Abstract

ALARCON-CRUZ, Ángela P  and  PRIETO-SUAREZ, Edgar. Description of the process of preparation and response of local health authorities facing the introduction of the Chikungunya virus in Colombia, 2014. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2016, vol.18, n.3, pp.331-343. ISSN 0124-0064.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rsap.v18n3.55425.

Objective To describe the process of preparation and response of local health authorities in key public health issues while facing the introduction stage of an unusual virus: Chikungunya in Colombia in 2014. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey that was developed for this study and sent to Public Health coordinators and to the person in charge of vector borne-diseases in the country's territorial entities. Results 23 out of the 35 territories at risk from the transmission of Chikungunya agreed to answer the survey. A global review of the survey scores for each evaluated section shows better performances in the areas of knowledge management, comprehensive patient care, epidemiological intelligence, and health promotion. According to the results of this study, the epidemiological surveillance system during the Chikungunya epidemic had a low acceptability and flexibility, possibly contributing to the underreporting of cases. Conclusions In general, knowledge and implementation by local authorities of the Integrated Health Strategy- EGI (Estrategia de Gestión Integral, by its Spanish acronym)- for vector-borne diseases was evident from the themes evaluated in this study. However, it is necessary to reinforce the communication of risks, laboratory, and outbreak and contingencies management areas faced during the introduction of new viruses.

Keywords : Chikungunya; risk management; epidemic.

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