Epidemiology of Clinical Hantavirus Infections in Barbados, 2008-2016

Abstract

Analysis of the demographic, temporal and seasonal distribution of hantavirus infections in Barbados was conducted using national surveillance data for 861 laboratory confirmed cases during 2008-2016. The crude incidence rate of hantavirus infections varied from 5.05 to 100.16 per 100,000 persons per year. One major hantavirus epidemic occurred in Barbados during 2010. Hantavirus cases occurred throughout the year with low level transmission during the dry season (December to June) with increased transmission during rainy season (July to November) and a seasonal peak in August. Hantavirus incidence rates were significantly higher in females than males every year during the study period. More than 50% of hantavirus cases were 30 years of age or less. The highest incidence rate (63.36 cases per 100,000 population) was observed among patients 0–4 years of age. This represents the first epidemiological data for hantavirus disease among an entire population in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Serum LPS Associated with Hantavirus and Dengue Disease Severity in Barbados

“…DENV are transmitted year-round and dengue epidemics have occurred in 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2007 [11,12,14]. Notably DHF in Barbados does not appear to be as prevalent as in Asian countries where dengue is more severe [18]. Though dengue has been endemic in the Caribbean for several decades some of the host factors influencing dengue disease severity and hantavirus disease severity in the region remain unknown.…”