Reasonable Rascal
02-26-03, 19:16
VENEZUELAN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS - NICARAGUA, HONDURAS: ALERT
*************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: La Prensa, Nicaragua, 25 Feb 2003 (translated by Maria Jacobs,
ProMED-ESP) [edited]
<http://www.laprensa.com.ni/>
The Nicaraguan Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Mag-For), through its Division of National Agricultural Quarantine, has declared a state of animal sanitary alert along the northern border of the country to prevent the introduction of Venezuelan equine encephalitis [VEE].
According to a report from the Regional International Organization of Plant Protection and Animal Health (OIRSA), approximately 10 days ago, the VEE virus caused the death of 20 horses in the community of San Antonio de Flores, in the Honduran state of El Paraiso, which borders the state of Nueva Segovia, in the north of Nicaragua.
Reymundo Pastrana, of Mag-For's Quarantine Division, confirmed that upon receipt of this information, the ministry's representatives at the border station of Las Manos, Nueva Segovia, received orders to ban the introduction of equines into Nicaragua.
The only animals to be permitted in the country are those whose owners can present a health certificate confirming the absence of the disease or the respective vaccination. The restrictions are in effect in all the border crossings in the north of the country.
Alicia Arroliga, Director of Press Relations for Mag-For, reported that a team of veterinarians from the Ministry has investigated the communities along the border with Honduras and coordinated with health authorities in Nueva Segovia the permanent surveillance of the area. Blood samples from all ill horses in the region were analyzed and the initial results ruled out the presence of VEE. The team also instructed residents about the disease -- both in horses and in humans -- and urged the residents of communities where there is no border control to refrain from traveling by horse between the two countries, while the state of alert remains in effect.
The Ministry announced that this week the team of veterinarians would carry out a second investigation to confirm or rule out the presence of VEE in Nicaragua.
[Byline: Alina Lorio L.]
--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) viruses, of the genus Alphavirus of the family Togaviridae, cause disease ranging from mild febrile reactions to fatal encephalitic zoonoses in Equidae and humans. They are transmitted by haematophagous insects.
Incidence of the disease has been reported during 2001 by Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. Nicaragua did not submit to the OIE a report on the situation there during 2001, though it reported cases in 2000. The last occurrence of VEE in Venezuela was reported in April 2000; during 2001, about 150 000 equines were vaccinated there. Further information on the current dynamics of this important zoonotic disease in central America will be welcome. - Mod.AS]
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RR's Note:
Interestingly enough, from a purely historical perspective, VEE is also a known developed bio-war agent. It numbers amongst the top 15 most likely agents of use, or at least did as of 5 years ago.
*************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: La Prensa, Nicaragua, 25 Feb 2003 (translated by Maria Jacobs,
ProMED-ESP) [edited]
<http://www.laprensa.com.ni/>
The Nicaraguan Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Mag-For), through its Division of National Agricultural Quarantine, has declared a state of animal sanitary alert along the northern border of the country to prevent the introduction of Venezuelan equine encephalitis [VEE].
According to a report from the Regional International Organization of Plant Protection and Animal Health (OIRSA), approximately 10 days ago, the VEE virus caused the death of 20 horses in the community of San Antonio de Flores, in the Honduran state of El Paraiso, which borders the state of Nueva Segovia, in the north of Nicaragua.
Reymundo Pastrana, of Mag-For's Quarantine Division, confirmed that upon receipt of this information, the ministry's representatives at the border station of Las Manos, Nueva Segovia, received orders to ban the introduction of equines into Nicaragua.
The only animals to be permitted in the country are those whose owners can present a health certificate confirming the absence of the disease or the respective vaccination. The restrictions are in effect in all the border crossings in the north of the country.
Alicia Arroliga, Director of Press Relations for Mag-For, reported that a team of veterinarians from the Ministry has investigated the communities along the border with Honduras and coordinated with health authorities in Nueva Segovia the permanent surveillance of the area. Blood samples from all ill horses in the region were analyzed and the initial results ruled out the presence of VEE. The team also instructed residents about the disease -- both in horses and in humans -- and urged the residents of communities where there is no border control to refrain from traveling by horse between the two countries, while the state of alert remains in effect.
The Ministry announced that this week the team of veterinarians would carry out a second investigation to confirm or rule out the presence of VEE in Nicaragua.
[Byline: Alina Lorio L.]
--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) viruses, of the genus Alphavirus of the family Togaviridae, cause disease ranging from mild febrile reactions to fatal encephalitic zoonoses in Equidae and humans. They are transmitted by haematophagous insects.
Incidence of the disease has been reported during 2001 by Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. Nicaragua did not submit to the OIE a report on the situation there during 2001, though it reported cases in 2000. The last occurrence of VEE in Venezuela was reported in April 2000; during 2001, about 150 000 equines were vaccinated there. Further information on the current dynamics of this important zoonotic disease in central America will be welcome. - Mod.AS]
------------------------
RR's Note:
Interestingly enough, from a purely historical perspective, VEE is also a known developed bio-war agent. It numbers amongst the top 15 most likely agents of use, or at least did as of 5 years ago.