title: [Do some conditions contribute to the reemergence of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in the Colombian Alta Guajira?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the last 18 years, epizootics of Venezuelan equine encephalitis have not occurred in places with historic epidemic register (1925-1995) in the Guajira Peninsula, Colombia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess if the Guajira Peninsula, Colombia, still maintains the epidemiological conditions for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus reemergence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research was carried out in places affected by the 1995 epidemic. We evaluated: 1) abundance and seasonal variation of vector mosquito populations; 2) availability of mammals that are potential amplifiers of the virus, and 3) knowledge among the community about the disease and its vectors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the 16 mosquito species were found during the rainy season. Aedes taeniorhynchus and Psorophora confinnis showed direct relation with rainfall and temperature. In contrast, the dominant species, Deinocerites atlanticus , was always present in the collections, regardless of climatic conditions. No IgG antibodies were found in humans younger than 17 years old, goats or bovine sera. One third of those interviewed remembered the last epidemic and had basic understanding of the disease. Only 20% of the families were owners of equines, and 8% was informed of the importance of equine vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some epidemiological conditions that eventually could help epizootic Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus reemergence are maintained. However, an abrupt decrease in the number of susceptible equines was found in the area. Apparently, this new condition has not allowed the virus reemergence and is the biggest observed change.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Las Salas
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Virología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio Departamental de Salud Pública de La Guajira, Grupo de Virología, Secretaría de Salud Departamental, Riohacha, Colombia.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio Departamental de Salud Pública de La Guajira, Grupo de Virología, Secretaría de Salud Departamental, Riohacha, Colombia.
authors.forename: Zulibeth
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Flórez
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
authors.forename: María Clara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Duque
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
authors.forename: Ligia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lugo
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Entomología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D009033:Culicidae; D004666:Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / Q000276:immunology; D004685:Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D012621:Seasons; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral