A brief outline of respiratory viral disease outbreaks: 1889–till date on the public health perspectives

ABSTRACT Interdisciplinary public health solutions are vital for an effective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response and recovery. However, there is often a lack of awareness and understanding of the environmental health workforce connections and capabilities. In the United States, this is a foundational function of health departments and is the second largest public health workforce. The primary role is to protect the public from exposures to environmental hazards, disasters, and disease outbreaks. More specifically, this includes addressing risks relating to sanitation, drinking water, food safety, vector control, and mass gatherings. This profession is also recognized in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019. Despite this, the profession is often not considered an essential service. Rapid integration into COVID-19 activities can easily occur as most are government employees and experienced working in complex and stressful situations. This role, for example, could include working with leaders, businesses, workplaces, and churches to safely reopen, and inspections to inform, educate, and empower employers, employees, and the public on safe actions. There is now the legislative support, evidence and a window of opportunity to truly enable interdisciplinary public health solutions by mobilizing the environmental health workforce to support COVID-19 response, recovery, and resilience activities.

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‘All In’: A Pragmatic Framework for COVID-19 Testing and Action on a Global Scale

10.31219/osf.io/b2xmp ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Syril D Pettit ◽

Keith Jerome ◽

David Rouquie ◽

Susan Hester ◽

Leah Wehmas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Global Scale ◽

Material Resource ◽

Public Health Decision ◽

The Public ◽

Health Decision Making ◽

Clinical Community ◽

Health Decision ◽

Broad Consensus

Current demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing is straining material resource and labor capacity around the globe. As a result, the public health and clinical community are hindered in their ability to monitor and contain the spread of COVID-19. Despite broad consensus that more testing is needed, pragmatic guidance towards realizing this objective has been limited. This paper addresses this limitation by proposing a novel and geographically agnostic framework (‘the 4Ps Framework) to guide multidisciplinary, scalable, resource-efficient, and achievable efforts towards enhanced testing capacity. The 4Ps (Prioritize, Propagate, Partition, and Provide) are described in terms of specific opportunities to enhance the volume, diversity, characterization, and implementation of SARS-CoV-2 testing to benefit public health. Coordinated deployment of the strategic and tactical recommendations described in this framework have the potential to rapidly expand available testing capacity, improve public health decision-making in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and/or to be applied in future emergent disease outbreaks.

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Acute Enteric Disease Outbreaks

The CDC Field Epidemiology Manual ◽

10.1093/oso/9780190933692.003.0023 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 421-436

Author(s):

Ian T. Williams ◽

Laura Whitlock ◽

Matthew E. Wise

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

The United States ◽

Foodborne Illness ◽

The Public ◽

Enteric Diseases ◽

Health Community ◽

Public Health Officials ◽

And Control ◽

Investigation Process

Public health officials investigate outbreaks to control them, to prevent additional illnesses, and to learn how to prevent similar outbreaks in the future. The process the public health community uses to detect, investigate, and control enteric (intestinal) disease outbreaks from food, water, and other sources involves certain procedural steps. These include detecting a possible outbreak, defining and finding cases, generating hypotheses about likely sources, testing the hypotheses and evaluating evidence, finding contamination sources, controlling the outbreak, and determining when the outbreak is over. Investigating outbreaks of acute enteric diseases can be a dynamic and complex undertaking involving multiple public health and regulatory partners in different jurisdictions. This chapter provides an overview of the investigation process with an emphasis on multijurisdictional foodborne illness investigations in the United States.

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Zika Virus: A Global Threat

Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal ◽

10.3329/akmmcj.v7i2.31643 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 29-35

Author(s):

Jannatul Fardows ◽

Nasreen Farhana ◽

Abu Bakar Siddique

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Rna Virus ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Febrile Illness ◽

Viral Disease ◽

World Health ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Health Organization ◽

Global Threat

Zika virus is a enveloped, non-segmented, ichoshedral single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus. It belongs to the Flaviviridae and was first isolated in 1947 from a monkey in the Zika forest, Uganda, then in mosquitoes (Aedes africanus) in the same forest in 1948 and in a human in Nigeria in 1952. Before 2007, viral circulation and a few outbreaks were documented in tropical Africa and in some areas in Southeast Asia. In 2015, Zika viral disease outbreaks were reported in Brazil of South America for the first time and it is now considered as an emerging infectious disease. This ongoing outbreak of Zika virus that began in Brazil has spread too much of South and Central America (except Canada and Chile) and the Caribbean. According to the CDC, Brazilian health authorities reported more than 404 cases of microcephaly between October 2015 and January 2016. Seventeen of those cases have a confirmed link to the Zika virus. Its natural reservoir is yet to be unknown. Transmission mainly by mosquito Aedes aegypti but it can be transmitted from human to human by blood transfusion, saliva, urine and sexual contact. Most dangerous transmission is mother to fetus through placenta. Its actual pathogenesis is not clear but the pathogenesis of the virus is hypothesized to start with an infection of dendritic cells near the site of inoculation, followed by a spread to lymph nodes and the bloodstream Other than congenital malformation (microcephaly) disease symptoms are usually mild and short-lasting self-limiting febrile illness of 4-7 days duration without severe complications. No commercial diagnostic method against Zika virus are available. The virus constitutes an important public health threat in America and also worldwide as no effective treatment or vaccine is available till now. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the microcephaly condition, linked to the mosquito-borne virus, a global public health emergency.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 7, No. 2: Jul 2016, P 29-35

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Contact Tracing and Consequences

Inference: International Review of Science ◽

10.37282/991819.21.9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Martin Kulldorff

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Public Health Agencies ◽

The Public ◽

Health Agencies

COVID-19 contact tracing programs are eroding trust between the public and public health agencies—with potential dire consequences for future disease outbreaks in which contact tracing could be critical.

