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Miranda MNS, Pingarilho M, Pimentel V, Torneri A, Seabra SG, Libin PJK, Abecasis AB. A Tale of Three Recent Pandemics: Influenza, HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:889643. [PMID: 35722303 PMCID: PMC9201468 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.889643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases are one of the main threats to public health, with the potential to cause a pandemic when the infectious agent manages to spread globally. The first major pandemic to appear in the 20th century was the influenza pandemic of 1918, caused by the influenza A H1N1 strain that is characterized by a high fatality rate. Another major pandemic was caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), that started early in the 20th century and remained undetected until 1981. The ongoing HIV pandemic demonstrated a high mortality and morbidity rate, with discrepant impacts in different regions around the globe. The most recent major pandemic event, is the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has caused over 5.7 million deaths since its emergence, 2 years ago. The aim of this work is to highlight the main determinants of the emergence, epidemic response and available countermeasures of these three pandemics, as we argue that such knowledge is paramount to prepare for the next pandemic. We analyse these pandemics’ historical and epidemiological contexts and the determinants of their emergence. Furthermore, we compare pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions that have been used to slow down these three pandemics and zoom in on the technological advances that were made in the progress. Finally, we discuss the evolution of epidemiological modelling, that has become an essential tool to support public health policy making and discuss it in the context of these three pandemics. While these pandemics are caused by distinct viruses, that ignited in different time periods and in different regions of the globe, our work shows that many of the determinants of their emergence and countermeasures used to halt transmission were common. Therefore, it is important to further improve and optimize such approaches and adapt it to future threatening emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda N S Miranda
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical/Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT/UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Pingarilho
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical/Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT/UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Victor Pimentel
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical/Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT/UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andrea Torneri
- Artificial Intelligence Lab, Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofia G Seabra
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical/Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT/UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pieter J K Libin
- Artificial Intelligence Lab, Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Interuniversity Institute of Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ana B Abecasis
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical/Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT/UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
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Peytremann A, Senn N, Mueller Y. Infection prevention and control measures in practices of the Swiss sentinel network during seasonal influenza epidemics. J Hosp Infect 2020; 106:786-792. [PMID: 32891687 PMCID: PMC7470729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Background There are limited data on the transmission of influenza in the context of primary care practices, despite the fact that a significant proportion of the population consult their primary care physician for an influenza-like illness every year. Aim To describe the use of influenza prevention and control methods in private practices of the Swiss sentinel network. Methods This online cross-sectional survey collected data about infection prevention and control measures in the 166 private practices of the Swiss sentinel surveillance network during the 2018–2019 influenza season. Questions pertained to the practice setting, infection prevention and control recommendations, influenza vaccination status of the physicians and their staff, adhesion to hand hygiene, and mask wearing. Findings Among the 122 practices that answered (response rate 73.5%), 90.2% of the responding physicians had been vaccinated themselves, and 46.7% (56/120) estimated that their staff vaccination coverage was >60%, although it was offered to employees in all practices. Most practices (N=68, 55.7%) had no specific recommendations for their staff concerning mask wearing. Most physicians reported washing or disinfecting their hands before examining a patient (N=91, 74.6%), after examination (N=110, 90.2%) and before a medical procedure (N=112, 91.8%). However, this rate was lower for arrival at the practice (N=78, 63.9%) and leaving the practice (N=83, 68.0%). Conclusion Most physicians in the Swiss sentinel surveillance network have been vaccinated themselves. However, the vaccination rates among their staff are low, despite vaccine availability. Hand hygiene measures were also suboptimal. These results warrant further efforts to implement infection prevention and control measures in the ambulatory setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Peytremann
- Faculty of Medicine and Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Family Medicine, Unisanté - University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - N Senn
- Department of Family Medicine, Unisanté - University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Y Mueller
- Department of Family Medicine, Unisanté - University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Barratt R, Gilbert GL, Shaban RZ, Wyer M, Hor SY. Enablers of, and barriers to, optimal glove and mask use for routine care in the emergency department: an ethnographic study of Australian clinicians. Australas Emerg Care 2019; 23:105-113. [PMID: 31810897 PMCID: PMC7104090 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background The risk of healthcare-acquired infection increases during outbreaks of novel infectious diseases. Emergency department (ED) clinicians are at high risk of exposure to both these and common communicable diseases. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended to protect clinicians from acquiring, or becoming vectors of, infection, yet compliance is typically sub-optimal. Little is known about factors that influence use of PPE—specifically gloves and masks—during routine care in the ED. Methods This was an ethnographic study, incorporating documentation review, field observations and interviews. The theoretical domains framework (TDF) was used to aid thematic analysis and identify relevant enablers of and barriers to optimal PPE use. Results Thirty-one behavioural themes were identified that influenced participants’ use of masks and gloves. There were significant differences, namely: more reported enablers of glove use vs more barriers to mask use. Reasons included more positive unit culture towards glove use, and lower perception of risk via facial contamination. Conclusion Emerging infectious diseases, spread (among other routes) by respiratory droplets, have caused global outbreaks. Emergency clinicians should ensure that, as with gloves, the use of masks is incorporated into routine cares where appropriate. Further research which examines items of PPE independently is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Barratt
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead Hospital, Cnr Hawkesbury Road and, Darcy Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Gwendolyn L Gilbert
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead Hospital, Cnr Hawkesbury Road and, Darcy Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, 92/94 Parramatta Rd, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Ramon Z Shaban
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead Hospital, Cnr Hawkesbury Road and, Darcy Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Australia; University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance Directorate, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead Hospital, Cnr Hawkesbury Road and, Darcy Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Mary Wyer
- University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, 92/94 Parramatta Rd, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Su-Yin Hor
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, 92/94 Parramatta Rd, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Centre for Health Services Management, Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
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