Addressing Operational Challenges Faced by COVID-19 Public Health Rapid Response Teams in Non-United States Settings

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global response underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach that integrates and coordinates various public health systems-surveillance, laboratory, and health-care systems/networks, among others-as part of a larger emergency response system. Multidisciplinary public health rapid response teams (RRTs) are one mechanism used within a larger COVID-19 outbreak response strategy. As COVID-19 RRTs are deployed, countries are facing operational challenges in optimizing their RRT's impact, while ensuring the safety of their RRT responders. From March to May 2020, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received requests from 12 countries for technical assistance related to COVID-19 RRTs and emergency operations support. Challenges included: (1) an insufficient number of RRT responders available for COVID-19 deployments; (2) limited capacity to monitor RRT responders' health, safety, and resiliency; (3) difficulty converting critical in-person RRT operational processes to remote information technology platforms; and (4) stigmatization of RRT responders hindering COVID-19 interventions. Although geographically and socioeconomically diverse, these 12 countries experienced similar RRT operational challenges, indicating potential applicability to other countries. As the response has highlighted the critical need for immediate and effective implementation measures, addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring an impactful and sustainable COVID-19 response strategy globally.

Challenges in Public Health Rapid Response Team Management

The International Health Regulations (2005) dictate the need for states parties to establish capacity to respond promptly and effectively to public health risks. Public health rapid response teams (RRTs) can fulfill this need as a component of a larger public health emergency response infrastructure. However, lack of a standardized approach to establishing and managing RRTs can lead to substantial delays in effective response measures. As part of the Global Health Security Agenda, national governments have sought to develop and more formally institute their RRTs. RRT challenges were identified from 21 countries spanning 4 continents from 2016 to 2018 through direct observation of RRTs deployed during public health emergencies, discussions with RRT managers involved in outbreak response, and during formal RRT management training workshops. One major challenge identified is the development and maintenance of an RRT roster to ensure deployable surge staff identification, selection, and availability. Another challenge is ensuring that RRT members are trained and have the relevant competencies to be effective in the field. Finally, the lack of defined RRT standard operating procedures covering both nonemergency maintenance measures and the multistage emergency response processes required for RRT function can delay the RRT's response time and effectiveness. These findings highlight the importance of planning to preemptively address these challenges to ensure rapid and effective response measures, ultimately strengthening global health security.

Trends and Characteristics of CDC Global Rapid Response Team Deployments-A 6-Month Report, October 2018-March 2019

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Global Rapid Response Team (GRRT) was launched in June 2015 to strengthen the capacity for international response and to provide an agency-wide roster of qualified surge-staff members who can deploy on short notice and for long durations. To assess GRRT performance and inform future needs for CDC and partners using rapid response teams, we analyzed trends and characteristics of GRRT responses and responders, for deployments of at least 1 day during October 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019. One hundred twenty deployments occurred during the study period, corresponding to 2645 person-days. The median deployment duration was 19 days (interquartile range, 5-30 days). Most deployments were related to emergency response (n = 2367 person-days, 90%); outbreaks of disease accounted for almost all deployment time (n = 2419 person-days, 99%). Most deployments were to Africa (n = 1417 person-days, 54%), and epidemiologists were the most commonly deployed technical advisors (n = 1217 person-days, 46%). This case study provides useful information for assessing program performance, prioritizing resource allocation, informing future needs, and sharing lessons learned with other programs managing rapid response teams. GRRT has an important role in advancing the global health security agenda and should continuously be assessed and adjusted to new needs.

Establishment of CDC Global Rapid Response Team to Ensure Global Health Security

The 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease epidemic in West Africa highlighted challenges faced by the global response to a large public health emergency. Consequently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established the Global Rapid Response Team (GRRT) to strengthen emergency response capacity to global health threats, thereby ensuring global health security. Dedicated GRRT staff can be rapidly mobilized for extended missions, improving partner coordination and the continuity of response operations. A large, agencywide roster of surge staff enables rapid mobilization of qualified responders with wide-ranging experience and expertise. Team members are offered emergency response training, technical training, foreign language training, and responder readiness support. Recent response missions illustrate the breadth of support the team provides. GRRT serves as a model for other countries and is committed to strengthening emergency response capacity to respond to outbreaks and emergencies worldwide, thereby enhancing global health security.

