1
|
Jaramillo-Ramirez GI, Tacugue MC, Power GM, Qureshi R, Seelig F, Quintero J, Logan JG, Jones RT. A Qualitative Analysis of the Perceptions of Stakeholders Involved in Vector Control and Vector-Borne Disease Research and Surveillance in Orinoquia, Colombia. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:43. [PMID: 38393132 PMCID: PMC10892243 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9020043] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Colombia has a tropical climate and environmental conditions that favour the circulation of most of the known vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Protocols have been established and implemented to address the threats of these diseases, but they are for country-wide use and do not take into consideration the nuances of the different environments of the country. Almost the entire population is vulnerable to infection with one or more VBD. This study aims to characterise the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders involved in vector control and VBDs in the Orinoquia region in Colombia. Two panel discussions, and 12 semi-structured interviews, were conducted. Experts from the Colombian National Health Institute (INS), health secretaries from Meta, Guaviare and Vichada Departments, academic researchers, and individuals from private vector control companies participated. All sessions were recorded, transcribed, and translated, and then subject to thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: involvement, limitations, and recommendations. Results showed that participants are engaged in vector surveillance activities, education, and vector control research. Participants focused on problems of disjointed efforts towards VBD control between health secretaries and the health ministry, as well as societal issues, such as socioeconomic, cultural, and political issues, which became the rationale for the lack of vector control resources. Responses in the panel discussions and interviews overlapped in opinions, and suggested that vector control could be improved through better communication between vector control bodies, strengthened engagement with vulnerable communities, more collaborative actions, and a more balanced distribution of resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Claudelle Tacugue
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Grace M Power
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
| | - Rimsha Qureshi
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Frederik Seelig
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- Global Vector Hub, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Juliana Quintero
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- Division of Population Health and Internal Medicine, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá 110011, Colombia
| | - James G Logan
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Robert T Jones
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- Global Vector Hub, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McCarter MSJ, Self S, Dye-Braumuller KC, Lee C, Li H, Nolan MS. The utility of a Bayesian predictive model to forecast neuroinvasive West Nile virus disease in the United States of America, 2022. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290873. [PMID: 37682897 PMCID: PMC10490885 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Arboviruses (arthropod-borne-viruses) are an emerging global health threat that are rapidly spreading as climate change, international business transport, and landscape fragmentation impact local ecologies. Since its initial detection in 1999, West Nile virus has shifted from being a novel to an established arbovirus in the United States of America. Subsequently, more than 25,000 cases of West Nile neuro-invasive disease have been diagnosed, cementing West Nile virus as an arbovirus of public health importance. Given its novelty in the United States of America, high-risk ecologies are largely underdefined making targeted population-level public health interventions challenging. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ArboNET neuroinvasive West Nile virus data from 2000-2021, this study aimed to predict neuroinvasive West Nile virus human cases at the county level for the contiguous USA using a spatio-temporal Bayesian negative binomial regression model. The model includes environmental, climatic, and demographic factors, as well as the distribution of host species. An integrated nested Laplace approximation approach was used to fit our model. To assess model prediction accuracy, annual counts were withheld, forecasted, and compared to observed values. The validated models were then fit to the entire dataset for 2022 predictions. This proof-of-concept mathematical, geospatial modelling approach has proven utility for national health agencies seeking to allocate funding and other resources for local vector control agencies tackling West Nile virus and other notifiable arboviral agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maggie S. J. McCarter
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| | - Stella Self
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| | - Kyndall C. Dye-Braumuller
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| | - Christopher Lee
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| | - Huixuan Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| | - Melissa S. Nolan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moise IK, Ortiz-Whittingham LR, Omachonu V, Sheskin IM, Patel R, Meguro JAS, Lucas AG, Bice W, Thompson LM. The impact of COVID-19 on service delivery systems: evidence from a survey of United States refugee resettlement agencies. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:535. [PMID: 35459207 PMCID: PMC9026042 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07909-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Key to the US refugee resettlement effort is the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who receive, place, and provide transitional programs and referrals to new and recently resettled refugees. Yet only one rapid assessment study thus far examined the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery systems of US refugee resettlement agencies. This exploratory study describes the capability and preparedness of US refugee resettlement agencies to provide services and care to clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Using both telephone interviews and an internet survey, we assessed the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery, agency capacity, and preparedness of 101 US refugee resettlement agencies. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the dataset, while chi-square (χ2) tests were used to examine relationships by resettlement agency size (number of employees in each agency). RESULTS Despite a temporary pause on refugee admissions, restrictive stay-at-home orders, and refugee travel restrictions, the majority of responding US refugee resettlement agencies continued to provide specialized services and care to resettled refugees and other immigrants. Among the more important findings was that agencies that continued to provide refugee services and care onsite in their existing facilities or office rather than moving such services offsite differed by agency size [χ2 (9.494, n = 101), p < 0.05]. Almost all agencies (93.1%) strongly agreed or agreed that staff have timely access to COVID-19 information. Most of the refugee services were provided offsite (n = 72 agencies, some with multiple offices across the US). CONCLUSIONS US refugee resettlement agencies continued to perform admirably despite a lack of funding. Future research is underway to obtain a more balanced understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on practice or operations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imelda K Moise
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA.
