Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #273164

Title: Epidemiological modeling and risk analysis of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis in the human population of Coastal Chiapas, Mexico in 2007-2009

Author
item RAMIEREZ-AGUILAR, FRANCISCO - Autonomous University Of Chiapas
item MARTINEZ-ALFARO, CARLOS - Chiapas Health Services
item PIMENTEL-FERNANDEZ, NEFTALY - Chiapas Health Services
item NAVARRO-LOPEZ, ROBERTO - Ministry Of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries And Food
item PHILLIPS, PAMELA - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item WEAVER, SCOTT - University Of Texas
item ESTRADA-FRANCO, JOSE - University Of Texas

Submitted to: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2011
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Analysis of 101 febrile illness patients sero positive for Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEEV) was carried out in a retrospective study along 18 municipalities and endemic VEEV pacific coastal regions of the State of Chiapas in southern Mexico. Geographic information systems (GIS), satellite imagery and a detailed questionnaire were used in the analysis. Using ESRI ArcGIS 10.1 software and spatial statistics tools we measured the geographic distribution of VEEV cases along coastal Chiapas. The distribution of VEE cases were principally located along the Pacific coastal plain with the mean center of positive cases to be in the municipality of Huixtla. The directional distribution of cases around the mean were dispersed in a pattern between the Pacific coastline and the coastal mountain range. Temporal and spatial dynamics showed clear separation between cases in the southern and northern regions during the dry season with a peak of positive cases for both regions during the wet season. The analysis was based on Euclidian distances identifying spatially significant clusters as hot spots. The spatial analysis was complemented with relative risk (OR) bivariate and multivariate statistical analytical models showing neck stiffness (OR=6.03; 1.2318-29.5801, p=0.027) multivariate; (OR=13.87, IC 3.1861-60.4217, p=0.000), bivariate, muscle weakness (OR=10.12; IC 2.1633-47.4002, p=0.003) multivariate; (OR=23.05, IC5.3134-100.0692, p=0.000) bivariate, taste dysfunction (OR=3.54; IC 1.1380-11.0234, p=0.029) multivariate; (OR=6.40; IC 2.3449-17.5045, p=0.000) bivariate, and photophobia (OR=16.98, IC 2.2321-129.2713, p=0.006) bivariate and conjunctivitis (OR=3.25, IC 1.3273-7.9948, p=0.010) bivariate, as the most important clinical manifestations associated with VEEV for individuals of coastal Chiapas. Overall, our results indicate a coastal band of endemic VEE extending from the Guatemalan border through the State of Chiapas to the adjacent State of Oaxaca.