Acute Q Fever Case Detection among Acute Febrile Illness Patients, Thailand, 2002-2005

Acute Q fever cases were identified from a hospital-based acute febrile illness study conducted in six community hospitals in rural north and northeast Thailand from 2002 to 2005. Of 1,784 participants that underwent Coxiella burnetii testing, nine (0.5%) participants were identified in this case-series as acute Q fever cases. Eight case-patients were located in one province. Four case-patients were hospitalized. Median age was 13 years (range: 7-69); five were male. The proportion of children with acute Q fever infection was similar to adults (P = 0.17). This previously unrecognized at-risk group, school-age children, indicates that future studies and prevention interventions should target this population. The heterogeneity of disease burden across Thailand and milder clinical presentations found in this case-series should be considered in future studies. As diagnosis based on serology is limited during the acute phase of the disease, other diagnostic options, such as polymerase chain reaction, should be explored to improve acute case detection.

Early Identification and Prevention of the Spread of Ebola in High-Risk African Countries

In the late summer of 2014, it became apparent that improved preparedness was needed for Ebola virus disease (Ebola) in at-risk countries surrounding the three highly affected West African countries (Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia). The World Health Organization (WHO) identified 14 nearby African countries as high priority to receive technical assistance for Ebola preparedness; two additional African countries were identified at high risk for Ebola introduction because of travel and trade connections. To enhance the capacity of these countries to rapidly detect and contain Ebola, CDC established the High-Risk Countries Team (HRCT) to work with ministries of health, CDC country offices, WHO, and other international organizations. From August 2014 until the team was deactivated in May 2015, a total of 128 team members supported 15 countries in Ebola response and preparedness. In four instances during 2014, Ebola was introduced from a heavily affected country to a previously unaffected country, and CDC rapidly deployed personnel to help contain Ebola. The first introduction, in Nigeria, resulted in 20 cases and was contained within three generations of transmission; the second and third introductions, in Senegal and Mali, respectively, resulted in no further transmission; the fourth, also in Mali, resulted in seven cases and was contained within two generations of transmission. Preparedness activities included training, developing guidelines, assessing Ebola preparedness, facilitating Emergency Operations Center establishment in seven countries, and developing a standardized protocol for contact tracing. CDC's Field Epidemiology Training Program Branch also partnered with the HRCT to provide surveillance training to 188 field epidemiologists in Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Senegal to support Ebola preparedness. Imported cases of Ebola were successfully contained, and all 15 priority countries now have a stronger capacity to rapidly detect and contain Ebola.The activities summarized in this report would not have been possible without collaboration with many U.S and international partners (http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/partners.html).

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Risk Factors, and Seroprevalence in Rural Georgian Villages with Known Transmission in 2014

In 2014 the highest annual case count of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was detected in Georgia since surveillance began in 2009. CCHF is a high-fatality hemorrhagic syndrome transmitted by infected ticks and animal blood. In response to this immediate public health threat, we assessed CCHF risk factors, seroprevalence, and CCHF-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the 12 rural villages reporting a 2014 CCHF case, to inform CCHF prevention and control measures. Households were randomly selected for interviewing and serum sample collection. Data were weighted by non-response and gender; percentages reflect weighting. Among 618 respondents, median age was 54.8 years (IQR: 26.5, range: 18.6–101.4); 215 (48.8%) were male. Most (91.5%) participants reported ≥1 CCHF high-risk activity. Of 389 participants with tick exposure, 286 (46.7%) participants handled ticks bare-handed; 65/216 (29.7%) knew the risk. Of 605 respondents, 355 (57.9%) reported animal blood exposure; 32/281 (12.7%) knew the risk. Of 612 responding, 184 (28.8%) knew protective measures against CCHF and tick exposures, but only 54.3% employed the measures. Of 435 serum samples collected, 12 were anti-CCHF IgG positive, indicating a weighted 3.0% seroprevalence. Most (66.7%) seropositive subjects reported tick exposure. In these villages, CCHF risk factors are prevalent, while CCHF-related knowledge and preventive practices are limited; these findings are critical to informing public health interventions to effectively control and prevent ongoing CCHF transmission. Additionally, CCHF seroprevalence is higher than previously detected (0.03%), highlighting the importance of this disease in the South Caucuses and in supporting ongoing regional investigations.

Addressing contact tracing challenges-critical to halting Ebola virus disease transmission

BACKGROUND

Delayed and ineffective contact tracing contributed to the extensive transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the 2014-2015 West African outbreak. Understanding and addressing the challenges to implementing and managing contact tracing is essential to stopping EVD transmission and preventing large-scale EVD outbreaks in the future.

METHODS

Interviews were conducted with United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff members engaged in contact tracing activities in the affected West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Nigeria, and Mali from September through December 2014. Two staff members from each country were interviewed. The five most frequently cited contact tracing challenges were identified.

RESULTS

Challenges have been evident in every step of the contact tracing process from implementation to management, including identifying, locating, and enrolling contact-persons, as well as managing personnel and ensuring contact tracing performance. Common themes observed in all of the affected West African countries have included fear, stigma, and community misperceptions regarding EVD. Countries that have overcome these challenges, ensuring immediate and comprehensive contact tracing, have been successful in halting EVD transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing challenges to contact tracing implementation and management in the West African EVD outbreak is essential to stopping ongoing transmission.

