West Nile virus has been observed in birds circulating in Mexico and is expected to increase human infections resulting in an outbreak. 

Georgetown University

The most widely spread arbovirus in the world, West Nile Virus is primarily spread to humans through mosquitos. West Nile virus infections may produce febrile illness or severe fever; however, most individuals who are infected with the virus are asymptomatic. Outbreaks of West Nile are so dangerous because, currently, there are not any available vaccines or antiviral treatments. 

West Nile

Arboviruses: 
- Dengue 
- West Nile

Parasitic Diseases: 
- Malaria
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis 
- Chagas Disease

Bacterial Diseases: 
- Human rickettsialpox 

Zoonotic NTDs: 
- Cysticercosis
- Toxocariasis
- Leptospirosis



List of NTDs Present in Gulf Coast States of Mexico

Hotez, P. J., Bottazzi, M. E., Dumonteil, E., &amp; Buekens, P. (2015). The Gulf of Mexico: A “Hot Zone” for Neglected Tropical Diseases? PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(2). doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003481

The Gulf of Mexico: A "Hot Zone" for Tropical Diseases?

IgM-ELISA, plague reduction neutralization test and viral isolation PCR diagnostic tests are used to detect West Nile. 

Diagnosing West Nile Virus

Clinical manifestations of West Nile in pregnant women include fever, headache, back pain, generalized weakness and pain, myalgia, anorexia, aseptic meningitis/encephalitis. 

Maternal West Nile Virus Infection Presentation

Congenital malformations include microencephaly, polydactyly, chorioretinitis and growth retardation of infants. 

Fetal/Neonatal Abnormalities from West Nile Virus

There are no available vaccines for West Nile. 

Vaccines for West Nile Virus

Cytokines are produced which elicit inflammatory effects resulting in cell death of neurons. The Culex species of mosquitoes are the vectors for this arbovirus. 

West Nile Virus Pathogenesis/Vector

West Nile Virus in the Gulf of Mexico

Human rickettsialpox is an important vector-borne bacterial infection in southeastern Mexico; Rickettsia felis has emerged as a flea-borne bacterial infection. 

Human rickettsialpox in the Gulf of Mexico

Dengue is now prevalent in Yucatan and other coastal, tropical areas. All four dengue serotypes are present and incidence rates peaked in 2002, 2007 and 2009.

Dengue in the Gulf of Mexico

99 percent of Mexico’s malaria cases are Vivax malaria (a specific protozoal parasite that is the most widely distributed cause of recurring malaria) and is present in Oaxaca and Chiapas. The risk for malaria reemergence is high although it is in the “pre-elimination” phase.

Malaria in the Gulf of Mexico

Chagas disease has been reported as more than 1 million cases in Mexico. The highest prevalence occurs in Oaxaca and Chiapas. In Yucatan the prevalence is approximately one percent; these triatomine vectors (kissing bugs) have been linked to dogs, chickens and vegetation that are hospitable environments for these bugs. The rate of T. cruzi vector-borne transmission has been estimated at approximately one human infection per 900–4,000 contacts with triatomines. Within rural Mayan societies on the Yucatan peninsula, T. cruzi infections have been reported among mothers and their offspring. This suggests both congenital and vector-borne transmission.

Chagas Disease in the Gulf of Mexico

Cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) can be found in the Tabasco state, where CL has been associated with cacao plantations. CL cases have sprung up in Veracruz and Yucatan. The parasites Leishmania mexicana, Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum have been recorded and observed in dogs in Yucatan and along the coastal region. Visceral leishmaniasis, that affects several organ systems, has also been reported.

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