MALARIA: NARRATIVE REVIEW

Malaria is a vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that occurs through the bite of a female Anopheles spp mosquito that transmits protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. P. vivax and P. falciparum are the most frequent species. The clinical presentation of the disease is a febrile syndrome accompanied by nonspeci?c symptoms. Diagnosis is based on tests for microscopic detection of the parasite (thick smear, blood smear) or rapid antigen diagnostic tests. Treatment will depend on the infecting species of plasmodium and whether it is a complicated disease. There are multiple tools for prevention such as the use of mosquito nets, repellents, chemoprevention, and vaccination. Various strategies have been proposed for its eradication, considering that it is a public health problem and represents a great burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

SARS-CoV-2 detection among international air travellers to Ghana during mandatory quarantine

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 detection among international travellers to Ghana during mandatory quarantine. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Air travellers to Ghana on 21st and 22nd March 2020. Participants: On 21st and 22nd March 2020, a total of 1,030 returning international travellers were mandatorily quarantined in 15 different hotels in Accra and tested for SARS-CoV-2. All of these persons were included in the study. Main outcome measure: Positivity for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction. Results: The initial testing at the beginning of quarantine found 79 (7.7%) individuals to be positive for SARS-CoV2. In the exit screening after 12 to 13 days of quarantine, it was discovered that 26 of those who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 in the initial screening subsequently tested positive. Conclusions: Ghana likely averted an early community spread of COVID-19 through the proactive approach to quarantine international travellers during the early phase of the pandemic

Entrada de viajeros y densidad poblacional en la propagación de la COVID-19 en Cuba / Arrival of travelers and population density in the spread of COVID-19 in Cuba

Introducción: El comportamiento no homogéneo de la cantidad de casos confirmados con COVID-19 en diferentes regiones de Cuba aún no se ha esclarecido, lo cual resultaría de utilidad para la toma de decisiones en futuras epidemias en el país. Objetivo: Determinar la influencia de la entrada de viajeros y la densidad poblacional sobre la distribución no homogénea de la cantidad de casos con COVID-19 por provincias en Cuba. Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio ecológico, exploratorio, de grupos múltiples, comparando las provincias cubanas según variables del nivel global y agregado, relacionadas con la cantidad de casos con COVID-19, confirmados durante la epidemia en Cuba. Se aplicó el análisis de regresión lineal múltiple para seleccionar el modelo que mejor describe el comportamiento de los datos y el análisis de clúster para visualizar la agrupación de las provincias. Resultados: Se evidenció una correlación significativa entre la cantidad de casos con COVID-19 y la cantidad de viajeros con COVID-19, la cantidad total de viajeros que arribaron al país en marzo y los eventos de trasmisión. En el modelo de regresión resultaron significativas la densidad poblacional y las cantidades de viajeros total y con COVID-19. El análisis de clúster reveló la formación de cuatro grupos de provincias. Conclusiones: La cantidad de casos con COVID-19 por provincia se relaciona con la cantidad de viajeros que entraron al país, con y sin COVID-19, y la densidad poblacional. Se forman cuatro grupos de provincias por su similitud en los aspectos identificados en la regresión(AU)

Introduction: The non-homogeneous behavior of the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in different regions of Cuba has not yet been clarified, which would be useful for decision-making in future epidemics in the country. Objective: To determine the influence of the arrival of travelers and the population density on the non-homogeneous distribution of the number of COVID-19 cases by provinces in Cuba. Methods: An ecological, exploratory, multiple group study was carried out, comparing Cuban provinces according to variables of the global and aggregate levels, related to the number of COVID-19 cases, confirmed during the epidemic in Cuba. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to select the model that best describes the behavior of the data and cluster analysis to visualize the grouping of the provinces. Results: A significant correlation was proved between the number of COVID-19 cases and the number of travelers with COVID-19, the total number of travelers who arrived in Cuba in March, and transmission events. In the regression model, the population density and the total number of travelers and those with COVID-19 were significant. The cluster analysis revealed the formation of four groups of provinces. Conclusions: The number of cases with COVID-19 by province is related to the number of travelers who arrived in the country, with and with no COVID-19, and the population density. Four groups of provinces are formed by their similarity in the aspects identified at regression(AU)

