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Kannan A, Chen R, Akhtar Z, Sutton B, Quigley A, Morris MJ, MacIntyre CR. Use of Open-Source Epidemic Intelligence for Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Ukraine, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:1865-1871. [PMID: 39173668 PMCID: PMC11346974 DOI: 10.3201/eid3009.240082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Formal infectious disease surveillance in Ukraine has been disrupted by Russia's 2022 invasion, leading to challenges with tracking and containing epidemics. To analyze the effects of the war on infectious disease epidemiology, we used open-source data from EPIWATCH, an artificial intelligence early-warning system. We analyzed patterns of infectious diseases and syndromes before (November 1, 2021-February 23, 2022) and during (February 24-July 31, 2022) the conflict. We compared case numbers for the most frequently reported diseases with numbers from formal sources and found increases in overall infectious disease reports and in case numbers of cholera, botulism, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, rabies, and salmonellosis during compared with before the invasion. During the conflict, although open-source intelligence captured case numbers for epidemics, such data (except for diphtheria) were unavailable/underestimated by formal surveillance. In the absence of formal surveillance during military conflicts, open-source data provide epidemic intelligence useful for infectious disease control.
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Edrees WH, Abdullah QY, Al-Shehari WA, Alrahabi LM, Khardesh AAF. COVID-19 pandemic in Taiz Governorate, Yemen, between 2020 and 2023. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:739. [PMID: 39060993 PMCID: PMC11282764 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09650-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious and causes a series of health problems, particularly in Yemen, which has a fragile healthcare system and cannot handle public health emergencies. AIMS This analysis aimed to determine the epidemiological status of COVID-19 in the Taiz governorate between April 2020 and December 2023. METHODS A retrospective study based on surveillance data from the Taiz governorate was used. The required data were gathered from the Ministry of Health and Population in Aden and analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS Out of 5826 suspected of COVID-19 cases, 1933 (33.18%) cases were positive for COVID-19 infection. The high rates of COVID-19 cases were reported at 35.40% in males, 37.80% in people aged 35-44 years, 47.20% in 2020, 72.73% in Dhubab district, and 27.78% in March 2021. The overall incidence rate of cases was reported at 6.2 per 10,000 people in Taiz governorate (8.85 in males and 3.80 in females). In addition, the high incidence rate of COVID-19 was observed among age groups ≥ 65 years, in 2021, and in Al-Mukha districts. In total, the rate of fatality cases was 14.12%, the higher rate of fatality cases was 15.46% among males and 32.23% among individuals aged ≥ 65 years, and 26.97% in 2020. CONCLUSION In this finding, the incidence rate of COVID-19 is high. It is necessary to increase the public's awareness of the transmission and prevention methods of COVID-19, as well as implement appropriate strategies to protect populations from infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wadhah Hassan Edrees
- Medical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Hajjah University, Hajjah, Yemen.
- Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Al-Razi University, Sana'a, Yemen.
