Mapping Eastern (EEE) and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitides (VEE) among Equines Using Geographical Information Systems, Colombia, 2008-2019.
Abstract: Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) viruses are zoonotic pathogens affecting humans, particularly equines. These neuroarboviruses compromise the central nervous system and can be fatal in different hosts. Both have significantly influenced Colombia; however, few studies analyse its behaviour, and none develop maps using geographic information systems to characterise it. To describe the temporal-spatial distribution of those viruses in Colombia between 2008 and 2019. Retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study, based on weekly reports by municipalities of the ICA, of the surveillance of both arboviruses in equines, in Colombia, from 2008 to 2019. The data were converted into databases in Microsoft Access 365, and multiple epidemiological maps were generated with the Kosmo RC13.0 software coupled to shape files of all municipalities in the country. In the study period, 96 cases of EEE and 70 of VEE were reported, with 58% of EEE cases occurring in 2016 and 20% of EEV cases in 2013. The most affected municipalities for EEE corresponded to the department of Casanare: Yopal (20), Aguazul (16), and Tauramena (10). In total, 40 municipalities in the country reported ≥1 case of EEE. The maps allow a quick appreciation of groups of neighbouring municipalities in different departments (1° political division) and regions of the country affected by those viruses, which helps consider the expansion of the disease associated with mobility and transport of equines between other municipalities, also including international borders, such as is the case with Venezuela. In that country, especially for EEV, municipalities in the department of Cesar are bordering and at risk for that arboviral infection. there is a high risk of equine encephalitis outbreaks, especially for VEE. This poses a risk also, for municipalities in the department of Cesar, bordering with Venezuela.
Publication Date: 2023-03-08 PubMed ID: 36992416PubMed Central: PMC10056775DOI: 10.3390/v15030707Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Alphavirus
- Arboviruses
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Transmission
- Encephalitis
- Encephalomyelitis
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Geographical Differences
- Horses
- Mosquito-borne Diseases
- Public Health
- Retrospective Study
- Vector-borne disease
- Veterinary Science
- Zoonotic Diseases
Summary
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The research investigates the geographical distribution and incidence of Eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses in Colombia from 2008 to 2019, using geographical information systems for mapping. Both these neuroarboviruses, primarily affecting equines, have had a significant impact on Colombia and understanding their spatial-temporal distribution can help in managing disease spread.
Study Design and Methodology
- The research is a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study, carried out over a period of 11 years from 2008 to 2019.
- It analyses weekly reports from all municipalities of the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), specifically relating to surveillance of the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) among equines.
- Data from these reports were converted into databases using Microsoft Access 365 for further analysis.
- Epidemiological maps of both diseases’ prevalence were then created using Geographical Information Systems software Kosmo RC13.0, linked to shape files of all Colombian municipalities.
Results and Findings
- During the study period, 96 cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and 70 of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) were reported.
- More than half (58%) of the EEE cases occurred in 2016, while one-fifth (20%) of VEE cases happened in 2013.
- The department of Casanare, with municipalities Yopal (20 cases), Aguazul (16 cases), and Tauramena (10 cases), recorded the highest incidence of EEE.
- In total, 40 municipalities in the country reported at least one case of EEE during the period under study.
Implementation of the Research and Conclusion
- These epidemiological maps provide a quick overview of the spatial distribution and prevalence of EEE and VEE in different municipalities, departments, and regions of Colombia.
- The maps reveal clusters of affected localities, helping researchers consider the potential role of equine movement and transportation – within Colombia and across international borders – in spreading the viruses.
- The research also underscores the risk for municipalities in the department of Cesar, bordering Venezuela, as they are potentially vulnerable to equine encephalitis outbreaks, especially VEE.
Cite This Article
APA
Bonilla-Aldana DK, Bonilla Carvajal CD, Moreno-Ramos E, Barboza JJ, Rodriguez-Morales AJ.
(2023).
Mapping Eastern (EEE) and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitides (VEE) among Equines Using Geographical Information Systems, Colombia, 2008-2019.
Viruses, 15(3), 707.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v15030707 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research Unit, Universidad Continental, Huancayo 12000, Peru.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas, Pereira 660003, Colombia.
- Faculties of Veterinary Medicina and Medicine, Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira 660003, Colombia.
- Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima 13008, Peru.
- Vicerrectorado de Investigacion, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru.
- Faculties of Veterinary Medicina and Medicine, Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira 660003, Colombia.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima 15067, Peru.
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas, Pereira 660003, Colombia.
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102, Lebanon.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colombia / epidemiology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine
- Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / epidemiology
- Geographic Information Systems
- Horses / virology
- Retrospective Studies
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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