scholarly journals Waterborne outbreak of gastroenteritis on the KwaZulu-Natal Coast, South Africa, December 2016/January 2017

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (10) ◽  
pp. 1318-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Sekwadi ◽  
K. G. Ravhuhali ◽  
A. Mosam ◽  
V. Essel ◽  
G. M. Ntshoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Waterborne Outbreak ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Sewage Contamination ◽  
Contamination Event ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Record Review ◽  
Control Study

AbstractAn unexpected increase in gastroenteritis cases was reported by healthcare workers on the KwaZulu-Natal Coast, South Africa, January 2017 with >600 cases seen over a 3-week period. A case–control study was conducted to identify the source and risk factors associated with the outbreak so as to recommend control and prevention measures. Record review identified cases and controls and structured-telephonic interviews were conducted to obtain exposure history. Stool specimens were collected from 20 cases along with environmental samples and both screened for enteric pathogens. A total of 126 cases and 62 controls were included in the analysis. The odds of developing gastroenteritis were 6.0 times greater among holiday makers than residents (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–17.7). Swimming in the lagoon increased the odds of developing gastroenteritis by 3.3 times (95% CI 1.06–10.38). Lagoon water samples tested positive for norovirus (NoV) GI.6, GII.3 and GII.6, astrovirus and rotavirus. Eleven (55%) stool specimens were positive for NoV with eight genotyped as GI.1 (n = 2), GI.5 (n = 3), GI.6 (n = 2), and GI.7 (n = 1). A reported sewage contamination event impacting the lagoon was the likely source with person-to-person spread perpetuating the outbreak. Restriction to swimming in the lagoon was apparently ineffective at preventing the outbreak, possibly due to inadequate enforcement, communication and signage strategies.

scholarly journals A NOVEL STRAIN OF SHIGELLA SPECIES OUTBREAK IN A RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL IN PEMAGATSHEL, BHUTAN, 2012

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-171
Author(s):  
Tsheten Tsheten ◽  
Dorji Tshering ◽  
Kinley Gyem ◽  
Sangay Dorji ◽  
Sonam Wangchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Source Distribution ◽  
Onset Date ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Predominant Symptom ◽  
Shigella Species ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Boiled Water

Background: A cluster of suspected shigellosis was reported from health center in Pemagatshel district to Royal Center for Disease Control on 14th May 2012. The investigation was done to determine the cause and risk factor for the outbreak so that appropriate control and prevention measures can be implemented.Methods: A descriptive study was used for the outbreak investigation. The food items and drinks served to boarding students were collected from the mess in-charge in order to assess their risk for the outbreak. The kitchen and its premises were inspected to study the likely contamination by rodents and other animals. The water and stool specimens were tested in the laboratory to identify all possible enteric pathogens.Results: 82 boarding students were affected with an overall attack rate of 28% (82/294). Diarrhea was the predominant symptom followed by abdominal pain and headache. The onset date of the cases varied between 11th and 18th May, 2012. Shigella species was isolated from stool specimens that showed resistant to amoxicillin, nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole. Water specimen collected from source, distribution reservoir and tap water at school were found grossly contaminated.Conclusion: The outbreak was caused by novel strain of Shigella species which was not detected earlier in Bhutan. The promotion and provision of boiled water will greatly reduce the incidence of shigellosis especially in boarding facility.

scholarly journals The role of domestic reservoirs in domestically acquiredSalmonellainfections in Norway: epidemiology of salmonellosis, 2000–2015, and results of a national prospective case–control study, 2010–2012

2018 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. MacDonald ◽  
R. White ◽  
R. Mexia ◽  
T. Bruun ◽  
G. Kapperud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Multivariable Model ◽  
The Public ◽  
Norwegian Population ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Prospective Case Control Study

AbstractIn Norway, incidence of sporadic domestically acquired salmonellosis is low, and most frequently due toSalmonallaTyphimurium. We investigated the risk factors for sporadicSalmonellainfections in Norway to improve control and prevention measures. Surveillance data for allSalmonellainfections from 2000 to 2015 were analysed for seasonality and proportion associated with domestic reservoirs, hedgehogs and wild birds. A prospective case–control study was conducted from 2010 to 2012 by recruiting cases from the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases and controls from the Norwegian Population Registry (389 cases and 1500 controls). Univariable analyses using logistic regression were conducted and a multivariable model was developed using regularised/penalised logistic regression. In univariable analysis, eating snow, dirt, sand or playing in a sandbox (aOR 4.14; CI 2.15–7.97) was associated with salmonellosis. This was also the only exposure significantly associated with illness in the multivariable model. Since 2004, 34.2% (n= 354) ofS.Typhimuirum cases had an MLVA profile linked to a domestic reservoir. A seasonal trend with a peak in August for allSalmonellatypes and in February forS.Typhimurium was observed. Indirect exposure to domestic reservoirs remains a source of salmonellosis in Norway, particularly for children. Information to the public about avoiding environmental exposure should be strengthened and initiatives to combat salmonellosis in the food chain should be reinforced.

scholarly journals Socio-environmental risks associated with the green tobacco sickness in farmers: a case-control study

