COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2: A test-negative design study based on Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) sentinel surveillance in Spain.

BACKGROUND: With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, influenza surveillance systems in Spain were transformed into a new syndromic sentinel surveillance system. The Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA in Spanish) is based on a sentinel network for acute respiratory infection (ARI) surveillance in primary care and a network of sentinel hospitals for severe ARI (SARI) surveillance in hospitals. METHODS: Using a test-negative design and data from SARI admissions notified to SiVIRA between January 1 and October 3, 2021, we estimated COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalization, by age group, vaccine type, time since vaccination, and SARS-CoV-2 variant. RESULTS: VE was 89% (95% CI: 83-93) against COVID-19 hospitalization overall in persons aged 20 years and older. VE was higher for mRNA vaccines, and lower for those aged 80 years and older, with a decrease in protection beyond 3 months of completing vaccination, and a further decrease after 5 months. We found no differences between periods with circulation of Alpha or Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants, although variant-specific VE was slightly higher against Alpha. CONCLUSIONS: The SiVIRA sentinel hospital surveillance network in Spain was able to describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SARI hospitalizations and provide estimates of COVID-19 VE in the population under surveillance. Our estimates add to evidence of high effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against severe COVID-19 and waning of protection with time since vaccination in those aged 80 or older. No substantial differences were observed between SARS-CoV-2 variants (Alpha vs. Delta).

[Trichinellosis outbreaks in Aragón (1998-2017)]. / Brotes epidémicos de triquinosis ocurridos en Aragón durante el periodo 1998 ­ 2017.

OBJECTIVE: In Aragon, official veterinary controls to detect the presence of Trichinella in meat products have allowed trichinosis to be a low-incidence disease in the form of outbreaks associated with family consumption of meat products that are not sanitarily controlled. The aim of the work was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of the trichinosis outbreaks that occurred in Aragon during the study period and the action measures carried out, which served as a basis for redesigning and strengthening prevention and control measures. METHODS: Descriptive study of the characteristics of time, place, person, food implicated, etiological agent and control measures implemented in the outbreaks identified by the Epidemiological Surveillance Network of Aragón from 01/01/1998 to 31/12/2017. For the descriptive analysis, the mean with its standard deviation and proportions were calculated. RESULTS: During the study period (from 01/01/1998 until 31/12/2017) there were 7 family outbreaks with 294 exposed, 103 cases (Attack Rate 35%), of which 29 were hospitalized (28.1%). The case fatality rate was 1%. The average age of the cases was 43.3 years (standard deviation 15.9). 70.8% of the cases were male. Outbreaks were concentrated between December and May. Five outbreaks originated after consumption of wild boar. The etiological agent identified in meat and/or biological samples from the cases was Trichinella spiralis in four outbreaks and Trichinella britovi in two other outbreaks, while the agent could not be identified in one outbreak. In all outbreaks, actions were carried out in accordance with the recommendations established by the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE). CONCLUSIONS: Trichinosis in Aragon takes the form of sporadic family outbreaks coinciding with the time of wild boar hunting and home slaughtering of pigs and is associated with the consumption of meat products not controlled sanitarily, so it is necessary to strengthen health education and intersectoral collaboration in the development and implementation of prevention and control strategies.

OBJETIVO: En Aragón, los controles oficiales veterinarios para detectar la presencia de triquina en productos cárnicos, han permitido que la triquinosis sea una enfermedad de baja incidencia, que se presenta en forma de brotes, asociados al consumo familiar de productos cárnicos no controlados sanitariamente. El objetivo del trabajo fue describir las características epidemiológicas de los brotes de triquinosis ocurridos en Aragón durante el periodo de estudio y las medidas de actuación llevadas a cabo, lo que sirvió de base para rediseñar y fortalecer las medidas de prevención y control. METODOS: Estudio descriptivo de las características tiempo, lugar, persona, alimentos implicados, agente etiológico y medidas de control implementadas en los brotes identificados por la Red de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de Aragón desde el 01/01/1998 al 31/12/2017. Para el análisis descriptivo se calcularon la media con su desviación estándar y las proporciones. RESULTADOS: Durante el periodo de estudio (desde el 01/01/1998 hasta el 31/12/2017) se declararon 7 brotes familiares con 294 expuestos, 103 casos (Tasa de Ataque 35%), de los que 29 fueron hospitalizados (28,1%). La tasa de letalidad fue del 1%. La media de edad de los casos fue de 43,3 años (desviación típica 15,9). El 70,8% de los casos fueron varones. Los brotes se concentraron entre diciembre y mayo. Cinco brotes se originaron tras el consumo de jabalí. El agente etiológico aislado en muestras cárnicas y/o muestras biológicas procedentes de los casos, fue Trichinella spiralis en cuatro brotes y Trichinella britovi en otros dos brotes. En todos los brotes las actuaciones se realizaron conforme a las recomendaciones establecidas por la Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (RENAVE). CONCLUSIONES: La triquinosis en Aragón se presenta en forma de brotes familiares esporádicos coincidentes con la época de caza de jabalí y matanza domiciliaria del cerdo y se asocia al consumo de productos cárnicos no controlados sanitariamente, por lo que es necesario reforzar la educación para la salud y la colaboración intersectorial en la elaboración e implantación de estrategias de prevención y control.

