scholarly journals COVID-19 surveillance in the Flemish school system: development of systematic data collection within the Public Health School System and descriptive analysis of cases reported between October 2020 and June 2021

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Merckx ◽  
Jonas Crèveceour ◽  
Kristiaan Proesmans ◽  
Naïma Hammami ◽  
Hilde Denys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
School System ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
School Health ◽  
System Development ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
Incident Cases

Abstract Background The age specific distribution of SARS-CoV-2 cases in schools is not well described. The numbers recorded reflect the intensity of community transmission while being shaped by biases from age-dependent testing regimes and effective age-specific interventions. A case-surveillance system was introduced within the Flemish school and health-prevention network during the 2020-2021 school year. We present epidemiological data of in-school reported cases in pre-, primary and secondary schools based on the surveillance system, in conjunction with test data and community cases from October 2020 to June 2021. Methods We describe the development of the surveillance system and provide the number of reported cases and standardized rates per grade over time. We calculate absolute and relative differences between incidence cases by grade of primary (grades 1-6) and secondary-school (grades 7-12) and compare these to grades 7-8, relating them to non-pharmaceutical infection prevention interventions. Cumulative population incidences (IP) stratified by age, province and social-economic status (SES) of the school population are presented with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results A total of 59,996 COVID-19 cases were reported in the school surveillance system, with the highest population adjusted IP in grade 11-12 of 7.39% (95%CI 7.24-7.53) and ranging from 2.23–6.25% from pre-school through grade 10. Age-specific reduction in in-person teaching and introduction of masks, are temporally associated with decreases in incident cases by grades. Lower pupil SES is associated with increased cumulative cases (excess 2,739/100,000 pupils compared to highest SES tertile). Community testing volumes varied more for children compared to adults, with overall higher child test-positivity. Holidays influence capturing of cases by the system, however efficiency increased to above 75% after further automation and integration in existing structures. Conclusion Integration of case surveillance within an electronic school health system is feasible, provides data to follow up the epidemic evolution in schoolchildren and should be part of public health surveillance and pandemic preparedness. The relationship towards community transmission needs careful evaluation because of age-different testing regimens. In the Flemish region, case incidence within schools follows an age gradient that is mitigated through grade specific interventions, while differences by SES remain.

scholarly journals Sentinel surveillance for influenza A viruses in Lahore District Pakistan in flu season 2015–2016

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saima Hasan ◽  
Richard J. Webby ◽  
Muhammad Iqbal ◽  
Hamad Bin Rashid ◽  
Mansur-ud-Din Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Distribution ◽  
Middle Income

Abstract Background Influenza A virus (IAV) remains an important global public health threat with limited epidemiological information available from low-and-middle-income countries. The major objective of this study was to describe the proportions, temporal and spatial distribution, and demographic and clinical characteristics of IAV positive patients with influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods Prospective surveillance was established in a sentinel hospital from October 2015 to May 2016. All eligible outpatients and inpatients with ILI or SARI were enrolled in the study. Nasal and/or throat swabs were collected along with clinico-epidemiological data. Samples were tested by real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) to identify IAV and subtype. The descriptive analysis of data was done in R software. Results Out of 311 enrolled patients, 284 (91.3%) were ILI and 27 (8.7%) were SARI cases. A distinct peak of ILI and SARI activity was observed in February. Fifty individuals (16%) were positive for IAV with peak positivity observed in December. Of 50 IAV, 15 were seasonal H3N2, 14 were H1N1pdm09 and 21 were unable to be typed. The majority of IAV positive cases (98%) presented with current or history of fever, 88% reported cough and 82% reported sore throat. The most common comorbidities in IAV positive cases were hepatitis C (4%), obesity (4%) and tuberculosis (6%). The highest incidence of patients reporting to the hospital was seen three days post symptoms onset (66/311) with 14 of these (14/66) positive for IAV. Conclusion Distinct trends of ILI, SARI and IAV positive cases were observed which can be used to inform public health interventions (vaccinations, hand and respiratory hygiene) at appropriate times among high-risk groups. We suggest sampling from both ILI and SARI patients in routine surveillance as recommended by WHO.

scholarly journals COVID-19 among immigrants in Norway, notified infections, related hospitalizations and associated mortality: A register-based study

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56
Author(s):  
Thor Indseth ◽  
Mari Grøsland ◽  
Trude Arnesen ◽  
Katrine Skyrud ◽  
Hilde Kløvstad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
North America ◽  
South America ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Hospitalization Rate ◽  
Notification Rate ◽  
Set Up

