scholarly journals The role of dedicated biocontainment patient care units in preparing for COVID-19 and other infectious disease outbreaks

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Jade B. Flinn ◽  
Noreen A. Hynes ◽  
Lauren M. Sauer ◽  
Lisa L. Maragakis ◽  
Brian T. Garibaldi
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Unit Operations ◽  
The Us

Abstract In response to the Ebola outbreak of 2014–2016, the US Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) established 10 regional treatment centers, called biocontainment units (BCUs), to prepare and provide care for patients infected with high-consequence pathogens. Many of these BCUs were among the first units to activate for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient care. The activities of the Johns Hopkins BCU helped prepare the Johns Hopkins Health System for COVID-19 in the 3 domains of containment care: (1) preparedness planning, education and training, (2) patient care and unit operations, and (3) research and innovation. Here, we describe the role of the JH BCU in the Hopkins COVID-19 response to illustrate the value of BCUs in the current pandemic and their potential role in preparing healthcare facilities and health systems for future infectious disease threats.

scholarly journals Natural disasters and infectious disease in Europe: a literature review to identify cascading risk pathways

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 928-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan E Suk ◽  
Eleanor C Vaughan ◽  
Robert G Cook ◽  
Jan C Semenza
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Cascading Effects ◽  
Cascading Effect ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Post Disaster

Abstract Background Natural disasters are increasing in their frequency and complexity. Understanding how their cascading effects can lead to infectious disease outbreaks is important for developing cross-sectoral preparedness strategies. The review focussed on earthquakes and floods because of their importance in Europe and their potential to elucidate the pathways through which natural disasters can lead to infectious disease outbreaks. Methods A systematic literature review complemented by a call for evidence was conducted to identify earthquake or flooding events in Europe associated with potential infectious disease events. Results This review included 17 peer-reviewed papers that reported on suspected and confirmed infectious disease outbreaks following earthquakes (4 reports) or flooding (13 reports) in Europe. The majority of reports related to food- and water-borne disease. Eleven studies described the cascading effect of post-disaster outbreaks. The most reported driver of disease outbreaks was heavy rainfall, which led to cross-connections between water and other environmental systems, leading to the contamination of rivers, lakes, springs and water supplies. Exposure to contaminated surface water or floodwater following flooding, exposure to animal excreta and post-disaster living conditions were among other reported drivers of outbreaks. Conclusions The cascade effects of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, include outbreaks of infectious disease. The projection that climate change-related extreme weather events will increase in Europe in the coming century highlights the importance of strengthening preparedness planning and measures to mitigate and control outbreaks in post-disaster settings.

scholarly journals To what extent does evidence support decision making during infectious disease outbreaks? A scoping literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreea Salajan ◽  
Svetla Tsolova ◽  
Massimo Ciotti ◽  
Jonathan E. Suk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Expert Advice ◽  
Scientific Uncertainty ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Background:Infectious disease outbreaks require decision makers to make rapid decisions under time pressure and situations of scientific uncertainty, and yet the role of evidence usage in these contexts is poorly understood. Aims and objectives:To define and contextualise the role of scientific evidence in the governance of infectious disease outbreaks and to identify recommendations for overcoming common barriers to evidence-informed decision making. Methods:A scoping review and an expert workshop to provide additional input into recommendations on enhancing evidence uptake during infectious disease outbreaks taking place in European settings. Findings:Forty-nine records reporting on multiple decision-making processes during infectious disease outbreaks of the past ten years were included in the study. Decision makers prioritise expert advice, epidemiological data and mathematical modelling data for risk characterisation and management, but tend to be challenged by scientific uncertainties, which allow for conflicting interpretations of evidence and for public criticism and contestation of decision-making processes. There are concrete opportunities for optimising evidence usage to improve public health policy and practice through investment in decision-making competencies, relationship building, and promoting transparent decision-making processes. Discussion and conclusions:It is not necessarily a disregard of evidence that puts a strain on decision making in health crises, but rather competing interests and the lack of clear, unambiguous and rapidly available evidence for risk characterisation and effectiveness of response measures.The relationship between science and public health decision making is relatively understudied but is deserving of greater attention, so as to ensure that the pursuit of evidence for decision making does not challenge timely and effective crisis management.