Acute febrile illness: A stepwise approach for clinicians

Acute febrile illness (AFI) is a common clinical problem, and can be due to various causes. AFI without localizing featuresacute undifferentiated febrile illness is a diagnostic challenge. Knowledge about common infections present in that particular area will give a clue to the probable etiology. But because of variety of causes and atypical presentations diagnosis of AFI remains to be a great challenge. In this review we are describing a stepwise approach for the diagnosis and management of AFI which will be useful for the practicing clinicians

Risk of symptomatic dengue for foreign visitors to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

Brazil will host the FIFA World Cup™, the biggest single-event competition in the world, from June 12-July 13 2014 in 12 cities. This event will draw an estimated 600,000 international visitors. Brazil is endemic for dengue. Hence, attendees of the 2014 event are theoretically at risk for dengue. We calculated the risk of dengue acquisition to non-immune international travellers to Brazil, depending on the football match schedules, considering locations and dates of such matches for June and July 2014. We estimated the average per-capita risk and expected number of dengue cases for each host-city and each game schedule chosen based on reported dengue cases to the Brazilian Ministry of Health for the period between 2010-2013. On the average, the expected number of cases among the 600,000 foreigner tourists during the World Cup is 33, varying from 3-59. Such risk estimates will not only benefit individual travellers for adequate pre-travel preparations, but also provide valuable information for public health professionals and policy makers worldwide. Furthermore, estimates of dengue cases in international travellers during the World Cup can help to anticipate the theoretical risk for exportation of dengue into currently non-infected areas.

Primer Centro de Medicina del Viajero en un hospital público de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina: Dos años de experiencia / First Travel Medicine Center in a public hospital from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina Republic: The first 2 years of experience

Introduction: Although Buenos Aires is the biggest province in Argentina, there was no program for Travel Medicine in any public hospital until 2008, when the Travel Medicine Center (CEMEVI) was established in our hospital. Objective: To analyze the first 24 months of experience in the CEMEVI. Results: A total of 278 travelers were assisted. Most of them consulted before traveling (pre-travel visits). The most common destinations were countries in South America and urban as well as rural areas. Travelling to malaria and yellow fever endemic countries represented 35% and 16% of the total of destinations, respectively. Only 4% were post-travel interviews. Conclusion: It is feasible and frutful to implement a Travel Medicine Center in the public health system.

Introducción: La Provincia de Buenos Aires, a pesar de ser la mayor de nuestro país, no contaba con ningún sitio de asesoramiento al viajero instalado en un hospital público, hasta que en el año 2008 se crea el Centro de Medicina del Viajero (CEMEVI) en nuestro hospital. Objetivo: analizar de manera retrospectiva los primeros 24 meses de experiencia en el CEMEVI. Resultados: Recibimos un total de 278 consultas, la mayoría durante el pre-viaje, a países de América del Sur, a sitios urbanos- rurales, de los cuales 35 y 16% de los viajeros visitaron zonas de riesgo para malaria y fiebre amarilla, respectivamente. Sólo 4% de las consultas fueron en el post-viaje. Conclusión: Es posible y fructífero implementar un Centro de Medicina del Viajero en el sector público de salud.

Viajeros a América del Sur / Travellers to South America

The geography, tourist attractions and the multiple sites of historical and cultural interest make South America as an important destination chosen by travelers. The continent has a wide climatic variation from north to south, making exposure to risk different between the tropics and the temperate or cold regions. In the countries of tropical South America, the greatest risk is associated with the possibility of acquiring vector-borne diseases, like yellow fever, dengue, malaria and leishmaniasis. The risk of acquiring traveler's diarrhea and food-borne illness is similar across the continent, with some variations according to country and to visit urban or rural areas. Rabies, pertussis and diphtheria have appeared as epidemics in several countries and other diseases such as rickettsiosis, hantavirosis and viral encephalitis have expanded their distribution. The geographic and epidemiological diversity of South America, promotes a challenge for travel medicine specialists because during the pre-travel advice they have to take in account the kind of trip, traveller's medical history, exposure to risk and the dynamics of endemic emerging and reemerging diseases in the region.

