Burden of disease due to microcephaly associated with the Zika virus in Colombia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The 2015 introduction of Zika virus in Colombia presented a significant public health challenge.
• Zika virus infection is linked to severe congenital disorders, notably microcephaly.
• Understanding the disease burden is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the burden of disease caused by microcephaly associated with Zika virus in Colombia.
• To analyze the disease burden across Colombia's administrative subdivisions for 2015-2016.
• To compare the Zika-associated microcephaly burden with other congenital anomalies.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory ecological study was conducted using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) as the primary metric.
• Microcephaly cases were sourced from national and departmental databases (SIVIGILA).
• Mortality rates, incidences, and DALYs were calculated, including a sensitivity analysis across three scenarios.

Main Results:

• A total of 10,609.4 DALYs were attributed to Zika-associated microcephaly in Colombia during 2015-2016.
• Years of life lost constituted 71% of the DALYs, while years lived with disability accounted for 29%.
• Five departments (Meta, Córdoba, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, and Norte de Santander) accounted for 71% of the total DALYs.

Conclusions:

• Zika-associated microcephaly imposed a substantial disease burden in Colombia, exceeding that of other congenital anomalies like neural tube defects and Down syndrome in children aged 0-4 years.
• Targeted public health strategies are essential for the prevention and monitoring of Zika virus and its associated complications.
• Continued surveillance and resource allocation are necessary to mitigate the impact of arboviruses on maternal and child health.