| | - Qais Yusuf Abdullah
- Microbiology/Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
| | | | - Lutf Mohammed Alrahabi
- Medical Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
- Dental Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Sana'a, Yemen
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Jung J, Larsen TM, Beledi AH, Takahashi E, Ahmed AO, Reid J, Kongelf IA. Community-based surveillance programme evaluation using the platform Nyss implemented by the Somali Red Crescent Society-a mixed methods approach. Confl Health 2024; 18:20. [PMID: 38448896 PMCID: PMC10919031 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-024-00578-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), supported by Norwegian Red Cross, has implemented community-based surveillance (CBS) in Somaliland. This methodology aims to reduce the high risk of epidemics by strengthening early warning and response from and at community level, particularly where there is a weak public health surveillance system. CBS is implemented through SRCS community volunteers, who report signals from the community via SMS to the software platform Nyss. This paper presents key findings from the CBS programme evaluation. METHODS A retrospective observational mixed-methods approach to evaluate the CBS programme was conducted, using routine CBS data from 2021 for Awdal and Togdheer regions and qualitative interviews with stakeholders' representatives. RESULTS The usefulness of the CBS programme in preventing, detecting, and responding to disease outbreaks was acknowledged by the stakeholders' representatives. 83% of the signals in Awdal region matched a Community Case Definition (CCD) and were escalated to the Ministry of Health and Development (MoHD)). For Togdheer region, 97% were escalated. Verification of signals by supervisors and escalation to the authorities was done timely.Alert outcome and response action was not well recorded, therefore there is limited evidence on sensitivity. The programme was shown to be simple and can be flexibly adjusted for new diseases and changing CCDs.Stakeholders appreciated being engaged, the good collaboration, their participation throughout the implementation and expressed high acceptance of the programme. CONCLUSION CBS can support early warning and response for a variety of public health risks. Improved documentation for alert outcomes could help to better evaluate the sensitivity of CBS. A participatory approach is vital to achieve successful community volunteer engagement. Software tools, such as the Nyss platform, can be useful to support effective and efficient CBS implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tine Mejdell Larsen
- Norwegian Red Cross, now Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Oslo, Norway
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Sahoo KC, Sahay MR, Dubey S, Nayak S, Negi S, Mahapatra P, Bhattacharya D, Barrio MOD, Pati S. Community engagement and involvement in managing the COVID-19 pandemic among urban poor in low-and middle-income countries: a systematic scoping review and stakeholders mapping. Glob Health Action 2023; 16:2133723. [PMID: 36537837 PMCID: PMC9769144 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2022.2133723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community engagement and involvement (CEI) was crucial for the COVID-19 pandemic response, particularly among the urban poor in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, no evidence synthesis explores how CEI can benefit public health emergencies. OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic scoping review of the CEI with an emphasis on stakeholder identification, accountability mapping, the support system, and the engagement process among urban poor populations in LMICs during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We searched eleven databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL, following the PRISMA-2020 guidelines to find articles published between November 2019 and August 2021. PROSPERO registration No: CRD42021283599. We performed the quality assessment using a mixed-method appraisal tool. We synthesized the findings using thematic framework analysis. RESULTS We identified 6490 records. After the title and abstract screening, 133 studies were selected for full-text review, and finally, we included 30 articles. Many stakeholders were involved in COVID-19 support, particularly for health care, livelihoods, and WASH infrastructure, and their accountability mapping by adopting an interest - influence matrix. This review emphasizes the significance of meaningful CEI in designing and implementing public health efforts for pandemic management among urban slum populations. The interest - influence matrix findings revealed that specific community volunteers, community-based organizations, and civil society organizations had high interest but less influence, indicating that it is necessary to recognize and engage them. CONCLUSION Motivation is crucial for those with high influence but less interest, such as corporate responsibility/conscience and private food supply agencies, for the health system's preparedness plan among urban populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krushna Chandra Sahoo
- Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Mili Roopchand Sahay
- Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Shubhankar Dubey
- Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Subhasish Nayak
- Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Sapna Negi
- Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Pranab Mahapatra
- Department of Psychiatry, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Debdutta Bhattacharya
- Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Mariam Otmani Del Barrio
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sanghamitra Pati
- Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India,CONTACT Sanghamitra Pati Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn), ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha751023, India
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Knust B, Wongjindanon N, Moe AA, Herath L, Kaloy W, Soe TT, Sataranon P, Oo HM, Myat KZ, Win Z, Htet M, Htike M, Sudhiprapha B, Pyone AA, Win TP, Win HZ, Sawatwong P, Watthanaworawit W, Ling C, Gunaratne S, Lynn SA, Bhandari L, Nosten F, Skaggs B. Enhancing Respiratory Disease Surveillance to Detect COVID-19 in Shelters for Displaced Persons, Thailand-Myanmar Border, 2020-2021. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:S17-S25. [PMID: 36502383 PMCID: PMC9745244 DOI: 10.3201/eid2813.220324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed surveillance guidance for COVID-19 in 9 temporary camps for displaced persons along the Thailand-Myanmar border. Arrangements were made for testing of persons presenting with acute respiratory infection, influenza-like illness, or who met the Thailand national COVID-19 Person Under Investigation case definition. In addition, testing was performed for persons who had traveled outside of the camps in outbreak-affected areas or who departed Thailand as resettling refugees. During the first 18 months of surveillance, May 2020-October 2021, a total of 6,190 specimens were tested, and 15 outbreaks (i.e., >1 confirmed COVID-19 cases) were detected in 7 camps. Of those, 5 outbreaks were limited to a single case. Outbreaks during the Delta variant surge were particularly challenging to control. Adapting and implementing COVID-19 surveillance measures in the camp setting were successful in detecting COVID-19 outbreaks and preventing widespread disease during the initial phase of the pandemic in Thailand.
