Venezuelan equine encephalitis--Colombia, 1995

Abstract

An outbreak of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) that began in northwestern Venezuela in April 1995 has spread westward to the Guajira peninsula and to Colombia (Figure 1), resulting in an estimated minimum of 13,000 cases in humans and an undetermined number of equine deaths. Governments of both countries have initiated efforts to control the spread of this outbreak by quarantining and vaccinating equines and applying insecticides. This report summarizes the ongoing investigation of the outbreak in Colombia.

Figures

FIGURE 1

Location of outbreak of Venezuelan equine encephalitis — Colombia, April 1–October 1, 1995

FIGURE 2

Number of Venezuelan equine encephalitis cases estimated from a random household survey (n=250), by date of onset — Manaure,* Colombia, September 1–26, 1995 *Population 6283.