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Impact of Gene Editing Tools, Like CRISPR/Cas9, on the Public Health Response to Disease Outbreaks

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2016.123 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 155-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Samuel M. Pope

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Genome Editing ◽

Gene Editing ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Genetic Alterations ◽

Public Health Response ◽

The Public ◽

Health Response ◽

Health Related ◽

Short And Long Term

AbstractThe purpose of this communication is to explore the implications of genome editing techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9, on public health–related responses to outbreaks of disease. The recent commercialization of genome editing techniques makes the creation and release of genetically altered pathogens a much easier task, increasing the possibility to the point of needing discussion. Three areas need to be addressed: predictions concerning potential genetic alterations, predictions and implications concerning the release of genetically altered pathogens, and the short- and long-term implications of the release of genetically altered pathogens. Full discourse on these topics among professionals in the area of public health will help to combat harm from the use of any genetically altered biologic weapons. The topics covered here include a review of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique, including a discussion of which possibilities utilize genome editing. We then address predictions about the application of gene alterations in the context of bioweapons. We discuss a few basic concepts about the evolution of an intentionally released genetically altered organism based on circumstances and patterns gleaned from observing nature in the hope that this will aid in the public health response to bioterrorism attack. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:155–159)

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Federal Legal Preparedness Tools for Facilitating Medical Countermeasure Use during Public Health Emergencies

The Journal of Law Medicine & Ethics ◽

10.1111/jlme.12033 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. 22-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Brooke Courtney ◽

Susan Sherman ◽

Matthew Penn

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Federal State ◽

The Public ◽

Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽

Public Health Emergencies ◽

Department Of Health ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Temporary Assistance ◽

Medical Countermeasures

Law can greatly facilitate responses to public health emergencies, including naturally-occurring infectious disease outbreaks and intentional or accidental exposures to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) agents. At the federal level, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as the lead for federal public health and medical responses to public health emergencies and incidents, has a range of authorities to support federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial responses. For example, under the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, the Secretary may provide temporary assistance to States to meet health emergency needs or deploy medicine and supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile. The Secretary also may determine that a disease or disorder presents a public health emergency, which may be the first step in triggering other critical legal authorities for response.Since the 2001 anthrax attacks, one focus of public health preparedness has been on developing, distributing, and rapidly dispensing medical countermeasures (MCMs) for CBRN emergencies and pandemics.

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Sharing experiences from a reference laboratory in the public health response for Ebola viral disease, MERS-CoV and H7N9 influenza virus investigations

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.apjtm.2016.01.016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 201-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T.S. Saraswathy Subramaniam ◽

Ravindran Thayan ◽

Mohd Apandi Yusof ◽

Jeyanthi Suppiah ◽

Tengku Rogayah Tg Abd Rashid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Influenza Virus ◽

Viral Disease ◽

Reference Laboratory ◽

Public Health Response ◽

The Public ◽

H7n9 Influenza Virus ◽

Health Response ◽

H7n9 Influenza

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Niger's humanitarian situation looks set to worsen

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db264892 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Food Security ◽

Natural Disaster ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Cholera Outbreak ◽

Content Type ◽

The Public ◽

Permanent Strain ◽

Endemic Malaria ◽

Major Outbreak

Significance On Niger’s side of the border, by September 27 there were over 5,000 cases across six of the country’s eight regions -- numbers exceeding those of the country’s last major outbreak in 2018. The outbreak compounds Niger’s existing health, natural disaster, food security and displacement challenges, all in the world’s poorest country. Impacts The public health crises and other strains add to the worsening insecurity and COVID-19 burdens. Endemic malaria places the rudimentary health system under permanent strain, leaving it ill-equipped to deal with disease outbreaks. Rising levels of displacement could slow down efforts to stem the cholera outbreak.

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COVID-19 Pandemic: Perception, Practices and Preparedness in Nigeria

Pan African Journal of Life Sciences ◽

10.36108/pajols/0202/40(0160) ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 30-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Grace I. Olasehinde ◽

Paul A. Akinduti ◽

Olayemi O. Akinnola ◽

Abiodun F. Ipadeola ◽

Glory P. Adebayo

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Initial Response ◽

Viral Disease ◽

World Health ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

First Case ◽

Health Organization ◽

And Control

Since Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 30th of January, 2020. Nigeria, with 343 cases and 10 deaths as at April 14, 2020 is classified as one of the countries at high risk of importation of the disease from China. The ability to limit and control local transmission after importation depends on the application and execution of strict measures of detection, prevention and control. The initial response of some percentage of the population was of doubt due to the ignorance of the far-reaching effect of the virus. More than 1,700 leaders of religious groups and communities in all 36 States and FCT were therefore sensitized to increase awareness level and consequences of COVID-19 among the populace. Major response activities were initiated before the first case was reported and were upgraded within weeks after the number of cases began to rise. Based on previous experience of perception, and awareness of other viral disease outbreaks, COVID-19 infection prevention and control interventions recommended by WHO are yet to be fully entrenched in the Nigerian public health system in order to reduce the general risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 from infected individuals. There is therefore the need to execute strict measures of detection, prevention and control and drive compliance with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and WHO guidelines in Nigeria.

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