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Grau-Pujol B, Vieira Martins J, Goncalves I, Rodrigues F, de Sousa R, Oliveira D, Bettencourt J, Mendes D, Mateus de Cunha I, Pocinho S, Firme A, Dos Santos BE, Peralta Santos A, Albuquerque MJ, Pinto-Leite P, Tato Marinho R, Vasconcelos P. Task Force for a rapid response to an outbreak of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children in Portugal in 2022. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300171. [PMID: 37733237 PMCID: PMC10515495 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.38.2300171] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
On 5 April 2022, the United Kingdom reported an increase of cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children, several needing hospitalisation and some required liver transplant or died. Thereafter, 35 countries reported probable cases, almost half of them in Europe. Facing the alert, on 28 April, Portugal created a multidisciplinary Task Force (TF) for rapid detection of probable cases and response. The experts of the TF came from various disciplines: clinicians, laboratory experts, epidemiologists, public health experts and national and international communication. Moreover, Portugal adopted the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) case definition and recommendations. By 31 December 2022, 28 probable cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology were reported: 16 male and 17 aged under 2 years. Of these cases, 23 were hospitalised but none required liver transplant or died. Adenovirus was detected from nine of 26 tested cases. No association was observed between adenovirus infection and hospital admission after adjusting for age, sex and region in a binomial regression model. The TF in Portugal may have contributed to increase awareness among clinicians, enabling early detection and prompt management of the outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Grau-Pujol
- ECDC Fellowship Programme, Field Epidemiology path (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
- Directorate of Information and Analysis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
- Center for Public Health Emergencies, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Vieira Martins
- Directorate of Information and Analysis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Goncalves
- Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Rodrigues
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita de Sousa
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Dina Oliveira
- Division of Sexual, Reproductive, Child and Youth Health, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Bettencourt
- National Program for Viral Hepatitis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diana Mendes
- Division of Communication and Public Relationships, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Mateus de Cunha
- Center for Public Health Emergencies, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Pocinho
- Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Firme
- Center for Public Health Emergencies, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - André Peralta Santos
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Directorate of Information and Analysis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Albuquerque
- Directorate of Information and Analysis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pinto-Leite
- Directorate of Information and Analysis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui Tato Marinho
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula Vasconcelos
- Center for Public Health Emergencies, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
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Perrocheau A, Jephcott F, Asgari-Jirhanden N, Greig J, Peyraud N, Tempowski J. Investigating outbreaks of initially unknown aetiology in complex settings: findings and recommendations from 10 case studies. Int Health 2023; 15:537-546. [PMID: 36630891 PMCID: PMC10472873 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihac088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outbreaks of unknown aetiology in complex settings pose challenges and there is little information about investigation methods. We reviewed investigations into such outbreaks to identify methods favouring or impeding identification of the cause. METHODS We used two approaches: reviewing scientific literature and soliciting key informants. Case studies were developed through interviews with people involved and triangulated with documents available from the time of the investigation. RESULTS Ten outbreaks in African or Asian countries within the period 2007-2017 were selected. The cause was identified in seven, of which two had an unclear mode of transmission, and in three, neither origin nor transmission mode was identified. Four events were caused by infectious agents and three by chemical poisoning. Despite differences in the outbreaks, similar obstacles were noted: incomplete or delayed description of patients, comorbidities confounding clinical pictures and case definitions wrongly attributed. Repeated rounds of data collection and laboratory investigations were common and there was limited capacity to ship samples. DISCUSSION It was not possible to define activities that led to prompt identification of the cause in the case studies selected. Based on the observations, we conclude that basing case definitions on precise medical observations, implementing initial comprehensive data collection, including environmental, social and behavioural information; and involving local informants could save precious time and hasten implementation of control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Perrocheau
- Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
| | - Freya Jephcott
- Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
| | - Nima Asgari-Jirhanden
- Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, World Health Organization, New Delhi 110 001, India
| | - Jane Greig
- Manson unit, Médecins Sans Frontières, London EC4A 1AB, UK
| | - Nicolas Peyraud
- Médecins Sans Frontières International, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
| | - Joanna Tempowski
- Chemical Safety and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva 1211, United Kingdom
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Astill GM, Kuchler F, Todd JE, Page ET. Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 and Romaine Lettuce: Source Labeling, Prevention, and Business. Am J Public Health 2020; 110:322-328. [PMID: 31944843 PMCID: PMC7002929 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2019.305476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
