PERTUSSIS IN VENEZUELA IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE NEW HERODES?

Abstract

15A. EDUCATION: PUBLIC HEALTH: CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY ESP17-0350 PERTUSSIS IN VENEZUELA IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE NEW HERODES? J. Levy1, L. Echezuria Marval2, A. Risquez2, J.V. Franco3 1Centro Médico Docente la Trinidad, Pediatria, Caracas, Venezuela 2Universidad Central de Venezuela, Medicina Preventiva y Social, Caracas, Venezuela 3Universidad de los Andes, Infectologia, San Cristobal, Venezuela Background Pertussis is endemic around the world, estimated annually 50 million cases and 300,000 deaths; even in countries with high coverage of sustained vaccination, cases continue to appear. The incidence in the affected countries varies widely; in the Americas has had a major rebound, reason why is considered as a public health problem. Methods The objective of this secular study is to know the distribution and frequency of morbidity and mortality due to pertussis in Venezuela during the period (1995-2013). Epidemiological, chronological, retrospective study of official nation data published by the Ministry of Health, in various instruments: Bulletins, Yearbooks of Morbidity and Mortality. (last published official data) Results In the last 11 years (2003-2013), endemic to low frequency (n: 6886), with a clear predominance in children (n: 4624) 67.15%. There were a total of 636 deaths, 609 (97.75%) among infants <1year. The burden of disease is more evident in mortality, n: 347, of those 340 in infants <1 year, 97.98%; 106 in infants <2 months (31.17%), before the age of vaccination, 2 to 6 months n: 212 (62.35%) recommended age at national immunization program, and 7-11 months n: 12 (3.52%). Conclusions This epidemiological review of data broad many reflections and learning notes, but above all is the importance of disease prevention in children, considering the relevance to implement a strategy directed to inmunize pregnants at 3rd trimester and newborn close contacts. ( cocoon strategy) that could reduce disease and mortality in infants <1 year.