Autor(es): Moya José, Pimentel Raquel, Puello José

Resumo: The Region of the Americas has been affected since December 2013 by a chikungunya epidemic for the first time. Although the first cases were recorded in the French Caribbean, the epidemic quickly spread to the Dominican Republic due to trade - people movements. The Dominican Republic, which shares the isl- of Hispaniola with Haiti, has a population of 10 million. This article contains information from a range of different publications - official documents about the chikungunya virus infection - epidemic. These papers were extremely helpful for guiding the response to the epidemic in the Dominican Republic - may also be useful for enhancing knowledge of the virus - responses among health workers elsewhere in the region. Particular attention is drawn to the important research undertaken in countries - territories affected by the epidemic in the Indian Ocean area. This is the case, for example, of the isl- of La Réunion, where the epidemic had an attack rate of more than 30% between 2005 - 2007. Researchers were able to identify risk groups, severe - atypical forms of the infection, cases of vertical transmission, chronic disease causing recurrent pain over three years, - directly- or indirectly-related deaths from the virus. Given its high attack rate, the chikungunya virus has emerged as an exceptional challenge for health ministries - calls for appropriate organized responses from the health services, prioritization of care for risk groups - patients exhibiting severe forms of the disease, - effective social communication - intersectoral actions.

Palavras-Chave: Chikungunya virus; Epidemics; Health services; Dominican Republic

Imprenta: Revista Panamericana de Salud Pu?blica, v. 36, n. 5, p. 331-335, 2014

Descritores: Chikungunya Virus - Virus; Chikungunya virus - Transmission; Chikungunya virus - Epidemic

Data de publicação: 2014

INDICADORES

ACESSO