Management of Future Outbreak Risks (Prevention, Control and Treatment)

: Currently, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has transformed into a severe public health crisis and wreaking havoc worldwide. The ongoing pandemic has exposed the public healthcare system's weaknesses and highlighted the urgent need for investments in scientific programs and policies. A comprehensive program utilizing the science and technologydriven strategies combined with well-resourced healthcare organizations appears to be essential for current and future outbreak management.

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Eco-Environmental Aspects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Potential Control Strategies

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073488 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3488

Author(s):

Rashid Nazir ◽

Jawad Ali ◽

Ijaz Rasul ◽

Emilie Widemann ◽

Sarfraz Shafiq

Keyword(s):

Control Strategies ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Noise Pollution ◽

Environmental Aspects ◽

Potential Control ◽

Health Infrastructure ◽

The People ◽

Slum Dwellers ◽

Hospital Wastes ◽

Future Outbreak

A new coronavirus-strain from a zoonotic reservoir (probably bat)—termed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)—has recently claimed more than two million deaths worldwide. Consequently, a burst of scientific reports on epidemiology, symptoms, and diagnosis came out. However, a comprehensive understanding of eco-environmental aspects that may contribute to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread is still missing, and we therefore aim to focus here on these aspects. In addition to human–human direct SARS-CoV-2 transmission, eco-environmental sources, such as air aerosols, different public use objects, hospital wastes, livestock/pet animals, municipal wastes, ventilation facilities, soil and groundwater potentially contribute to SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Further, high temperature and humidity were found to limit the spread of COVID-19. Although the COVID-19 pandemic led to decrease air and noise pollution during the period of lockdown, increased use of masks and gloves is threatening the environment by water and soil pollutions. COVID-19 badly impacted all the socio-economic groups in different capacities, where women, slum dwellers, and the people lacking social protections are the most vulnerable. Finally, sustainable strategies, waste management, biodiversity reclaim, eco-friendly lifestyle, improved health infrastructure and public awareness, were proposed to minimize the COVID-19 impact on our society and environment. These strategies will seemingly be equally effective against any future outbreak.

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Characterizing features of outbreak duration for novel SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

10.1101/2022.01.14.22269288 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Alex D. Washburne ◽

Nathaniel Hupert ◽

Nicole Kogan ◽

William Hanage ◽

Mauricio Santillana

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Real Time Identification ◽

Fine Tune ◽

Future Outbreak

Characterizing the dynamics of epidemic trajectories is critical to understanding the potential impacts of emerging outbreaks and to designing appropriate mitigation strategies. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, however, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern has complicated our ability to assess in real-time the potential effects of imminent outbreaks, such as those presently caused by the Omicron variant. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks across regions exhibit strain-specific times from onset to peak, specifically for Delta and Omicron variants. Our findings may facilitate real-time identification of peak medical demand and may help fine-tune ongoing and future outbreak mitigation deployment efforts.

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Correlation between Preventive Health Behaviors and Psycho-Social Health Based on the Leisure Activities of South Koreans in the COVID-19 Crisis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17114066 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 4066 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Young-Jae Kim ◽

Jeong-Hyung Cho

Keyword(s):

Government Policy ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Social Health ◽

Preventive Behavior ◽

Preventive Behaviors ◽

Preventive Health Behaviors ◽

Opposite Sex ◽

The Government ◽

Future Outbreak

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented damage worldwide, and quarantine and lockdown measures have been undertaken globally. This study focused on the differences in preventive behaviors and psycho-social health of South Koreans, as people continue engaging in leisure activities under self-regulation without a lockdown measure imposed by the government. For the sample, the frame of the “2018 Population and Housing Census” in South Korea was applied, and data from 1770 people were analyzed. The results showed that the groups participating in culture and arts and social activities displayed characteristics with high prevention. Additionally, the groups that continued leisure activities for more than five years and with family showed high preventive behaviors. Meanwhile, participation in leisure activities with friends of the opposite sex lowered preventive behavior. In terms of psycho-social health, all groups were affiliated to the potential stress group and there were no differences in the period and participation time for leisure activities. Furthermore, the group participating in leisure activities with their school and group experienced psychological stability. When lockdown measures are eased, the aforementioned characteristics should be considered to design government policy; they can also be used as a reference for public health in case of a future outbreak of an epidemic.

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