TY - JOUR
T1 - Risk of measles and diphtheria introduction and transmission on Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands, 2018
AU - Vos, Regnerus A.
AU - Mollema, Liesbeth
AU - Kerkhof, Jeroen
AU - Van Den Kerkhof, Johannes H.C.T.
AU - Gerstenbluth, Izzy
AU - Janga-Jansen, Alcira V.A.
AU - Stienstra, Ymkje
AU - De Melker, Hester E.
AU - Van Der Klis, Fiona R.M.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0824
DO - 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0824
M3 - Article
VL - 101
SP - 237
EP - 241
JO - The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
JF - The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
IS - 1
ER -
