Low vaccine coverage and varicella outbreaks in Brazil - 2019-2022.

The persistence of varicella outbreaks in Brazil has underscored the high concern with the low vaccine coverage in the last 4 years. Using publicly available data from the Brazilian Health System (SUS), this study analyzed varicella vaccine coverage and incidence trends from 2019 to 2022 in Brazilian States. Vaccine coverage decreased nationally in 2020, possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic's initial phase. In Bahia State, we have the persistence of varicella with an incidence rate of 3.0 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (higher incidence compared to other States) in 2023. Under 15 months children and young children (4-6 Years old) faced the highest risk, urging the importance of vaccination. Despite a monovalent varicella vaccine being available through Brazil's National Immunization Program (NIP), Bahia fell short of achieving the ≥95 % disease control target for coverage. The study highlight the importance of vaccines to prevent some infectious diseases, as varicella, in poor tropical regions. Addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, and augmenting awareness campaigns, are important to achieve and sustain high vaccine coverage over 80% as WHO guidelines to obtain a safe rate of protection for Brazilian population (Brazil's national immunization program has a target of 95% coverage).

Epidemiological profile and genetic resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in women in a poor region of São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection in the urogenital tract, transmitted by sexual or perinatal contact, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a gram-negative diplococcus. The present study evaluates the frequency of N. gonorrhoeae in women treated at Hospital Wladimir Arruda in poor area of São Paulo and also verifies the presence of genetic resistance against three antimicrobials of different classes: Tetracycline, Azithromycin and Ciprofloxacin. METHODS: This is an observational and descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Samples were collected at Hospital Escola Wladimir Arruda. The volunteers are women from 16 to 65 years of age. Sociodemographic, gynecological, sexual and health data are collected through a questionnaire, their symptoms/clinical manifestation were requested by the medical records, and then the participant is referred for collection of samples of cervical vaginal smear. The samples were screened for N. gonorrhoeae (dcmH gene) and tested for resistance genes to Tetracycline, Azithromycin and Ciprofloxacin through PCR. RESULTS: In the total of 127 samples analyzed by Real-Time PCR, 23 were positive and correspond to a general prevalence of a gonococcal infection in the studied population of 17% (CI:95%), and the participants were married (43.4%), had active sexual life (56.5%) and did not use any type of condom during sexual intercourse (52.1%). The resistance to the tetM ribosomal gene was found in 14 samples, prevalence of 60% (CI= 95%). CONCLUSIONS: We have described a concerning frequency of N. gonorrhoeae infection in females attended in an outcare patient. Also, most of the strains detected presented resistance to one or more antimicrobials.

Dengue and climate changes: Increase of DENV-1 in São Paulo/Brazil - 2023.

Dengue is a vector borne disease caused by virus serotypes DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4, representing a significant public health concern in the Region of the Americas (2,997,097 cases in 2023). This study explores the relationship between dengue incidence and climate changes in the city of São Paulo-Brazil. During the first semester of 2023, Brazil reported the highest number of dengue cases in Americas' Region. Our data reveals a correlation between the high temperature and rainfall season persistence and the extension of dengue incidence into the winter season. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the relationship between climate change and disease transmission patterns to develop effective strategies for prevention and control.

Fake news and covid-19: a concern due to the low vaccine coverage in Brazil / Fake News e covid-19: uma preocupação devido à baixa cobertura de vacinação no Brasil

Abstract This study comprised the application of a survey in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2 different periods of 2020: the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic and the disease's first peak (from March to April, 100 interviews) to the time of stability in case fatality rates (from May to July, 100 interviews); the questionnaire included was composed of 14 multiple-choice questions to evaluate the importance of mass communication channels, including social media, and the level of importance attributed to preventive measures at the beginning of the pandemic. The changes in people's behavior, even in a group with more schooling, which initially considered preventive measures to be very important (91%) but, in the second survey, was reduced to 82%. The reinforcement of preventive measures to reduce cases and deaths by covid-19 in Brazil is urgent, allied to recommendations with clear information on the importance of vaccination to avoid low rates as the current situation of vaccine coverage for preventable diseases.

Resumo Foi conduzida uma pesquisa em São Paulo, no Brasil, em 2 períodos distintos de 2020: sendo o primeiro no início da pandemia do covid-19 com um elevado pico de incidência da doença (de março a abril, foram realizadas 100 entrevistas) até o momento de estabilidade nas taxas de letalidade (de maio a julho, foram realizadas outras 100 entrevistas), composto por 14 questões de múltipla escolha para avaliar a importância dos canais de comunicação em massa (incluindo as redes sociais) e o nível de importância atribuído às medidas preventivas no início da pandemia. As mudanças no comportamento das pessoas, mesmo dentro de um grupo de nível educacional alto, que inicialmente considerava as medidas preventivas muito importantes (91%), apresenta considerável queda na segunda pesquisa realizada (redução para 82%). Há a necessidade urgente de reforço de medidas preventivas para redução de casos e óbitos por covid-19 no Brasil, aliadas a recomendações com informações claras como a importância da vacinação para evitar baixas taxas de cobertura vacinal que se apresentam em outras doenças preveníveis por vacinas.

Reemergence of mumps in São Paulo, Brazil - the urgent need for booster shot campaign to prevent a serious infectious disease.

INTRODUCTION:: Neglected infectious diseases like mumps may be opportunistic in controlled areas with low vaccine coverage, particularly in developed and emerging countries. METHODS:: A retrospective analysis of mumps-related data from 2001 to 2016 for São Paulo State, Brazil was conducted. RESULTS:: From 2014 to 2015, there was an increase of 82% in reported mumps cases in São Paulo, with prevalence of n=49 and 297, respectively in young adults aged 15-29 years. CONCLUSIONS:: A booster-shot campaign on MMR vaccination is recommended to prevent the spread of mumps in unvaccinated children and recipients of only the first dose.

Reemergence of mumps in São Paulo, Brazil - the urgent need for booster shot campaign to prevent a serious infectious disease

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Neglected infectious diseases like mumps may be opportunistic in controlled areas with low vaccine coverage, particularly in developed and emerging countries. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of mumps-related data from 2001 to 2016 for São Paulo State, Brazil was conducted. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2015, there was an increase of 82% in reported mumps cases in São Paulo, with prevalence of n=49 and 297, respectively in young adults aged 15-29 years. CONCLUSIONS: A booster-shot campaign on MMR vaccination is recommended to prevent the spread of mumps in unvaccinated children and recipients of only the first dose.