Equine Encephalitis in Venezuela. A Clinical Epidemiological Profile of the 1995 Epidemic

Abstract

Equine encephalitis in Venezuela has presented itself in epidemic outbreaks in the Venezuelan Guajira since 1936. In 1938 the causal agent was isolated for the first time in a sick horse in Venezuela. The predominant syndrome is that of a self-limiting illness similar to the common cold, and only 4% of the people infected, principally children under 5 years of age, suffer encephalitis. Mortality in children under 5 with encephalitis is 35%. The clinical epidemiological profile of Equine encephalitis in Venezuela between July 15 and October 17 1995, is described and analyzed in relation to 5 municipalities: Maracaibo, Mara, Padilla, Paez, and Miranda in Zulia State. Data obtained from the epidemiological observance and control departments in Zulia is reviewed, including a total of 11,072 cases of clinical, epidemiological diagnosis of Venezuelan equine encephalitis in a population of 574,769 inhabitants in the five municipalities mentioned. The incidence of contagion is 1.92%, and there is no significant difference between sexes. The age group most affected is children under 5 years old, in which half of the mortality occurred (8 cases). This included 2 newborn children whose mothers contracted the disease in the last three months of pregnancy.