Aim: Research concerning COVID-19 among immigrants is limited. We present epidemiological data for all notified cases of COVID-19 among the 17 largest immigrant groups in Norway, and related hospitalizations and mortality. Methods: We used data on all notified COVID-19 cases in Norway up to 18 October 2020, and associated hospitalizations and mortality, from the emergency preparedness register (including Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases) set up by The Norwegian Institute of Public Health to handle the pandemic. We report numbers and rates per 100,000 people for notified COVID-19 cases, and related hospitalizations and mortality in the 17 largest immigrant groups in Norway, crude and with age adjustment. Results: The notification, hospitalization and mortality rates per 100,000 were 251, 21 and five, respectively, for non-immigrants; 567, 62 and four among immigrants; 408, 27 and two, respectively, for immigrants from Europe, North-America and Oceania; and 773, 106 and six, respectively for immigrants from Africa, Asia and South America. The notification rate was highest among immigrants from Somalia (2057), Pakistan (1868) and Iraq (1616). Differences between immigrants and non-immigrants increased when adjusting for age, especially for mortality. Immigrants had a high number of hospitalizations relative to notified cases compared to non-immigrants. Although the overall COVID-19 notification rate was higher in Oslo than outside of Oslo, the notification rate among immigrants compared to non-immigrants was not higher in Oslo than outside. Conclusions: We observed a higher COVID-19 notification rate in immigrants compared to non-immigrants and much higher hospitalization rate, with major differences between different immigrant groups. Somali-, Pakistani- and Iraqi-born immigrants had especially high rates.

scholarly journals A descriptive analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution of hepatitis A virus outbreak in Pacitan, East Java, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 (s2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya Doni Pradana ◽  
Raissa Virgy Rianda ◽  
Zhanna Ovitha Riskhathusa ◽  
Swastika A. S. Asri ◽  
Rama Azalix Rianda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Spatiotemporal Distribution ◽  
Socioeconomic Determinants ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the most serious notifiable viral hepatitis and causing public health problems in Indonesia. The outbreaks of HAV in Indonesia have been reported in several sites from 1998-2018, however systematic epidemiological data regarding Spatio-temporal distribution of HAV outbreaks are lacking. Aims: To explore, visualize, and report systematically the recent HAV outbreak and identify the socioeconomic determinants associated with the risk of HAV outbreak.

scholarly journals Scabies epidemiology in health care centers for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Louka ◽  
Emmanouil Logothetis ◽  
Daniel Engelman ◽  
Eirini Samiotaki-Logotheti ◽  
Spyros Pournaras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Refugees And Asylum Seekers

Background Scabies is a global health concern disproportionally affecting vulnerable population such as refugees and asylum seekers. Greece is a main geographical point of entry in Europe for refugees, but epidemiological data on scabies in this population is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of scabies, including trends over the study period. Methodology/Principal findings Data were collected from June, 2016 to July, 2020, using the surveillance system of the Greek National Public Health Organization. Staff at health centers for refugees/asylum seekers compiled daily reports on scabies and other infectious diseases. Observed proportional morbidity for scabies was calculated using consultations for scabies as a proportion of total consultations. There were a total of 13118 scabies cases over the study period. Scabies was the third most frequently observed infectious disease in refugees/asylum seekers population after respiratory infections and gastroenteritis without blood in the stool. The scabies monthly observed proportional morbidity varied between 0.3% (August 2017) to 5.6% (January 2020). Several outbreaks were documented during the study period. An increasing number of cases was observed from October 2019 until the end of the study period, with a peak of 1663 cases in January 2020, related to an outbreak at one center. Spearman correlation test between the number of reported scabies cases and time confirmed an increasing trend (ρ=0.67). Conclusions/Significance Scabies is one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases by health care workers in refugee/asylum seekers centers in Greece. Consultations for scabies increased over time and there were several outbreaks. The current surveillance system effectively detects new cases in an early stage. Public health interventions, including mass drug administration, should be considered to reduce the burden of scabies in refugee/migrant populations.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance to Support Decision-Making in a High-Prevalence Region: An Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Goddard ◽  
Teresa M. Wozniak
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Regional Australia

Despite a high use of antibiotics and a significant burden of infectious disease, ongoing monitoring and reporting of antimicrobial resistant pathogens in rural and regional Australia is insufficient. Many geographically isolated regions of Australia have limited infrastructure, resources and fall outside of surveillance reach, limiting health services’ ability to provide an early warning signal and appropriate response. To monitor trends in the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), identify high-risk populations and to evaluate effectiveness of control and prevention in rural and regional Australia, a subnational surveillance system termed HOTspots was developed. To promote the best use of public health resources through the development of effective and efficient surveillance systems, we evaluated HOTspots and its prototype surveillance platform for data quality, acceptability, representativeness, and timeliness. We used the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems and assessed the four attributes using a descriptive analysis of quantitative data and a thematic analysis of qualitative data. We report that the HOTspots surveillance system and its prototype platform effectively captures and represents AMR data across Northern Australia. The descriptive analysis of HOTspots data demonstrated some variation in data completeness but that data validity and representativeness were high. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts found that the system was acceptable, with almost all study participants identifying timeliness, online accessibility, and community representativeness as drivers for adoption of the system, and that the system provided timely data. The evaluation also identified areas for improvement and made recommendations to the HOTspots surveillance system and its associated prototype platform.

