Zika among international travellers presenting to GeoSentinel sites, 2012-2019: implications for clinical practice

Angelo, Kristina M., Stoney, Rhett J., Brun-Cottan, Gaelle, Leder, Karin, Grobusch, Martin P., Hochberg, Natasha, Kuhn, Susan, Bottieau, Emmanuel, Schlagenhauf, Patricia, Chen, Lin, Hynes, Noreen A., Perez, Cecilia Perret, Mockenhaupt, Frank P., Molina, Israel, Crespillo-Andújar, Clara, Malvy, Denis, Caumes, Eric, Plourde, Pierre, Shaw, Marc, McCarthy, Anne E., Piper-Jenks, Nancy, Connor, Bradley A., Hamer, Davidson H., and Wilder-Smith, Annelies (2020) Zika among international travellers presenting to GeoSentinel sites, 2012-2019: implications for clinical practice. Journal of Travel Medicine, 27 (4). taaa061.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: International travellers contribute to the rapid spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) and its sentinel identification globally. We describe ZIKV infections among international travellers seen at GeoSentinel sites with a focus on ZIKV acquired in the Americas and the Caribbean, describe countries of exposure and traveller characteristics, and assess ZIKV diagnostic testing by site.

METHODS: Records with an international travel-related diagnosis of confirmed or probable ZIKV from January 2012 through December 2019 reported to GeoSentinel with a recorded illness onset date were included to show reported cases over time. Records from March 2016 through December 2019 with an exposure region of the Americas or the Caribbean were included in the descriptive analysis. A survey was conducted to assess the availability, accessibility and utilization of ZIKV diagnostic tests at GeoSentinel sites.

RESULTS: GeoSentinel sites reported 525 ZIKV cases from 2012 through 2019. Between 2012 and 2014, eight cases were reported, and all were acquired in Asia or Oceania. After 2014, most cases were acquired in the Americas or the Caribbean, a large decline in ZIKV cases occurred in 2018-19.Between March 2016 and December 2019, 423 patients acquired ZIKV in the Americas or the Caribbean, peak reporting to these regions occurred in 2016 [330 cases (78%)]. The median age was 36 years (range: 3-92); 63% were female. The most frequent region of exposure was the Caribbean (60%). Thirteen travellers were pregnant during or after travel; one had a sexually acquired ZIKV infection. There was one case of fetal anomaly and two travellers with Guillain-Barré syndrome. GeoSentinel sites reported various challenges to diagnose ZIKV effectively.

CONCLUSION: ZIKV should remain a consideration for travellers returning from areas with risk of ZIKV transmission. Travellers should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare providers to ensure ZIKV prevention measures are taken.

Item ID: 66779
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1708-8305
Keywords: declining epidemic, Guillain-Barre syndrome, sentinel surveillance, Survey, Zika diagnostics
Copyright Information: © Published by Oxford University Press 2020. This work is written by US Government employees and is in the public domain in the US.
Funders: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The International Society of Travel Medicine, Public Health of Canada
Projects and Grants: CDC Cooperative Agreement U50CK00189
Date Deposited: 28 Apr 2021 01:50
FoR Codes: 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4202 Epidemiology > 420202 Disease surveillance @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 1
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