Brotes Epidémicos de Triquinosis ocurridos en Aragón durante el Periodo 1988 - 2017 / Trichinellosis outbreaks in Aragón (1998-2017)

OBJETIVO: En Aragón, los controles oficiales veterinarios para detectar la presencia de triquina en productos cárnicos, han permitido que la triquinosis sea una enfermedad de baja incidencia, que se presenta en forma de brotes, asociados al consumo familiar de productos cárnicos no controlados sanitariamente. El objetivo del trabajo fue describir las características epidemiológicas de los brotes de triquinosis ocurridos en Aragón durante el periodo de estudio y las medidas de actuación llevadas a cabo, lo que sirvió de base para rediseñar y fortalecer las medidas de prevención y control. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo de las características tiempo, lugar, persona, alimentos implicados, agente etiológico y medidas de control implementadas en los brotes identificados por la Red de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de Aragón desde el 01/01/1998 al 31/12/2017. Para el análisis descriptivo se calcularon la media con su desviación estándar y las proporciones. RESULTADOS: Durante el periodo de estudio (desde el 01/01/1998 hasta el 31/12/2017) se declararon 7 brotes familiares con 294 expuestos, 103 casos (Tasa de Ataque 35%), de los que 29 fueron hospitalizados (28,1%). La tasa de letalidad fue del 1%. La media de edad de los casos fue de 43,3 años (desviación típica 15,9). El 70,8% de los casos fueron varones. Los brotes se concentraron entre diciembre y mayo. Cinco brotes se originaron tras el consumo de jabalí. El agente etiológico aislado en muestras cárnicas y/o muestras biológicas procedentes de los casos, fue Trichinella spiralis en cuatro brotes y Trichinella britovi en otros dos brotes. En todos los brotes las actuaciones se realizaron conforme a las recomendaciones establecidas por la Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (RENAVE). CONCLUSIONES: La triquinosis en Aragón se presenta en forma de brotes familiares esporádicos coincidentes con la época de caza de jabalí y matanza domiciliaria del cerdo y se asocia al consumo de productos cárnicos no controlados sanitariamente, por lo que es necesario reforzar la educación para la salud y la colaboración intersectorial en la elaboración e implantación de estrategias de prevención y control

OBJECTIVE: In Aragon, official veterinary controls to detect the presence of Trichinella in meat products have allowed trichinosis to be a low-incidence disease in the form of outbreaks associated with family consumption of meat products that are not sanitarily controlled. The aim of the work was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of the trichinosis outbreaks that occurred in Aragon during the study period and the action measures carried out, which served as a basis for redesigning and strengthening prevention and control measures. METHODS: Descriptive study of the characteristics of time, place, person, food implicated, etiological agent and control measures implemented in the outbreaks identified by the Epidemiological Surveillance Network of Aragón from 01/01/1998 to 31/12/2017. For the descriptive analysis, the mean with its standard deviation and proportions were calculated. RESULTS: During the study period (from 01/01/1998 until 31/12/2017) there were 7 family outbreaks with 294 exposed, 103 cases (Attack Rate 35%), of which 29 were hospitalized (28.1%). The case fatality rate was 1%. The average age of the cases was 43.3 years (standard deviation 15.9). 70.8% of the cases were male. Outbreaks were concentrated between December and May. Five outbreaks originated after consumption of wild boar. The etiological agent identified in meat and/or biological samples from the cases was Trichinella spiralis in four outbreaks and Trichinella britovi in two other outbreaks, while the agent could not be identified in one outbreak. In all outbreaks, actions were carried out in accordance with the recommendations established by the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE). CONCLUSIONS: Trichinosis in Aragon takes the form of sporadic family outbreaks coinciding with the time of wild boar hunting and home slaughtering of pigs and is associated with the consumption of meat products not controlled sanitarily, so it is necessary to strengthen health education and intersectoral collaboration in the development and implementation of prevention and control strategies

[Outbreak of scabies at a home for the elderly in the province of Huesca]. / Brote de escabiosis en una residencia para personas mayores en la provincia de Huesca.

BACKGROUND: Individuals residing in institutionalized living facilities are currently a high-risk group as regards scabies outbreaks. This study is aimed at analyzing the characteristics of one of these outbreaks, which occurred at a senior citizen living facility located in the municipality of Barbastro (Huesca) through the Huesca Provincial Epidemiological Monitoring Division. METHODS: Following the initial notification of cases, a specific scabies prevention protocol was set out. An epidemiological investigation was conducted, proceeding to an active search for cases among all of the individuals residing or working at the facility in question. The information gathered on the cases and contacts by means of a validated survey was included in a database using Epiinfo 6.0. The attack rate and the relative risk of those residing in each area of the center were estimated, taking as a reference that having the lowest attack rate. RESULTS: A total of nineteen (18 and 1 respectively) cases of scabies were detected among the 104 residents and 20 workers employed at the facility. The source of the outbreak could not be specifically determined, although at least two of the first cases had begun to show some symptoms six months prior to their detection. The average delay in diagnosis was 53 days. This outbreak had a greater effect on the males in the assisted living quarters (TA = 77%; RR = 18.5, C195% = 2.7-128.7). The only employee affected was the person in charge of this area, who had not employed the universal personal protection measures during his caregiving tasks. CONCLUSIONS: This is a scabies outbreak at a senior citizen living facility, probably due to the delay in diagnosing the first cases and the failure on the part of one caregiver to have employed the personal protection measures. A specific scabies-prevention protocol having been implemented was fundamental for the control of this outbreak.