scholarly journals Opening up safely: public health system requirements for ongoing COVID-19 management based on evaluation of Australia's surveillance system performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamalini Lokuge ◽  
Katina D'Onise ◽  
Emily Banks ◽  
Tatum Street ◽  
Sydney Jantos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Outbreak Detection ◽  
Genomic Sequencing ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
System Requirements ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Background Ongoing management of COVID-19 requires an evidence-based understanding of the performance of public health measures to date, and application of this evidence to evolving response objectives. This paper aims to define system requirements for COVID-19 management under future transmission and response scenarios, based on surveillance system performance to date. Methods From 1st November 2020 to 30th June 2021 community transmission was eliminated in Australia, allowing investigation of system performance in detecting novel outbreaks, including against variants of concern (VoCs). We characterised surveillance systems in place from peer-reviewed and publicly available data, analysed the epidemiological characteristics of novel outbreaks over this period, and assessed surveillance system sensitivity and timeliness in outbreak detection. These findings were integrated with analysis of other critical COVID-19 public health measures to establish requirements for future COVID-19 management. Findings Australia reported 25 epidemiologically distinct outbreaks and 5 distinct clusters of cases in the study period, all linked through genomic sequencing to breaches in quarantine facilities housing international travellers. Most (21/30, 70%) were detected through testing of those with acute respiratory illness in the community, and 9 through quarantine screening. For the 21 detected in the community, the testing rate (percent of the total State population tested in the week preceding detection) was 2.07% on average, was higher for those detected while prior outbreaks were ongoing. For 17/30 with data, the delay from the primary case to detection of the index case was, on average 4.9 days, with 10 of the 17 outbreaks detected within 5 days and 3 detected after > 7days. One outbreak was preceded by an unexpected positive wastewater detection. Of the 24 outbreaks in 2021, 20 had publicly available sequencing data, all of which were VoCs. Surveillance for future VoCs using a similar strategy to that used for detecting SARS-CoV-2 to date would necessitate a 100-1,000-fold increase in capacity for genomic sequencing. Interpretation Australia's surveillance systems performed well in detecting novel introduction of SARS- CoV-2 in a period when community transmission was eliminated, introductions were infrequent and case numbers were low. Detection relied on community surveillance in symptomatic members of the general population and quarantine screening, supported by comprehensive genomic sequencing. Once vaccine coverage is maximised, the priority for future COVID-19 control will shift to detection of SARS-CoV-2 VoCs associated with increased severity of disease in the vaccinated and vaccine ineligible. This will require ongoing investment in maintaining surveillance systems and testing of all international arrivals, alongside greatly increased genomic sequencing capacity. Other essential requirements for managing VoCs are maintaining outbreak response capacity and developing capacity to rapidly engineer, manufacture, and distribute variant vaccines at scale. The most important factor in management of COVID-19 now and into the future will continue to be how effectively governments support all sectors of the community to engage in control measures.

scholarly journals Genomic epidemiology reveals transmission patterns and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Aotearoa New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jemma L Geoghegan ◽  
Xiaoyun Ren ◽  
Matthew Storey ◽  
James Hadfield ◽  
Lauren Jelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Reproductive Number ◽  
Genomic Epidemiology ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
Health And Disease

New Zealand, a geographically remote Pacific island with easily sealable borders, implemented a nation-wide lockdown of all non-essential services to curb the spread of COVID-19. New Zealand experienced 102 days without community transmission before a new outbreak in August 2020. Here, we generated 649 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from infected patients in New Zealand with samples collected from the 'first wave' between 26 February and 22 May 2020, representing 56% of all confirmed cases in this time period. Despite its remoteness, the viruses imported into New Zealand represented nearly all of the genomic diversity sequenced from the global virus population. The proportion of D614G variants in the virus spike protein increased over time due to an increase in their importation frequency, rather than selection within New Zealand. These data also helped to quantify the effectiveness of public health interventions. For example, the effective reproductive number, Re, of New Zealand's largest cluster decreased from 7 to 0.2 within the first week of lockdown. Similarly, only 19% of virus introductions into New Zealand resulted in a transmission lineage of more than one additional case. Most of the cases that resulted in a transmission lineage originated from North America, rather than from Asia where the virus first emerged or from the nearest geographical neighbour, Australia. Genomic data also helped link more infections to a major transmission cluster than through epidemiological data alone, providing probable sources of infections for cases in which the source was unclear. Overall, these results demonstrate the utility of genomic pathogen surveillance to inform public health and disease mitigation.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Obat Antihipertensi Terhadap Sindroma Mata Kering di Surabaya

