Sustaining measles and rubella elimination through the Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission in the Americas.

The elimination of endemic rubella and measles transmission in the Region of the Americas was verified by the Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) Regional Verification Commission in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Upon achieving this success, this Commission was disbanded. Shortly afterwards, the Region faced challenges in the post-elimination era, notably responding to and stopping transmission of imported measles cases.

Lessons for sustaining the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome in the Caribbean.

This study searched grey literature and PubMed for strategies to sustain the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome and prevent their reintroduction in the Caribbean. Strategies were categorized at the macro, meso, and micro health levels. Macro strategies include: strong, clear, unified political and technical leadership and support; country ownership and subregional coordination of resources, policies, and programs; government investment in national immunization programs; and timely payment to the Pan American Health Organization Revolving Fund for affordable, good-quality vaccines.

Adaptation of WHO COVID-19 guidelines by Caribbean countries and territories.

The normative role of the World Health Organization (WHO) involves creating evidence-based, principled guidelines to guide its Member States in making well-informed public health decisions. While these guidelines often need to be adapted to ensure contextual relevance, foster better implementation and adherence, adapting existing guidelines is more efficient than creating new ones. Here we describe the adaptation of the WHO coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) living guideline on pharmacological interventions for the Caribbean using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE)-ADOLOPMENT method.

Establishing priorities to strengthen National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Americas faced a significant decline in vaccination coverage as well as increased vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this paper is to summarize the challenges and opportunities outlined by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and prioritize targeted interventions. The exploratory survey included open-ended questions on two primary components: challenges, and opportunities.

A review of immunization legislation for children in English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries.

Objective: To assess the legislative frameworks concerning childhood vaccination in the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean and propose a model legislative framework for Caribbean countries.

Methods: This study included a survey of 22 countries and territories in the Caribbean regarding legal vaccination mandates for school entry, budget allocations, sanctions, or exemptions. A legal consultant conducted a comprehensive search and analysis of legislation regarding vaccination among 13 Caribbean countries/territories.

Children and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a Caribbean perspective.

This study aims to assess coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance methods, health resources, vaccination coverage and income stratification and quantify burdens of disease and death in children and adolescents in the Caribbean. The investigation was a descriptive, cross-sectional study that included 15 Caribbean countries/territories and utilized surveys and secondary data sources. Quarantine and isolation measures were robust and surveillance strategies were similar.

Vertically transmitted chikungunya, Zika and dengue virus infections: The pathogenesis from mother to fetus and the implications of co-infections and vaccine development.

Chikungunya (CHIKV), Zika (ZIKV), and Dengue viruses (DENV) exhibit similar epidemiological and clinical patterns but have different pathophysiological mechanisms of disease manifestations. Differences occur in the severity of clinical presentations with the highest mortality in the general population attributed to DENV and neurological morbidity due to ZIKV. ZIKV and DENV infections can cause fetal loss with ZIKV exhibiting teratogenesis.

The Caribbean Immunization Technical Advisory Group (CITAG); A unique NITAG.

The Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011-2020 called for all countries to establish a National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) by 2020. The Caribbean, with its unique geographical context of 22 countries/territories, had limited technical expertise to establish individual NITAGs in small countries. The Caribbean Immunization Technical Advisory Group (CITAG) was launched in 2018.

The Pathophysiology of Marijuana-induced Encephalopathy and Possible Epilepsy after Ingestion in Children: A Case Series.

Ingestion of marijuana in children presents primarily with encephalopathy and potentially, in severe cases, seizures. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the benefit of medical marijuana as an anticonvulsant treatment for intractable seizures. However, there are limited data regarding its proconvulsant effects after ingestion.

Psychosocial outcomes in a cohort of perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in Western Jamaica.

Background: Psychosocial factors interact with adolescent development and affect the ability of HIV-infected adolescents to cope with and adhere to treatment.

Aim: To evaluate psychosocial outcomes in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIVAs) in Western Jamaica after psychosocial intervention.

Methods: The Bright Futures Paediatric Symptom Checklist (BF-PSC) was used for psychological screening of PHIVAs in Western Jamaica.

Chikungunya and Neonatal Immunity: Fatal Vertically Transmitted Chikungunya Infection.

AbstractChikungunya is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that has emerged as a global pathogen. The virus can pass vertically from mother to child especially during the perinatal period, with an intrapartum vertical transmission rate of 50%. Approximately half of the neonates infected with chikungunya present with severe symptoms and infrequently death.

Severe eosinophilic meningitis owing to Angiostrongylus cantonensis in young Jamaican children: case report and literature review.

Eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an endemic and emerging disease that affects adults and children in Jamaica. Most cases resolve without sequelae, but young children are at high risk of neurological damage and death. Treatment with corticosteroids and albendazole is considered safe for adults and children, but protocols for its use in children have not been established.

Descriptive epidemiology of mortality and morbidity of health-indicator diseases in hospitalized children from western Jamaica.

The objectives of our study were to describe the epidemiology of child-health indicator diseases in western Jamaica, examine differences in indicator diseases between sex and age, and generate hypotheses about causes of disease burden. International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, coded discharge diagnoses were collected from consecutive admissions for 2003-2005 from a public tertiary care hospital. Mortality data were not coded.