Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bowles ◽  
James Swaby ◽  
Harold Harlan
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Personal Protection ◽  
Physical Pain ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Behavioural Characteristics ◽  
Risk Areas

Though many are harmless and even beneficial, invertebrates are some of the world’s most feared and dangerous creatures. Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates describes the health threats posed by invertebrate groups worldwide, from physical pain and annoyance to disease transmission risk. Featuring clear photographs, distribution maps and descriptions of biological, physical and behavioural characteristics of key groups, this book aids identification of potentially harmful invertebrates. It also summarises personal protection measures to reduce the risk of attack and disease, and provides guidance on treatment. This book will help to protect the health of travellers and serve as a reference for medical personnel working in high-risk areas, as well as those interested in entomology.

scholarly journals Spatial Distribution of Breast Cancer in Sudan 2010-2016

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Maweya Abdelbagi Elbasheer ◽  
Ayah Galal Abdelrahman Alkhidir ◽  
Siham Mohammed Awad Mohammed ◽  
Areej Abuelgasim Hassan Abbas ◽  
Aisha Osman Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Histopathological Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Risk Areas

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among females worldwide including Sudan. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of breast cancer in Sudan.Materials and methodsA facility based cross-sectional study was implemented in eighteen histopathology laboratories distributed in the three localities of Khartoum State on a sample of 4630 Breast Cancer cases diagnosed during the period 2010-2016. A master database was developed through Epi Info™ 7.1.5.2 for computerizing the data collected: the facility name, type (public or private), and its geo- location (latitude and longitude). Personal data on patients were extracted from their respective medical records (name, age, marital status, ethnic group, State, locality, administrative unit, permanent address and phone number, histopathology diagnosis). The data was summarized through SPSS to generate frequency tables for estimating prevalence and the geographical information system (ArcGIS 10.3) was used to generate the epidemiological distribution maps. ArcGIS 10.3 spatial analysis features were used to develop risk maps based on the kriging method.ResultsBreast cancer prevalence was 3.9 cases per 100,000 female populations. Of the 4423 cases of breast cancer, invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (NST) was the most frequent (79.5%, 3517/4423) histopathological diagnosis. The spatial analysis indicated as high risk areas for breast cancer in Sudan the States of Nile River, Northern, Red Sea, White Nile, Northern and Southern Kordofan.ConclusionsThe attempt to develop a predictive map of breast cancer in Sudan revealed three levels of risk areas (risk, intermediate and high risk areas); regardless the risk level, appropriate preventive and curative health interventions with full support from decision makers are urgently needed.

scholarly journals The impact of active case finding among high-risk populations on the decline of tuberculosis incidence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Tomczak ◽  
Dominika Warmjak ◽  
Aneta Wiśniewska
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Case Finding ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Active Case Finding ◽  
Disease Dynamics ◽  
Active Screening ◽  
Active Case ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In 2019 the WHO reported approximately 10 million TB cases and 1.4 million deaths worldwide. TB still remains one of the leading causes of death in humans. Brazil is one of 30 countries with the highest TB burden with 96,000 new cases and 6,700 deaths reported in 2019. From 2015 the TB incidence is increasing by 2%–3% annually. It means that TB control programs need to be improved. Aim: Our aim is to show the impact of active case finding of TB cases among a high-risk subpopulation on decline of the incidence in the general population. Material and methods: We use a SIS-type compartmental mathematical model to describe the disease dynamics. We consider the population as a heterogeneous population which differ in disease transmission risk. Using best-fit techniques we compare the actual data with the model. For the fitted parameters we calculate the basic reproduction number and estimate the TB trends for the next few years applying several preventative protocols. Results and discussion: Using numerical simulations we examine the impact of ACF on the disease dynamics. We show that active screening among high risk subpopulations can help to reduce TB spread. We show how the reproduction number and estimated incidence decline depend on the detection rate. Conclusions: Active screening is one of the most effective ways for reducing the spread of disease. However, due to financial constraints, it can only be used to a limited extent. Properly applied detection can limit the spread of the disease while minimizing costs.

Vector-borne diseases and poisonous plants

2018 ◽  
pp. 202-206
Author(s):  
David Wong
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Environmental Hazards ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Poisonous Plants ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Potential Contact ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Vector-borne diseases, poisonous plants, and other environmental hazards are potentially encountered by outdoor recreationalists. Vector-borne diseases are found worldwide, particularly in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates where suitable habitats support vector populations and their associated pathogens. The relative risk from vector species (e.g. ticks, mosquitoes, fleas) and the prevalence of specific vector-borne pathogens vary by continent. Recreationalists should be aware of or inquire about local disease risks from health agencies, educate others about these risks, and adhere to personal protective measures that can greatly reduce transmission risk. Broadly, these measures include using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers where possible, and avoiding high-risk areas (e.g. forest edges for tick-borne diseases) or high-risk time periods (e.g. dawn and dusk for mosquito-borne diseases) to decrease potential contact with vectors. Education and awareness is the most effective strategy for preventing vector-borne diseases and exposure to poisonous plants and other environmental hazards.

scholarly journals Geographical Weighted Regression of Risk Factor of Stunting in Malang Regency, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adipandang Yudono ◽  
Joko Purnomo ◽  
Ratnaningsih Damayanti
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Weighted Regression ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Risk Class ◽  
Geographical Weighted Regression ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Risk Areas

