Re: Adenovirus alert in Bogota
http://www.elespectador.com/impreso/temadeldia/articulo-250247-adenovirus-una-amenaza-los-ninos
Spanish to Eng. translation
February 11, 2011 - 12:01 am
Adenovirus, a threat to children
Invite authorities to strengthen preventive measures
By: Writing Life
The Health Ministry in Bogota said the epidemiological alert for the increase of this disease agent that can cause death.
Epidemiological alert
The last time health officials in Bogota went on alert due to the proliferation of infections caused by adenovirus was two years ago and the emergency lasted only a few weeks. Then, as now, the only fatality was a baby. Children under six are most vulnerable to respiratory infections such as the pathological agent that causes this and that, if not treated promptly, can cause serious complications, including premature death.
Therefore, to detect an increase in the circulation of adenovirus in the capital, which rose from
17.4% in 2010 to 19.5% so far this year, the Epidemiological Surveillance Committee, headed by the secretary Health District, Hector Zambrano, did not hesitate to do in the morning yesterday and order a special meeting of the epidemiological alert in order to ensure that organizations providing health service in its early diagnose new cases and the community have the information necessary to prevent massive infection.
Unfortunately, according to a recent report by the National Institutes of Health, reproduced in the Journal of Public Health, in Colombia there is little information about the behavior patterns of respiratory infections and their relationship to the adenovirus. However, it is known that they infect mainly children under four years, there are viruses that circulate all the time in the environment, but usually appear when the rainy season approaches and there are sudden temperature changes, such as those are occurring in recent days in the city.
There are over 50 serotypes and the most common cause pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, acute bronchiolitis and pneumonia are, according to the report of the National Institute of Health, more severe clinical manifestations especially in children, who may be fatal . Precisely to protect this vulnerable population is to be declared emergency, but said Ricardo Rojas, director of public health at the Ministry of Health, this does not mean that we are facing an epidemic. The behavior of adenovirus is being more aggressive in so far this year, the official said, and because of that they want to take preventive measures.
Until that moment, then in 1996 to suspend the studies being ahead in the U.S. and Europe to find a vaccine against this evil, there is an exclusive treatment to treat infected people (see graphic). In moderate or mild patients may cure the symptoms with home remedies fever and malaise, but in severe cases is necessary to resort to hospitalization. The important thing, according to the Colombian Society of Pediatrics, is not self-medicate or provide antibiotics to children without medical prescription.
Although authorities in the country only learn of new cases of adenovirus in Bogota, Zambrano does not rule on behalf of the temperature changes may occur in different regions of the country. In fact, these days there have been more infections of the H1N1 virus, retrovirus or seasonal influences.
Add to this the alert that generated the exposure of about 500 Venezuelans to cholera, of which 252 have been treated for symptoms of the disease and 28 were hospitalized. Juan Gonzalo Lopez, director of the National Institute of Health, explained that because this was intensified in our country the acute diarrheal disease surveillance, especially in the departments of the Caribbean coast and the border with Venezuela.
Although so far neither the threat of cholera or the adenovirus have generated large-scale consequences, after what happened with the H1N1 virus, health authorities and Colombian want to be prepared to prevent an epidemic.
"We will not trigger panic"
Given the anxiety that has been generated in the capital following adenovirus epidemiological alert declaring the District Department of Health, responsible for this portfolio, Hector Zambrano, sent a hand of peace to the citizens and explained that it is a preventive measure and that the intention is not to create panic.
The official said that this decision was taken yesterday morning after evaluating the Epidemiological Surveillance Committee increased the registration of new cases of adenovirus in the city. "What we want is to act responsibly, that the public is informed and thus able to take appropriate measures to prevent spread of the virus. Also, this is a call to physicians and organizations providing health services. "
Zambrano said that babies and children are most vulnerable, so parents should be alert to any symptoms of respiratory infection, persistent fever, loss of appetite or excessive decay. "It is a virus that develops aggressively and can cause both acute respiratory infection as a gastrointestinal condition which is very harmful to minors."
However, to avoid congestion in the emergency rooms of hospitals, as when the alert was declared by the H1N1 virus, it is recommended to act with restraint, increase hygiene habits in children and seek immediate attention only in cases of a respiratory end
