American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume 101, Issue 1, 2019, Pages 237-241

Risk of measles and diphtheria introduction and transmission on Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands, 2018 (Article) (Open Access)

Vos R.A.* , Mollema L. , Kerkhof J. , Van Den Kerkhof J.H.C.T. , Gerstenbluth I. , Janga-Jansen A.V.A. , Stienstra Y. , De Melker H.E. , Van Der Klis F.R.M.
  • a Centre for Infectious Disease Control (Cib), National Institute for Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1 (Postbak 41), Bilthoven, 3720 MA, Netherlands, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • b Centre for Infectious Disease Control (Cib), National Institute for Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1 (Postbak 41), Bilthoven, 3720 MA, Netherlands
  • c Centre for Infectious Disease Control (Cib), National Institute for Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1 (Postbak 41), Bilthoven, 3720 MA, Netherlands
  • d Centre for Infectious Disease Control (Cib), National Institute for Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1 (Postbak 41), Bilthoven, 3720 MA, Netherlands
  • e Department of Epidemiology and Research, Medical and Health Service Curaçao, Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands, Department of Epidemiology, Curaçao Biomedical and Health Research Institute, Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands
  • f Department of Public Health, Public Entity Bonaire, Kralendijk, Bonaire, Netherlands
  • g Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • h Centre for Infectious Disease Control (Cib), National Institute for Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1 (Postbak 41), Bilthoven, 3720 MA, Netherlands
  • i Centre for Infectious Disease Control (Cib), National Institute for Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1 (Postbak 41), Bilthoven, 3720 MA, Netherlands

Abstract

Endemic transmission of measles has been reestablished in Venezuela, and outbreaks of diphtheria remain ongoing across Latin America (LA). Hence, a large cross-sectional population-based serosurveillance study was conducted on Bonaire, one of the Dutch Leeward Antilles, to assess specific age and population groups at risk. Participants (aged 0-90 years) donated a blood sample and completed a questionnaire (n = 1,129). Antibodies against measles and diphtheria were tested using bead-based multiplex immunoassays. Our data revealed that immunity against measles is suboptimal, especially for those aged less than 5 years from Suriname, Aruba, and former Dutch Antilles (SADA), and adolescents from LA; and against diphtheria for persons aged more than 30 years, particularly among females and residents from SADA and LA. As refugees arrive persistently, health authorities on the Dutch Leeward Antilles should be on alert to detect early cases and prevent subsequent transmission. Ultimately, there is an urgent need for serosurveillance studies in the Caribbean region. © 2019 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

blood sampling human Aged immunity Bonaire diphtheria poliomyelitis tetanus vaccine cross-sectional study Adolescent male female Infant very elderly newborn questionnaire Article disease transmission adult infection risk measles mumps rubella vaccine ethnicity diphtheria antibody seroprevalence diphtheria measles immunoassay measles antibody Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85068888417&doi=10.4269%2fajtmh.18-0824&partnerID=40&md5=41918c352b61a4c3987491ad0ab5b6bf
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0824
ISSN: 00029637
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English