The Investigation and Disease Control of Zika outbreak in Wangnuea District, Lampang Province, 2018

Abstract

On May 28, 2018, Wangnuea surveillance rapid respond teams (SRRT) received news from  Wangnuea Hospital reported an  outbreak of Zika virus infection in Moo 1, Thung Hua Subdistrict, Wangnuea District, Lampang Province. The SRRT rushed out to investigate and to control the outbreak between May 28, 2018 and July 17, 2018. The objectives of the investigation were to confirm the diagnosis and the outbreak, epidemiological characteristics of the disease and to control and prevent epidemics in the area. Using descriptive epidemiological surveillance as the study method by interviewing patients, reviewing the medical records to find out number of patients and pregnant women according to the definition of the Bureau of Epidemiology, and narrating the environment in the community. SRRT surveyed Aedes mosquito larvae, collected blood samples and urine from the families and from pregnant women, which we submitted the specimens to confirm in the laboratory. The results showed that 84 patients were eligible for laboratory investigation, of which there were 23 laboratory confirmed cases.  The ratio consisted male: female 1: 1.3, an average age was 30.9 years (SD = 20.38). The most cases (92.9%) had fever (54.8%) and joint pain (39.3%). Zika virus genetic material was found in 17 cases and Zika virus in both urine and plasma was 5 cases. In addition, one pregnant woman gestated 34 weeks found Zika virus in the plasma. The outbreak of Zika virus infection in Wangnuea district characterized symptoms of the disease liked viral infections with skin rashes. We investigated the medical seeking of the patients was delayed, that might be causing an outbreak. The measures to prevent and control the outbreaks needed the health education scheme. It is necessary to create a public health emergency response center and to define the levels of intensity consisting color zones such as green, yellow, and red areas. Collaboration with network partners to promote an awareness to improve the environment in the community in order to eliminate aedes mosquitoes and larvae. This implementation discovered that after 28 days of the control, there was no appearance of any case.