| | - Lola R Ortiz-Whittingham
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Vincent Omachonu
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
| | - Ira M Sheskin
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Roshni Patel
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Julia Ayumi Schmidt Meguro
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Alexia Georgina Lucas
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - William Bice
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Leila Mae Thompson
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dye-Braumuller KC, Gordon JR, McCoy K, Johnson D, Dinglasan R, Nolan MS. Riding the Wave: Reactive Vector-Borne Disease Policy Renders the United States Vulnerable to Outbreaks and Insecticide Resistance. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:401-411. [PMID: 35064260 PMCID: PMC8924968 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Funding for vector-borne disease surveillance, management, and research is cyclical and reactive in the United States. The subsequent effects have yielded gross inequities nationally that unintentionally support recurrent outbreaks. This policy forum is comprised of four primary subsections that collectively identify specific areas for improvement and offer innovative solutions to address national inadequacies in vector borne disease policy and infrastructure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kaci McCoy
- CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, Gainesville, FL, USA
- University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Danielle Johnson
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Rhoel Dinglasan
- CDC Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases, Gainesville, FL, USA
- University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Melissa S Nolan
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kondapaneni R, Malcolm AN, Vazquez BM, Zeng E, Chen TY, Kosinski KJ, Romero-Weaver AL, Giordano BV, Allen B, Riles MT, Killingsworth D, Campbell LP, Caragata EP, Lee Y. Mosquito Control Priorities in Florida-Survey Results from Florida Mosquito Control Districts. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080947. [PMID: 34451411 PMCID: PMC8401384 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Florida lies within a subtropical region where the climate allows diverse mosquito species including invasive species to thrive year-round. As of 2021, there are currently 66 state-approved Florida Mosquito Control Districts, which are major stakeholders for Florida public universities engaged in mosquito research. Florida is one of the few states with extensive organized mosquito control programs. The Florida State Government and Florida Mosquito Control Districts have long histories of collaboration with research institutions. During fall 2020, we carried out a survey to collect baseline data on the current control priorities from Florida Mosquito Control Districts relating to (1) priority control species, (2) common adult and larval control methods, and (3) major research questions to address that will improve their control and surveillance programs. The survey data showed that a total of 17 distinct mosquito species were considered to be priority control targets, with many of these species being understudied. The most common control approaches included truck-mounted ultra-low-volume adulticiding and biopesticide-based larviciding. The districts held interest in diverse research questions, with many prioritizing studies on basic science questions to help develop evidence-based control strategies. Our data highlight the fact that mosquito control approaches and priorities differ greatly between districts and provide an important point of comparison for other regions investing in mosquito control, particularly those with similar ecological settings, and great diversity of potential mosquito vectors, such as in Florida. Our findings highlight a need for greater alignment of research priorities between mosquito control and mosquito research. In particular, we note a need to prioritize filling knowledge gaps relating to understudied mosquito species that have been implicated in arbovirus transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rishi Kondapaneni
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Ashley N. Malcolm
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Brian M. Vazquez
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Eric Zeng
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Tse-Yu Chen
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Kyle J. Kosinski
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Ana L. Romero-Weaver
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Bryan V. Giordano
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Benjamin Allen
- Mosquito Control Division, City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA;
| | - Michael T. Riles
- Beach Mosquito Control District, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, USA;
| | | | - Lindsay P. Campbell
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Eric P. Caragata
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
| | - Yoosook Lee
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA; (R.K.); (A.N.M.); (B.M.V.); (E.Z.); (T.-Y.C.); (K.J.K.); (A.L.R.-W.); (B.V.G.); (L.P.C.); (E.P.C.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Moise IK, Ortiz-Whittingham LR, Omachonu V, Clark M, Xue RD. Fighting mosquito bite during a crisis: capabilities of Florida mosquito control districts during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:687. [PMID: 33832475 PMCID: PMC8027982 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10724-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The stay-at-home orders imposed in early April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in various states complicated mosquito control activities across the United States (US), and Florida was no exception. Mosquito control programs are the first line of defense against mosquito-borne pathogens. The purpose of this study was to examine the capabilities of Florida mosquito programs to implement key mosquito measures during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. METHODS Using a self-administered online survey, we examined the capabilities of all Florida mosquito control programs (both state-approved mosquito districts, N = 63; and open programs, N = 27) at a time when the state of Florida was still under heightened awareness of, stay-at-home orders and planning a phase 1 reopening over the COVID-19 pandemic (June to July 2020). The final sample included mosquito control programs structured as the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) (n = 42), independent tax district (n = 16), municipal (n = 10), and health or emergency department (n = 5). We used descriptive statistics to summarize information about the characteristics of responding programs, their implemented mosquito control and surveillance activities. wWe used bivariate analysis to compare the characteristics of responding programs and the self-reported mosquito measures. RESULTS Of the recruited mosquito control programs, 73 completed the survey (81.1% response rate; 73/90). Of these, 57.5% (n = 42) were Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) mosquito control programs, 21.9% (n = 16) were independent tax district programs, 13.7% (n = 10) were municipal mosquito control programs, and only 6.8% (n = 5) were either health or emergency department mosquito control programs. Except for arbovirus surveillance, most programs either fully or partially performed larval (61.8%) and adult (78.9%) surveillance; most programs conducted species-specific control for Aedes aegypti (85.2%, n = 54), Aedes albopictus (87.3%, n = 55), Culex quinquefasciatus (92.1%, n = 58), and Culex nigripalpus (91.9%, n = 57). CONCLUSIONS Findings underscore the importance of ongoing mosquito control activities, and suggest that Florida mosquito control programs are vigilant and have significant capability to handle potential mosquito-borne disease threats, but arbovirus surveillance systems (laboratory testing of mosquito pools and testing of human and nonhuman specimens for arboviruses) are needed during pandemics as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imelda K. Moise
- Department of Geography, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33124 USA
| | | | - Vincent Omachonu
- Department of Industrial Engineering, 1251 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
| | - Marah Clark
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399 USA
| | - Rui-De Xue
- Anastasia Mosquito Control District, 120 EOC Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32092 USA
| |
Collapse
|