From May to November most romaine lettuce shipments in the United States come from California's Central Coast region, whereas from December to April most come from the Yuma, Arizona, region. During 2017-2018, the 3 outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 in US romaine lettuce all occurred at the tail end of a region's production season. During the fall 2018 outbreak, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that suppliers begin labeling romaine packaging so that consumers can identify the product's harvest region.We used publicly available data to show that labels may not avert many illnesses in future outbreaks but may reduce suppliers' financial losses and reduce food loss.Market data available during both 2018 outbreak investigations showed that there was no romaine production from one of the 2 regions when the first illness onset occurred. That is, at the beginning of an outbreak investigation, market data may allow the FDA to quickly rule out an entire production region as a source of contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M Astill
- Gregory M. Astill is with the Markets and Trade Economics Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Kansas City, MO. Fred Kuchler, Jessica E. Todd, and Elina T. Page are with the Food Economics Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
| | - Fred Kuchler
- Gregory M. Astill is with the Markets and Trade Economics Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Kansas City, MO. Fred Kuchler, Jessica E. Todd, and Elina T. Page are with the Food Economics Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
| | - Jessica E Todd
- Gregory M. Astill is with the Markets and Trade Economics Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Kansas City, MO. Fred Kuchler, Jessica E. Todd, and Elina T. Page are with the Food Economics Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
| | - Elina T Page
- Gregory M. Astill is with the Markets and Trade Economics Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Kansas City, MO. Fred Kuchler, Jessica E. Todd, and Elina T. Page are with the Food Economics Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
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Rebmann T, Kunerth AK, Zelicoff A, Elliott MB, Wieldt HF. Missouri K-12 school collection and reporting of school-based syndromic surveillance data: a cross sectional study. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:103. [PMID: 26830343 PMCID: PMC4736256 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2771-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND School participation in collecting and reporting syndromic surveillance (SS) data to public health officials and school nurses' attitudes regarding SS have not been assessed. METHODS An online survey was sent to Missouri Association of School Nurses members during the 2013/2014 school year to assess whether K-12 schools were collecting and reporting SS data. Z-scores were used to assess collection versus reporting of SS indicators. Logistic regressions were used to describe factors predicting nurses' collection and reporting of SS indicators: all-cause absenteeism, influenza-like illness and gastrointestinal illness. Univariate predictors were assessed with Chi-Squares. RESULTS In total, 133 school nurses participated (33.6 % response rate). Almost all (90.2 %, n = 120) collect at least one SS indicator; half (49.6 %, n = 66) report at least one. Schools are collecting more SS data than they are reporting to the health department (p < .05 for all comparisons). Determinants of school nurses' collection of SS data included perceived administrative support, and knowledge of collecting and analyzing SS data. The strongest predictive factors for reporting SS data were the perception that the health department was interested in SS data and being approached by the health department to collect SS data. CONCLUSION Schools are collecting SS indicators at a relatively high rate, yet less than half of the data is reported to public health officials. Findings from this study indicate that public health officials can increase access to school-based SS data by approaching schools about collecting and reporting this important data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri Rebmann
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Institute for Biosecurity, Saint Louis University, College for Public Health & Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Avenue Room 463, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
| | - Allison K Kunerth
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Institute for Biosecurity, Saint Louis University, College for Public Health & Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Avenue Room 463, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
| | - Alan Zelicoff
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Institute for Biosecurity, Saint Louis University, College for Public Health & Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Avenue Room 463, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
| | - Michael B Elliott
- Department of Biostatistics, Saint Louis University, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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Pimple KD. Health Information in the Background: Justifying Public Health Surveillance Without Patient Consent. EMERGING PERVASIVE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (PICT) 2013; 11:39-53. [PMCID: PMC7121634 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-6833-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Often we think of collecting, storing, and using health data without patient consent as unethical and illegal. However, there are situations where the collection of health information without consent is not only ethical and legal, it is essential for community and public health. Public health surveillance – the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health-related data with the a priori purpose of preventing or controlling disease or injury, or identifying unusual events of public health importance, followed by the dissemination and use of information for public health action – allows the government to meet its ethical obligation to protect the health of the population. By adhering to public health ethics principles, public health surveillance systems, including pervasive information and computing technology (PICT), can be designed and implemented in ways that both honor individuals and protect communities.
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