Increased Risk Of Disease Transmission Research Articles

Vigilancia entomológica de insectos de importancia en salud pública durante la construcción de los proyectos hidroeléctricos Porce II y Porce III, Antioquia, Colombia, 1990-2009

Introduction. Entomological studies conducted in large hydroelectric infrastructure projects are a toolfor the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. These diseases emerge as a consequence ofchanges made to the terrain that often increase the natural and artificial mosquito larval habitats. Many of these insects are of public health importance and population increases result in an increased risk ofdisease transmission. Objective. The culicine (mosquito) and phlebotomine (sand fly) populations were characterized in thearea of the Porce II and Porce III hydroelectric projects of Antioquia between 1990 to 2009. Materials and methods. Periodical entomological samplings were made in the area of impact, in theworkers camps, and construction sites. Adult specimens were captured with nets, Shannon light traps,CDC light traps, and protected human bait. Results. Mosquito larvae of the following species were identified: Culex coronator, Culex nigripalpus,Culex corniger, Culex quinquefasciatus and Limatus durhami. The most frequently identifiers of larvalhabitats were low tanks, waste cans, tires, and aquatic plants. Aedes aegypti specimens were capturedin only two rural locations from two municipalities within the area of influence. Specimens from thefollowing mosquito genera were captured in forest areas: Aedes, Mansonia, Culex, Psorophora,Wyeomyia, Phonyomyia, Uranotaenia, Haemagogus and Sabethes. The most important mosquitofound was Haemogogus janthinomis, an efficient yellow fever vector in Colombia. The area has beenendemic for leishmaniasis and in the current study, 20 species of Lutzomyia sand flies, potential vectors,were identified. Among malaria vectors, the most important species found in the area were Anophelesnuneztovari and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis. Conclusion. A wide variety of vectors were discovered in the area of the Porce II and Porce IIIhydroelectric projects, and many of these were relevant for public health. Further monitoring willbe necessary to minimize disease transmission risks among the workers and the inhabitants of thesurrounding areas. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v32i3.668

Risks of bloodborne diseases to emergency personnel in traumatic wound management.

High prevalence of viral hepatitis, increasing HIV infection and other bloodborne diseases in Taiwan have made the health care provider exposed to an increased risk of disease transmission unless adequate precautions and protections have been undertaken. Furthermore, emergency personnel must face the patient with limited information, and neither a reliable predictor nor appropriate tools have been found to assist in identifying emergency patients who pose a risk. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States thus issued a specific caveat advocating all body fluids should be treated as potentially infectious under uncontrolled emergency circumstances. Unfortunately, in Taiwan, personnel in emergency service practice with limited protection, often without mask and only gloves as the only barrier device used. We tried to determine the risk of facial exposure during traumatic wound management. One hundred and fifteen wounds of 107 patients were enrolled. Most of them were not life-threatening and thus could be managed under more controlled conditions. Standard procedures of wound management were applied and facial exposure was assessed after each wound closure. Positive exposure rate in such controlled conditions remained as high as 46/115 (40%). Exposure rate in uncontrolled conditions should be, therefore, much more significant. Therefore, we should put more emphasis on adequate precaution and protection against bloodborne diseases.