ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Ethion is an organophosphate used as an acaricide and insecticide, that is restricted worldwide. In Colombia, pesticide poisoning is the third most common cause of chemical intoxication. On 9 October 2022, an outbreak of ethion poisoning occurred in Pereira. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the outbreak. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of an outbreak of organophosphate poisoning. The onset of symptoms occurred on 9 October 2022, following the consumption of empanadas. Information was collected on sociodemographic characteristics and clinical manifestations, as well as from paraclinical examinations. Data were obtained from clinical histories, field epidemiological investigations, and inspection visits. Food samples were collected for analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Attack rates, proportions, and measures of central tendency, dispersion, and position were calculated. RESULTS: The case definition was met by 37 individuals with a median age of 30 years; all presented with muscarinic symptoms, 29 patients presented with nicotinic symptoms, and 20 patients presented with neurological symptoms. Males were the most affected (57%), and the most common time of symptom onset was 10:00 am. Twenty-three patients (62%) required intensive care unit admission, of whom 14 (38%) required mechanical ventilation. No deaths were reported. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity was reduced in all patients. Ethion was detected in mass-prepared maize and empanadas at concentrations greater than 0.1 mg/kg. The consumption of empanadas was identified as the common source. DISCUSSION: In Colombia, pesticide poisonings are the third most common type of poisoning caused by chemical substances reported to the National Health Institute through the National Public Health Surveillance System. In the present outbreak, ethion was in empanadas, likely due to contamination of cooking oil. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a large ethion-contaminated food poisoning outbreak reported in Colombia. The main symptoms were muscarinic, and the main treatment measures employed were atropine and respiratory support. Increased awareness of pesticide poisoning and training for food handlers are needed.
ABSTRACT
Objetivo: realizar la investigación y contención de brote de rabia animal en el perímetro del foco del caso índice del municipio de Anapoima. Métodos: estudio de investigación de brote con intervención del foco de índole retrospectivo, a partir de la confirmación del caso por laboratorio el 26 de abril de 2019. El equipo de respuesta inmediata departamental (conformado por tres médicos veterinarios, dos epidemiólogos y una enfermera), fue activado y desarrolló acciones en la zona de foco definido en 5 km alrededor de la vivienda del caso índice (vereda Panamá, sector Gallinazos, finca La Esmeralda del municipio de Anapoima). Tanto la población humana como la de gatos y perros de la zona fueron caracterizadas, se determinan factores de riesgo, se controló la población animal con vacunación y gestión del riesgo. Resultados: fueron visitadas 26 veredas que correspondieron al total del foco con 3.185 viviendas y se censaron 3.489 personas, de las cuales el 47% eran de sexo femenino y el 53% de sexo masculino. La cobertura de vacunación canina para control en el foco fue de 88% y la felina del 83%. Conclusiones: se confirma rabia en su ciclo silvestre en el departamento de Cundinamarca, con transmisión de animal silvestre a animal doméstico, con alto riesgo de transmisión a los humanos.
Objective: conduct the research and containment of the animal rabies outbreak in the focus perimeter of the index case in the municipality of Anapoima. Methods: outbreak investigation study with retrospective focus intervention, starting with laboratory confirmation of the case on April 26, 2019. The departmental immediate response team (made up of three veterinarians, two epidemiologists, and a nurse) was activated and carried out actions in the focus area defined as 5 km surrounding the dwelling of the index case (Panama township, Gallinazos sector, La Esmeralda farm, municipality of Anapoima). Both the human population, cats and dogs in the area were characterized. Risk factors were determined, the animal population was controlled with vaccination and risk management. Results: 26 townships were visited which corresponded to the total of the focus point with 3,185 dwellings. 3,489 people underwent a census, of which 47% were female, and 53% were male. The canine vaccine coverage to exercise control in the focus area was 88% with 83% for feline vaccination. Conclusions: rabies was confirmed in the forest cycle in the department of Cundinamarca, with transmission from forest animals to domestic animals, with a high risk of transmission to humans.
Objetivo: realizar a pesquisa e contenção do surto de raiva animal no perímetro do foco do caso índice no município de Anapoima. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo de pesquisa de surto com intervenção focal, baseado na confirmação laboratorial do caso em 26 de abril de 2019. A equipe departamental de resposta imediata (composta por: três veterinários, dois epidemiologistas e uma enfermeira), foi acionada e realizou ações na zona foco definida em 5 km ao redor da casa do caso índice (aldeia Panamá, setor Gallinazos, fazenda La Esmeralda do município de Anapoima). População humana, gatos e cães da área foram caracterizados, determinaram-se os fatores de risco, a população animal foi controlada com vacinação e gestão de risco. Resultados: foram visitadas 26 aldeias que correspondiam ao total do foco com 3.185 domicílios e 3.489 pessoas cadastradas, sendo 47% do sexo feminino e 53% do sexo masculino. A cobertura da vacinação canina para controle no foco foi de 88% e felina 83%. Conclusão: a raiva no seu ciclo silvestre é confirmada no departamento de Cundinamarca, com transmissão de animais silvestres para animais domésticos, com alto risco de transmissão para humanos.