The Ministry of Health of the province of Buenos Aires confirmed that one person died from equine encephalitis, being the second death recorded until this week.
“The second death corresponds to a 65-year-old patient with a history of carrying out activities in a rural area, without comorbidities, who began with symptoms on 1/1 and died on 1/12,” they stated in the Epidemiological Bulletin.
As of January 18, 15 cases had been confirmed and there are 8 probable, according to the Bulletin. These cases are distributed in different municipalities, including Junín, in addition to General Viamonte, Leandro N. Alem, Nueve de Julio, Arrecifes, Baradero, Pergamino, Ramallo, Salto, Las Flores, Campana, Exaltación de la Cruz, Tandil, May 25, Bragado, Suipacha and La Plata.
This virus can affect humans and does not require any type of mutation, it only requires that it be transmitted by a mosquito that has bitten a sick horse.
The Epidemiological Bulletin also detailed that the fatal victims resided in health regions V and XI, corresponding to Campana and Exaltación de la Cruz, and La Plata, respectively. Both patients started symptoms on specific dates in December and January, and lived in rural areas; one of them had comorbidities.
Western equine encephalitis is a disease transmitted mainly by infected mosquitoes.
Although its main impact is seen in horses, the disease can also affect humans. The incubation period in people varies from two to ten days, and although in most cases the infection is asymptomatic, in some it can manifest with fever, fatigue, muscle pain and general malaise.
Faced with this scenario, the Buenos Aires health authorities have implemented territorial operations that include fumigation of affected areas, the active search for symptomatic cases and the dissemination of preventive measures. These actions seek to control the spread of the virus and protect the population from possible infections.
Territorial operations not only focus on fumigation, but also on raising awareness and actively searching for people with symptoms. These measures aim to reduce the presence of the transmitting mosquito in georeferenced areas with confirmed cases, as well as raise awareness in the identification of possible infections.
The resolution established that each horse will have to have a vaccination certificate in order to prove the vaccine
PREVENTION
“As of January 18, 2024, 770 positive outbreaks of western equine encephalitis in horses were reported in the PBA, of which 757 outbreaks were confirmed by clinical criteria and 13 by laboratory,” they noted from the Health area.
As for humans, the health portfolio stated: “The positive cases to date are distributed in Buenos Aires (19), Entre Ríos (1), Santa Fe (10) and Santiago del Estero (1). All cases required hospitalization and 3 deaths were recorded, 1 in Santa Fe and 2 in the Province of Buenos Aires.”
The Buenos Aires Ministry of Health also issued recommendations to the population to prevent the disease. First of all, he advised the periodic use of insect repellent, the installation of fabrics or mosquito nets on doors and windows, the use of light clothing and repellent coils in outdoor spaces. In addition, the ministry highlighted the importance of weeding green areas, avoiding the accumulation of water and removing or protecting containers and objects that can become mosquito breeding grounds.
Since November, in Argentina, we hear more and more about this disease. It is a viral infection that mainly affects horses, mares and donkeys.
“Equine encephalitides are viral infections, transmitted by different species of mosquitoes. The Eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis or encephalomyelitis viruses are distributed in North, Central and South America. In Argentina they are exotic diseases. It affects mammals, particularly the equine breed (horses), and occasionally humans, in whom it can cause serious and potentially fatal disease, characterized by encephalitis.
The Buenos Aires Ministry of Health also issued recommendations to the population to prevent the disease
MANDATORY VACCINATION
This week, the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) established mandatory vaccination against Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis for all horses that are at least two months old, within the framework of the health emergency due to the disease. established by Resolution 1219/2023.
The measure, which is contemplated in Senasa Resolution 115/2024 published last Wednesday, January 24 in the Official Gazette, determines that all horses must have the current vaccine and that those that have not received the first dose of the vaccine vaccination, they must do so within a period of ten days after the standard is published.
Likewise, the new regulations establish that each horse must have a vaccination certificate in order to accredit the vaccine, which must be issued with the signature and seal of a registered veterinarian acting individually or through a health entity registered with Senasa. . In addition, the certificate will have to express the data of interest that identifies the animal involved and the information on the vaccine applied.
With respect to the inoculation conditions, a booster booster must be implemented in the stipulated periods in the first vaccinated, according to the prescription of the manufacturing laboratory. Once the primary vaccination and booster schedule is completed, revaccination is carried out annually.
It should be noted that this new measure aims to avoid the negative effects of the virus, preserving animal welfare and minimizing productive losses for the sector involved.
This new measure aims to avoid the negative effects of the virus, preserving animal welfare
To date, a total of 1,311 positive outbreaks have been confirmed, accounting for 43 by laboratory diagnosis and 1,268 by clinical diagnosis (symptoms and epidemiological link). Likewise, the provinces where the outbreaks were recorded, to date, are Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Corrientes, Córdoba, Santa Fe, San Luis, La Pampa, Entre Ríos, Formosa, Santiago del Estero, Río Negro, Salta, La Rioja and Mendoza.
2024-02-02 05:18:01
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