La variable geografía, los atractivos turísticos y los múltiples sitios de interés histórico cultural, hacen que América del Sur sea un destino elegido por los viajeros. El continente tiene una amplia variación climática de norte a sur, lo que hace que la exposición al riesgo sea diferente entre las regiones tropicales y las templadas o frías. En los países que conforman América del Sur tropical, el mayor riesgo se asocia a la posibilidad de adquirir enfermedades de transmisión vectorial como fiebre amarilla, dengue, paludismo y leishmaniasis entre otras. El riesgo de adquirir diarrea del viajero y enfermedades de transmisión por alimentos es similar en todo el continente, con algunas variaciones de acuerdo al país y si se visitan áreas urbanas o rurales. Rabia, coqueluche y difteria han aparecido en forma epidémica en varios países y otras enfermedades como rickettsiosis, hantavirosis y encefalitis virales han ampliado su distribución. La diversidad geográfica y epidemiológica de América del Sur, plantea un importante desafío para los especialistas en Medicina del Viajero, ya que para asesorar adecuadamente a los viajeros al continente, hay que considerar no sólo el tipo de viaje, sino también los antecedentes personales, la exposición al riesgo y la dinámica de las enfermedades endémicas, emergentes y reemergentes en la región.

Evaluación del Programa de Control Sanitario Internacional en el Policlínico "Nguyen Van Troi" de Centro Habana, La Habana, 2007 / Evaluation of the International Health Control in the "Nguyen Van Troi" polyclinic of Centro Habana municipality, La Habana, 2007

INTRODUCCIÓN: En 1962 se estructuró un Programa de Control Sanitario Internacional para puertos y aeropuertos, y en 1980 se puso en vigor el primer Programa Nacional de Control Sanitario Internacional que preveía acciones de control a realizar por una parte de la red de servicios de salud y que sirvió de base para ser modificado en 1985, cuando se extendió la vigilancia a toda la red de atención médica primaria y secundaria del país, con la incorporación de los primeros médicos de familia al programa. OBJETIVO: Evaluar el programa de Control Sanitario Internacional en el Policlínico "Nguyen Van Troi" durante el segundo semestre del año 2007, en cuanto a estructura, proceso y resultados. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio evaluativo de tipo descriptivo. El universo estuvo constituido por el personal que participó en el Programa de Control Sanitario Internacional. Se tomó una muestra por conveniencia del 50 por ciento de los consultorios tipo 1, donde se revisó el 10 por ciento de las historias clínicas de los viajeros. RESULTADOS: En la evaluación de la estructura, el 52,9 por ciento encontró aceptable el funcionamiento del programa. La evaluación del proceso es de no aceptable porque no son satisfactorios los criterios esenciales, ni tampoco el 50 por ciento restante. Los criterios de resultados fueron satisfactorios porque durante el año no se reportaron casos de dengue ni de paludismo introducidos. CONCLUSIONES: La dimensión estructura resulta insuficiente y el proceso no aceptable, por lo que podemos plantear que el Programa de Control Sanitario Internacional en el área evaluada durante el 2008 resultó No satisfactorio.

INTRODUCTION: In 1962 The International Health Control Program was structured for ports and airports and in 1980 took effect the first National Health Control Program to plan actions of control to be carried out by a part of the health services network and was the base for its modification in 1985 when this type of surveillance was widen to all the primary and secondary medical care network of our country, with the incorporation of the first family physician into program. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the International Health Control Program in "Nguyen Van Troi" clinic area during the second semester of 2007 related to structure, process and results. RESULTS: An evaluative and descriptive study was conducted. Universe included the staff involved in the International Health Control Program. By convenience a sample of 50 percent of type 1 consulting room was taken, where the 10 percent of medical records of travellers was reviewed. In the evaluation of structure, the 52,9 percent considered as acceptable the program' functioning. The evaluation of process is not acceptable due the non satisfactory of the essential criteria, neither the remainder 50 percent. The criteria of results were satisfactory due to throughout the year there were not reports of introduced cases of dengue or malaria. CONCLUSIONS: The structure's dimension was insufficient and the process was not stable, thus, it impossible to propose that the International Health Control Program in the evaluated area during 2008 be non-satisfactory.