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
WISNU TRI PAMUNGKAS ◽  
INDIRA RA ◽  
IRMA ANDRIANI PASARIBU
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Center ◽  
Dry Eye ◽  
Channel Blocker ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Dry Eye Syndrome ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Center

<p><strong>Abstrak</strong></p><p><strong>Latar Belakang : </strong>Prevalensi Hipertensi di Indonesia semakin meningkat mencapai 25,8% pada penduduk berusia 18 tahun keatas.  Amlodipin merupakan salah satu pilihan obat untuk terapi Hipertensi yang termasuk golongan Calsium Channel Blocker (CCB). Penggunaan obat antihipertensi sendiri merupakan salah satu faktor risiko yang menyebabkan sindroma mata kering.</p><p><strong>Tujuan : </strong>Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penggunaan obat antihipertensi terhadap sindroma mata kering pada penderita Hipertensi di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Jagir kota Surabaya.</p><p><strong>Metode penelitian : </strong>Penelitian ini adalah penelitian observasional analitik dengan metode cross-sectional. Subyek pada penelitian ini adalah 48 responden yang didapatkan dibagi kedalam 2 kelompok yakni, kelompok minum obat antihipertensi &gt;6 bulan dan tidak minum obat. Dilakukan pengisian kuesioner DEQ-5 dan pemeriksaan schirmer I.</p><p><strong>Hasil penelitian : </strong>Analisa deskriptif dari tes schirmer I frekuensi sindroma mata kering lebih tinggi pada responden yang mengkonsumsi obat antihipertensi dari pada responden yang tidak minum obat antihipertensi. Hasil analisa statistik menggunakan uji chi-square signifikansinya yaitu sebesar &lt;0,001 atau dapat dikatakan bahwa p&lt;α (0,05), menunjukkan ada pengaruh pemberian obat antihipertensi terhadap sindroma mata kering yang berdasarkan tes Schirmer pada pasien Hipertensi di wilayah kerja puskesmas Jagir  kota Surabaya.</p><p><strong>Simpulan : </strong>Penggunaan obat antihipertensi berpengaruh terhadap sindroma mata kering pada penderita hipertensi di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Jagir kota Surabaya</p><p><strong>Kata Kunci : </strong>Sindroma mata kering, obat antihipertensi, hipertensi</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Hypertension prevalence in Indonesia is increasing to reach 25.8% in the population aged 18 years and over. Amlodipine is one of the drugs for hypertension therapy which is included in the Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) class. The use of antihypertensive medication itself is one of the risk factors that cause dry eye syndrome.</p><p><strong>Purpose</strong>: This study aims to determine the effect of the use of antihypertensive drugs on dry eye syndrome in patients with hypertension at Jagir Public Health Center in Surabaya working area.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This study was an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional method. The subjects in this study were 48 respondents found divided into 2 groups namely, the group taking antihypertensive drugs&gt; 6 months and not taking medication. The DEQ-5 questionnaire was completed and Schirmer I was examined.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Descriptive analysis of the Schirmer I test for the frequency of dry eye syndrome was higher in respondents who took antihypertensive drugs than those who did not take antihypertensive drugs. The results of statistical analysis using the chi-square test of significance that is equal to &lt;0.001 or it can be said that p &lt;α (0.05), indicates there is an effect of antihypertensive drug administration on dry eye syndrome based on the Schirmer test in hypertension patients at Jagir Public Health Center in Surabaya..</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The use of antihypertensive drugs has an effect on dry eye syndrome in patients with hypertension at the Jagir Public Health Center in Surabaya</p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Dry eye syndrome, antihypertensive drugs, hypertension

Screening at ports of entry for Ebola Virus Disease in England—a descriptive analysis of screening assessment data, 2014–2015

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicki L Boddington ◽  
Sophia Steinberger ◽  
Richard G Pebody
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Screening Assessment

Abstract Background In response to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014 and evidence of spread to other countries, pre-entry screening was introduced by PHE at five major ports of entry in the England. Methods All passengers that entered the England via the five ports returning from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leonne were required to complete a Health Assessment Form and have their temperature taken. The numbers, characteristics and outcomes of these passengers were analysed. Results Between 14 October 2014 and 13 October 2015, a total of 12 648 passengers from affected countries had been screened. The majority of passengers were assessed as having no direct contact with EVD cases or high-risk events (12 069, 95.4%), although 535 (4.2%) passengers were assessed as requiring public health follow-up. In total, 39 passengers were referred directly to secondary care, although none were diagnosed with EVD. One high-risk passenger was later referred to secondary care and diagnosed with EVD. Conclusions Collection of these screening data enabled timely monitoring of the numbers and characteristics of passengers screened for EVD, facilitated resourcing decisions and acted as a mechanism to inform passengers of the necessary public health actions.

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