Notes from the field: Increase in reported Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases--country of Georgia, 2014

During January-September 2014, Georgia's National Centers for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) detected 22 cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in the country. CCHF is caused by infection with a tickborne virus of the Bunyaviridae family. Transmission occurs from the bite of an infected tick or from crushing an infected tick with bare skin. Secondary transmission can result from contact with blood or tissues of infected animals and humans. CCHF initially manifests as a nonspecific febrile illness that progresses to a hemorrhagic phase, marked by rapidly developing symptoms leading to multiorgan failure, shock, and death in severe cases. The clinical severity, transmissibility, and infectiousness of CCHF are responsible for its categorization as a viral hemorrhagic fever high-priority bioterrorism agent.

Respondent-driven sampling to assess outcomes of sexual violence: a methodological assessment

Sexual violence is pervasive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Survivors of sexual violence encounter numerous challenges, and women with a sexual violence-related pregnancy (SVRP) face even more complex sequelae. Because of the stigma associated with SVRP, there is no conventional sampling frame and, therefore, a paucity of research on SVRP outcomes. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS), used to study this "hidden" population, uses a peer recruitment sampling system that maintains strict participant privacy and controls and tracks recruitment. If RDS assumptions are met and the sample attains equilibrium, sample weights to correct for biases associated with traditional chain referral sampling can be calculated. Questionnaires were administered to female participants who were raising a child from a SVRP and/or who terminated a SVRP. A total of 852 participants were recruited from October 9, 2012, to November 7, 2012. There was rapid recruitment, and there were long referral chains. The majority of the variables reached equilibrium; thus, trends established in the sample population reflected the target population's trends. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use RDS to study outcomes of sexual violence. RDS was successfully applied to this population and context and should be considered as a sampling methodology in future sexual violence research.

Herniation of the spinal cord. Case report

Herniation of the spinal cord, or displacement of the cord outside the dura, is so rare that only 13 cases have been reported in the literature. The authors report a new case of spontaneous herniation of the spinal cord in a 38-year-old man who presented with lower left limb paresis and Brown-Séquard syndrome, with a T-8 sensory level. Displacement of the spinal cord was noted on computerized tomography following myelography and on magnetic resonance imaging. The herniated cord was confirmed at operation and reduced intradurally. Postoperatively, the patient showed complete neurological recovery. Based on a review of the literature, herniation of the spinal cord may be classified as spontaneous, iatrogenic, or traumatic. At cervical levels, the spinal cord has herniated into an iatrogenic pseudomeningocele located dorsally. At thoracic levels, spinal cord herniations were reported to be in a preexisting extradural arachnoid cyst located ventrally. The authors propose a pathogenesis for spinal cord herniation based on abnormal positioning of the spinal cord in the dural sleeve and the known anteroposterior movements of the cord that occur with cardiac and respiratory pulsations. The presence of a dural defect situated on the concavity of the spinal curvature is a prerequisite for this rare condition. As adhesions develop between the cord and the edges of the dural defect, cerebrospinal fluid pulsations push the cord into a preexisting cyst. The authors suggest modifying the classification by Nabors, et al., of spinal meningeal cysts to include this mechanism of spinal cord herniation. This diagnosis should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of myelopathy in the absence of a mass lesion.

Spinal epidural abscess. A case report and literature review

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare infectious disorder often subject to a delayed diagnosis. This delay can be disastrous, resulting in permanent neurologic dysfunction or death. Surgeons treating patients with spinal disorders must be aware of this condition to avoid confusing it with more frequent spinal problems, eg, herniated lumbar disk. This case report is presented to acquaint or refresh the occasional spinal surgeon with this condition.

Multiple intracranial aneurysms in identical twins

Familial intracranial aneurysms are well documented, with the highest association occurring among siblings. Five pairs of identical twins with subarachnoid hemorrhage have been previously reported. We present the sixth set of identical twins with multiple aneurysms. These cases represent the first report in the literature of multiple mirror aneurysms in identical twins. One twin presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Her sister, who was asymptomatic, had elective angiography which demonstrated multiple aneurysms in locations identical to her sister's aneurysms. In families in which a twin presents with subarachnoid hemorrhage, it is appropriate to recommend angiography to the asymptomatic twin.

Vertebral North American blastomycosis

A single case of back pain due to Blastomyces dermatitidis infection limited solely to the skeleton is reported with a discussion of the differential diagnosis. This rare disease must be differentiated from other destructive bone lesions such as tuberculosis or tumors because of the availability of effective treatment.