Zika vírus no Nordeste do Brasil: retrospectiva para uma pesquisa / Zika virus in Northeast Brazil: retrospective for research

Resumo O artigo trata das impressões compartilhadas de pesquisadores e sua experiência no trabalho de campo no Nordeste do Brasil, no âmbito do projeto Promoção da saúde no contexto da epidemia de zika: atores e cenários nos processos de tomada de decisão (FIOCRUZ/ZIKAlliance). Aqui procuramos compartilhar impressões de campo sobre uma pesquisa acerca da epidemia de Zika vírus, em dois municípios situados em diferentes localidades do Nordeste. Evidenciamos a importância do caderno de campo na pesquisa qualitativa e tecemos reflexões acerca dos resultados das entrevistas realizadas com mulheres em idade reprodutiva, gestantes, profissionais de saúde, mães e pais de crianças acometidas por microcefalia e trabalhadores autônomos. A partir dos depoimentos, foi possível observar aproximações, identificações e estranhamentos dos sujeitos de pesquisa com os pesquisadores, constituindo importante termômetro para nossa percepção do campo e das possibilidades de produção de conhecimento científico sobre a epidemia do Zika no Nordeste do Brasil.

Abstract O artigo trata das impressões compartilhadas de pesquisadores e sua experiência no trabalho de campo no Nordeste do Brasil, no âmbito do projeto Promoção da saúde no contexto da epidemia de zika: atores e cenários nos processos de tomada de decisão (FIOCRUZ/ZIKAlliance). Aqui procuramos compartilhar impressões de campo sobre uma pesquisa acerca da epidemia de Zika vírus, em dois municípios situados em diferentes localidades do Nordeste. Evidenciamos a importância do caderno de campo na pesquisa qualitativa e tecemos reflexões acerca dos resultados das entrevistas realizadas com mulheres em idade reprodutiva, gestantes, profissionais de saúde, mães e pais de crianças acometidas por microcefalia e trabalhadores autônomos. A partir dos depoimentos, foi possível observar aproximações, identificações e estranhamentos dos sujeitos de pesquisa com os pesquisadores, constituindo importante termômetro para nossa percepção do campo e das possibilidades de produção de conhecimento científico sobre a epidemia do Zika no Nordeste do Brasil.Abstract: This article deals with the shared impressions of researchers and their experience in fieldwork in Northeast Brazil, within the project's scope: Health promotion in the context of the Zika epidemic: actors and scenarios in decision-making processes (FIOCRUZ/ZIKAlliance). Here, we seek to share field impressions of research on the Zika Virus in two municipalities located in different locations in the Northeast. We highlight the importance of the field notebook in qualitative research and reflect on the results of interviews conducted with women of reproductive age, pregnant women, health professionals, mothers and fathers of children affected by microcephaly, and self-employed workers. From the testimonies, it was possible to observe similarities, identifications, and estrangements between the research subjects and the researchers, constituting a vital thermometer for our perception of the field and the possibilities of producing scientific knowledge about the Zika epidemic in Northeastern Brazil.

Rapid spread of an ongoing outbreak of Zika virus disease in pregnant women in a Mexican hospital

Abstract In the first nine weeks of implementation of a Zika Virus Preparedness Plan in a Mexican Public Hospital, we cared for 221 pregnant women with any signal or symptom suggesting Zika virus infection and 99 (44.8%) patients were found to be positive for Zika virus.The median age of patients was 25.3 years (range 13-49). Symptoms in PCR-positive patients were rash (91.4%) followed by headache (53.1%), myalgia (46.9%), arthralgia (45.7%), pruritus (35.8%), retroocular pain (29.6%), conjunctivitis (21%), and fever (21%). The women's epidemiologic exposure history indicates local transmission and a community outbreak.

Rapid spread of an ongoing outbreak of Zika virus disease in pregnant women in a Mexican hospital.

In the first nine weeks of implementation of a Zika Virus Preparedness Plan in a Mexican Public Hospital, we cared for 221 pregnant women with any signal or symptom suggesting Zika virus infection and 99 (44.8%) patients were found to be positive for Zika virus. The median age of patients was 25.3 years (range 13-49). Symptoms in PCR-positive patients were rash (91.4%) followed by headache (53.1%), myalgia (46.9%), arthralgia (45.7%), pruritus (35.8%), retroocular pain (29.6%), conjunctivitis (21%), and fever (21%). The women's epidemiologic exposure history indicates local transmission and a community outbreak.

Real-Time Evolution of Zika Virus Disease Outbreak, Roatán, Honduras.

A Zika virus disease outbreak occurred in Roatán, Honduras, during September 2015-July 2016. Blood samples and clinical information were obtained from 183 patients given a clinical diagnosis of suspected dengue virus infection. A total of 79 patients were positive for Zika virus, 13 for chikungunya virus, and 6 for dengue virus.

Utilizing Nontraditional Data Sources for Near Real-Time Estimation of Transmission Dynamics During the 2015-2016 Colombian Zika Virus Disease Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 40 countries in Central and South America have experienced local vector-born transmission of Zika virus, resulting in nearly 300,000 total reported cases of Zika virus disease to date. Of the cases that have sought care thus far in the region, more than 70,000 have been reported out of Colombia. OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we use nontraditional digital disease surveillance data via HealthMap and Google Trends to develop near real-time estimates for the basic (R) and observed (Robs) reproductive numbers associated with Zika virus disease in Colombia. We then validate our results against traditional health care-based disease surveillance data. METHODS: Cumulative reported case counts of Zika virus disease in Colombia were acquired via the HealthMap digital disease surveillance system. Linear smoothing was conducted to adjust the shape of the HealthMap cumulative case curve using Google search data. Traditional surveillance data on Zika virus disease were obtained from weekly Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) epidemiological bulletin publications. The Incidence Decay and Exponential Adjustment (IDEA) model was used to estimate R0 and Robs for both data sources. RESULTS: Using the digital (smoothed HealthMap) data, we estimated a mean R0 of 2.56 (range 1.42-3.83) and a mean Robs of 1.80 (range 1.42-2.30). The traditional (INS) data yielded a mean R0 of 4.82 (range 2.34-8.32) and a mean Robs of 2.34 (range 1.60-3.31). CONCLUSIONS: Although modeling using the traditional (INS) data yielded higher R estimates than the digital (smoothed HealthMap) data, modeled ranges for Robs were comparable across both data sources. As a result, the narrow range of possible case projections generated by the traditional (INS) data was largely encompassed by the wider range produced by the digital (smoothed HealthMap) data. Thus, in the absence of traditional surveillance data, digital surveillance data can yield similar estimates for key transmission parameters and should be utilized in other Zika virus-affected countries to assess outbreak dynamics in near real time.