The Role of Animal Research in Pandemic Responses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline K Brockhurst ◽  
Jason S Villano
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Animal Research ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Infectious Disease Research ◽  
Spanish Flu ◽  
Epidemic Response ◽  
Major Infectious Disease

The significant advances made by the global scientific community during the COVID-19 pandemic, exemplified by thedevelopment of multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in less than 1 y, were made possible in part because of animal research.Historically, animals have been used to study the characterization, treatment, and prevention of most of the major infectious disease outbreaks that humans have faced. From the advent of modern ‘germ theory’ prior to the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic through the more recent Ebola and Zika virus outbreaks, research that uses animals has revealed or supported key discoveries in disease pathogenesis and therapy development, helping to save lives during crises. Here we summarize the role of animal research in past pandemic and epidemic response efforts, as well as current and future considerations for animal research in the context of infectious disease research.

scholarly journals On the relationships between COVID-19 and extended urbanization

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Creighton Connolly ◽  
S Harris Ali ◽  
Roger Keil
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Emerging Infectious Disease ◽  
Ecological Relationships ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

This commentary focuses on the relationship between extensive forms of urbanization and emerging infectious disease, using empirical examples from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, it examines the role of shifting urban-ecological relationships, infrastructures, and governance dynamics in both giving rise to, and mitigating, the impact of infectious disease outbreaks.

scholarly journals Conflict and COVID-19 in Yemen: beyond the humanitarian crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alsabri ◽  
Ayman Alhadheri ◽  
Luai M. Alsakkaf ◽  
Jennifer Cole
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Civil War ◽  
Working Condition ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Humanitarian Crisis ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Infections Diseases

Abstract Background Yemen has been left in shambles and almost destroyed by its devastating civil war, and is now having to deal with the spread of coronavirus. The Yemeni people have been are left to fend for themselves and faced many problems such as hunger, the ongoing war, infections, diseases and lack of equipment even before the COVID-19 pandemic. All together it is a humanitarian crisis. Only around 50% of the hospitals and healthcare facilities are in full working condition, and even those that are functioning are operating at nowhere near full potential. Healthcare staff and facilities lack necessary essential equipment and money. Conclusion As, sadly, is common in conflict-affected regions, the violence has brought with it a secondary disaster of infectious disease outbreaks. Yemen is not only battling COVID-19 amid a catastrophic war, but also has to deal with other diseases such as cholera, diphtheria and measles. A number of key measures are needed to support the current efforts against this deadly epidemic and its potential subsequent waves as well as to prevent further epidemics in Yemen.

scholarly journals Using rapid online surveys to assess perceptions during infectious disease outbreaks: a cross-sectional survey on Covid-19 among the general public in the United States and United Kingdom

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Geldsetzer
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Household Income ◽  
General Public ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
The United States ◽  
Online Surveys ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
The Us ◽  
Total Household Income ◽  
The Uk

AbstractBackgroundGiven the extensive time needed to conduct a nationally representative household survey and the commonly low response rate in phone surveys, rapid online surveys may be a promising method to assess and track knowledge and perceptions among the general public during fast-moving infectious disease outbreaks.ObjectiveTo apply rapid online surveying to determine knowledge and perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) among the general public in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).MethodsAn online questionnaire was administered to 3,000 adults residing in the US and 3,000 adults residing in the UK who had registered with Prolific Academic to participate in online research. Strata by age (18 - 27, 28 - 37, 38 - 47, 48 - 57, or ≥58 years), sex (male or female), and ethnicity (White, Black or African American, Asian or Asian Indian, Mixed, or “Other”), and all permutations of these strata, were established. The number of participants who could enrol in each of these strata was calculated to reflect the distribution in the US and UK general population. Enrolment into the survey within the strata was on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants completed the questionnaire between February 23 and March 2 2020.Results2,986 and 2,988 adults residing in the US and the UK, respectively, completed the questionnaire. 64.4% (1,924/2,986) of US and 51.5% (1,540/2,988) of UK participants had a tertiary education degree. 67.5% (2,015/2,986) of US participants had a total household income between $20,000 and $99,999, and 74.4% (2,223/2,988) of UK participants had a total household income between £15,000 and £74,999. US and UK participants’ median estimate for the probability of a fatal disease course among those infected with SARS-CoV-2 was 5.0% (IQR: 2.0% – 15.0%) and 3.0% (IQR: 2.0% – 10.0%), respectively. Participants generally had good knowledge of the main mode of disease transmission and common symptoms of Covid-19. However, a substantial proportion of participants had misconceptions about how to prevent an infection and the recommended care-seeking behavior. For instance, 37.8% (95% CI: 36.1% – 39.6%) of US and 29.7% (95% CI: 28.1% – 31.4%) of UK participants thought that wearing a common surgical mask was ‘highly effective’ in protecting them from acquiring Covid-19. 25.6% (95% CI: 24.1% – 27.2%) of US and 29.6% (95% CI: 28.0% – 31.3%) of UK participants thought it prudent to refrain from eating at Chinese restaurants. Around half (53.8% [95% CI: 52.1% – 55.6%] of US and 39.1% [95% CI: 37.4% –40.9%] of UK participants) thought that children were at an especially high risk of death when infected with SARS-CoV-2.ConclusionsThe distribution of participants by total household income and education followed approximately that of the general population. The findings from this online survey could guide information campaigns by public health authorities, clinicians, and the media. More broadly, rapid online surveys could be an important tool in tracking the public’s knowledge and misperceptions during rapidly moving infectious disease outbreaks.

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