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McGowan CR, Takahashi E, Romig L, Bertram K, Kadir A, Cummings R, Cardinal LJ. Community-based surveillance of infectious diseases: a systematic review of drivers of success. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-009934. [PMID: 35985697 PMCID: PMC9396156 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Community-based surveillance may improve early detection and response to disease outbreaks by leveraging the capacity of community members to carry out surveillance activities within their communities. In 2021, the WHO published a report detailing the evidence gaps and research priorities around community-centred approaches to health emergencies. In response, we carried out a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence describing the drivers of success of community-based surveillance systems. Methods We included grey literature and peer-reviewed sources presenting empirical findings of the drivers of success of community-based surveillance systems for the detection and reporting of infectious disease-related events. We searched for peer-reviewed literature via MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, SCOPUS and ReliefWeb. We carried out grey literature searches using Google Search and DuckDuckGo. We used an evaluation quality checklist to assess quality. Results Nineteen sources (17 peer-reviewed and 2 grey literature) met our inclusion criteria. Included sources reported on community-based surveillance for the detection and reporting of a variety of diseases in 15 countries (including three conflict settings). The drivers of success were grouped based on factors relating to: (1) surveillance workers, (2) the community, (3) case detection and reporting, (4) and integration. Discussion The drivers of success were found to map closely to principles of participatory community engagement with success factors reflecting high levels of acceptability, collaboration, communication, local ownership, and trust. Other factors included: strong supervision and training, a strong sense of responsibility for community health, effective engagement of community informants, close proximity of surveillance workers to communities, the use of simple and adaptable case definitions, quality assurance, effective use of technology, and the use of data for real-time decision-making. Our findings highlight strategies for improving the design and implementation of community-based surveillance. We suggest that investment in participatory community engagement more broadly may be a key surveillance preparedness activity. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022303971.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine R McGowan
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Emi Takahashi
- Humanitarian Public Health Technical Unit, Save the Children Fund, London, UK
| | - Laura Romig
- Department of Humanitarian Response, Save the Children Federation, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kathryn Bertram
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ayesha Kadir
- Humanitarian Public Health Technical Unit, Save the Children Fund, London, UK
| | - Rachael Cummings
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Humanitarian Department, Save the Children International, London, UK
| | - Laura J Cardinal
- Department of Humanitarian Response, Save the Children Federation, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Ratnayake R, Abdelmagid N, Dooley C. What we do know (and could know) about estimating population sizes of internally displaced people. J Migr Health 2022; 6:100120. [PMID: 35694420 PMCID: PMC9184859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The estimation of population denominators of internally displaced people (IDP) and other crisis-affected populations is a foundational step that facilitates all humanitarian assistance. However, the humanitarian system remains somewhat tolerant of irregular and inaccurate estimates of population size and composition, particularly of IDPs. In this commentary, we review how humanitarian organizations currently approach the estimation of IDP populations, and how field approaches and analytical methodologies can be improved and integrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruwan Ratnayake
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
- Health in Humanitarian Crises Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for the Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nada Abdelmagid
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
- Health in Humanitarian Crises Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Dooley
- Health in Humanitarian Crises Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Population Health, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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