistema de vigilância epidemiológica, entre 2014 e 2016. Resultados: foram analisados 40.168 casos, constatou-se que a dengue foi a arbovirose mais frequente (59,2 %). Os indivíduos mais acometidos tinham idade média de 34,5 anos e eram predominantemente mulheres (65 %). Os arbovírus foram distribuídos por toda a cidade, mas foram identificados aglomerados significativos no centro-leste e nordeste de Cali para as três doenças (p<0,01; z=-203,7). Conclusão: Este estudo destaca a identificação de zonas críticas para as três arboviroses que estão localizadas em áreas com atraso socioeconômico. Além disso, os resultados sugerem que fatores eco-epidemiológicos e biopsicossociais adicionais à temperatura, à precipitação e ao índice aedico podem desempenhar um papel importante no comportamento espaço-temporal destas doenças. Recomenda-se uma abordagem multidisciplinar e colaborativa, envolvendo a comunidade e as autoridades, para implementar estratégias de controlo eficazes, especialmente durante períodos epidémicos.