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 1670-1676
Author(s):  
Marcia Casaril dos Santos Cargnin ◽  
Marta Regina Cezar-Vaz ◽  
Caroline Ottobelli Getelina ◽  
Clarice Alves Bonow
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Environmental Risk Factors ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Burley Tobacco ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Control Study

ABSTRACT Objective: to determine the presence of socio-environmental risk factors for the development of Green Tobacco Sickness in workers who grow Burley tobacco. Method: matched case-control study. The data collection took place in two moments: from December 2016 to January 2017 and December 2017, when the Burley tobacco was collected, through a household survey with interview application and urine collection for urinary cotinine. Results: the socio-environmental risk factors that remained associated with the disease were: bundling tobacco (p=0.047) and wearing socks (p=0.011); with protective effect were found sticking tobacco seeding of the day (p=0.006) and number of tobacco harvested per day (p=0.021). Conclusion: the steps in the Burley tobacco work process increase the exposure and risk of developing the disease. By identifying these factors, it is possible to address interdisciplinary control and prevention measures.

scholarly journals Norovirus waterborne outbreak in Chalkidiki, Greece, 2015: detection of GI.P2_GI.2 and GII.P16_GII.13 unusual strains

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Tryfinopoulou ◽  
M. Kyritsi ◽  
K. Mellou ◽  
F. Kolokythopoulou ◽  
V.A. Mouchtouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Contamination ◽  
Recombinant Strain ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Waterborne Outbreak ◽  
Large Outbreak ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
First Time ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Noroviruses, along with rotaviruses, are among the leading causes of gastroenteritis worldwide and novel strains are periodically emerging. In August 2015, an unusual increase of gastroenteritis cases occurred in a touristic district in Kassandra peninsula, Chalkidiki, Northern Greece. Seven stool specimens from cases were tested positive for norovirus. Molecular investigation and phylogenetic analysis identified that there was co-circulation of norovirus GI.P2_GI.2 and the recombinant strain GII.P16_GII.13. A 1:1 case–control study conducted and showed that tap water consumption significantly associated with developing symptoms of gastroenteritis (odds ratio = 36.9, P = 0.018). The results of the epidemiological investigation, the co-circulation of two different norovirus strains, the information of a pipeline breakage at the water supply system before the onset of cases, and reports on flooded wells and sewage overflow, indicated the possibility of water contamination by sewage during the pipeline breakage leading to a large outbreak with a peak at 10 August and a possible secondary person-to-person transmission after the 16th of August. Norovirus GI.P2_GI.2 strains are rarely reported in Europe, while it is the first time that infection from the recombinant strain GII.P16_GII.13 is recorded in Greece.

scholarly journals Waterborne outbreak of gastroenteritis on the KwaZulu-Natal Coast, South Africa, December 2016/January 2017 – CORRIGENDUM

2018 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Sekwadi ◽  
K. G. Ravhuhali ◽  
A. Mosam ◽  
V. Essel ◽  
G. M. Ntshoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Waterborne Outbreak ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Adverse Events Reporting System as Experienced by Critical-Care Nurses in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thusile Mabel Gqaleni ◽  
Busisiwe Rosemary Bhengu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Life Threatening

Critically ill patients admitted to critical-care units (CCUs) might have life-threatening or potentially life-threatening problems. Adverse events (AEs) occur frequently in CCUs, resulting in compromised quality of patient care. This study explores the experiences of critical-care nurses (CCNs) in relation to how the reported AEs were analysed and handled in CCUs. The study was conducted in the CCUs of five purposively selected hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A descriptive qualitative design was used to obtain data through in-depth interviews from a purposive sample of five unit managers working in the CCUs to provide a deeper meaning of their experiences. This study was a part of a bigger study using a mixed-methods approach. The recorded qualitative data were analysed using Tesch’s content analysis. The main categories of information that emerged during the data analysis were (i) the existence of an AE reporting system, (ii) the occurrence of AEs, (iii) the promotion of and barriers to AE reporting, and (iv) the handling of AEs. The findings demonstrated that there were major gaps that affected the maximum utilisation of the reporting system. In addition, even though the system existed in other institutions, it was not utilised at all, hence affecting quality patient care. The following are recommended: (1) a non-punitive and non-confrontational system should be promoted, and (2) an organisational culture should be encouraged where support structures are formed within institutions, which consist of a legal framework, patient and family involvement, effective AE feedback, and education and training of staff.

CHALLENGES TO BUILDING AUTHENTIC PARTNERSHIPS: LESSONS FROM BHAMBAYI, KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanusha Raniga ◽  
Barbara Simpson ◽  
Ntokozo Mthembu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Mutual Trust ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Qualitative Phase

In contemporary South Africa, partnerships between service providers in government, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and community based organisations have been identified as a means to strengthen communities and the sustainability of social services. However, the unequal power relations that exists between and within these organisations often leads to fragmentation, duplication, and lack of coordination of social services. Using Fowler’s (1998) conceptualisation of authentic partnerships, this qualitative phase of a larger study explored the challenges of building authentic partnerships in Bhambayi, a predominantly informal settlement in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Individual interviews and a focus group held with nine service providers revealed that intraorganisational challenges, cross-boundary and inter-organisational relations as well as political influences were obstacles to the development of authentic partnerships. The article suggests that open communication, clarity of roles and mutual trust between service providers is vital.

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