Stunting has become a global concern. The incidence of stunting in the world contributes to 15% of under-five mortality, with 55 million children losing their health, and it is estimated to reduce the country's GDP level by up to 7%. In Indonesia, the incidence of stunting has become one of the main health problems that need to be solved immediately. Malang Regency is one of the districts in East Java Province that has received the spotlight regarding this problem. This research examined the risk factors of stunting in Malang Regency through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR). GWR was carried out to calculate the correlation between predetermined demographic, health, and economic variables, which were assumed to influence risk factors of stunting. GWR allocation and model examinations are important in understanding risk factors of stunting in the study of disease transmission in the investigation zone. Based on GWR analysis, the research shows that only four (4) sub-variables were significant: the number of poor people, level of education, number of health facilities, and access to health facilities. We also found that Lawang, Gondanglegi, and Turen districts have high-risk areas to stunting. Therefore, within this study that correlates to government policy to decrease or eliminate stunting incidents, districts belonging to the high-risk class should be prioritized or concerned. Moreover, based on LISA, some districts are affected by the risk factors of stunting from the surrounding districts with higher stunting potential value such as Gondanglegi and Pagelaran Districts.

scholarly journals Mask-Ematics: Modeling the Effects of Masks in COVID-19 Transmission in High-Risk Environments

Epidemiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-226
Author(s):  
Anthony Morciglio ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Gerardo Chowell ◽  
James M. Hyman ◽  
Yi Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Transmission Model ◽  
Reproductive Number ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Moderate Quality ◽  
Epidemic Size

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on public health and strained the worldwide economy. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has been predominantly driven by aerosol transmission, and scientific research supports the use of face masks to reduce transmission. However, a systematic and quantitative understanding of how face masks reduce disease transmission is still lacking. We used epidemic data from the Diamond Princess cruise ship to calibrate a transmission model in a high-risk setting and derive the reproductive number for the model. We explain how the terms in the reproductive number reflect the contributions of the different infectious states to the spread of the infection. We used that model to compare the infection spread within a homogeneously mixed population for different types of masks, the timing of mask policy, and compliance of wearing masks. Our results suggest substantial reductions in epidemic size and mortality rate provided by at least 75% of people wearing masks (robust for different mask types). We also evaluated the timing of the mask implementation. We illustrate how ample compliance with moderate-quality masks at the start of an epidemic attained similar mortality reductions to less compliance and the use of high-quality masks after the epidemic took off. We observed that a critical mass of 84% of the population wearing masks can completely stop the spread of the disease. These results highlight the significance of a large fraction of the population needing to wear face masks to effectively reduce the spread of the epidemic. The simulations show that early implementation of mask policy using moderate-quality masks is more effective than a later implementation with high-quality masks. These findings may inform public health mask-use policies for an infectious respiratory disease outbreak (such as one of COVID-19) in high-risk settings.

scholarly journals Livestock movement informs the risk of disease spread in traditional production systems in East Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Divine Ekwem ◽  
Thomas A. Morrison ◽  
Richard Reeve ◽  
Jessica Enright ◽  
Joram Buza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Transmission Potential ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Transmission Distance ◽  
Risk Of Disease

AbstractIn Africa, livestock are important to local and national economies, but their productivity is constrained by infectious diseases. Comprehensive information on livestock movements and contacts is required to devise appropriate disease control strategies; yet, understanding contact risk in systems where herds mix extensively, and where different pathogens can be transmitted at different spatial and temporal scales, remains a major challenge. We deployed Global Positioning System collars on cattle in 52 herds in a traditional agropastoral system in western Serengeti, Tanzania, to understand fine-scale movements and between-herd contacts, and to identify locations of greatest interaction between herds. We examined contact across spatiotemporal scales relevant to different disease transmission scenarios. Daily cattle movements increased with herd size and rainfall. Generally, contact between herds was greatest away from households, during periods with low rainfall and in locations close to dipping points. We demonstrate how movements and contacts affect the risk of disease spread. For example, transmission risk is relatively sensitive to the survival time of different pathogens in the environment, and less sensitive to transmission distance, at least over the range of the spatiotemporal definitions of contacts that we explored. We identify times and locations of greatest disease transmission potential and that could be targeted through tailored control strategies.

scholarly journals An Alternative Risk Assessment Model of Urban Waterlogging: A Case Study of Ningbo City

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 826
Author(s):  
Meiling Zhou ◽  
Xiuli Feng ◽  
Kaikai Liu ◽  
Chi Zhang ◽  
Lijian Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Risk Assessment Model ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
The North ◽  
Coastal Cities ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
The City

Influenced by climate change, extreme weather events occur frequently, and bring huge impacts to urban areas, including urban waterlogging. Conducting risk assessments of urban waterlogging is a critical step to diagnose problems, improve infrastructure and achieve sustainable development facing extreme weathers. This study takes Ningbo, a typical coastal city in the Yangtze River Delta, as an example to conduct a risk assessment of urban waterlogging with high-resolution remote sensing images and high-precision digital elevation models to further analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of waterlogging risk. Results indicate that waterlogging risk in the city proper of Ningbo is mainly low risk, accounting for 36.9%. The higher-risk and medium-risk areas have the same proportions, accounting for 18.7%. They are followed by the lower-risk and high-risk areas, accounting for 15.5% and 9.6%, respectively. In terms of space, waterlogging risk in the city proper of Ningbo is high in the south and low in the north. The high-risk area is mainly located to the west of Jiangdong district and the middle of Haishu district. The low-risk area is mainly distributed in the north of Jiangbei district. These results are consistent with the historical situation of waterlogging in Ningbo, which prove the effectiveness of the risk assessment model and provide an important reference for the government to prevent and mitigate waterlogging. The optimized risk assessment model is also of importance for waterlogging risk assessments in coastal cities. Based on this model, the waterlogging risk of coastal cities can be quickly assessed, combining with local characteristics, which will help improve the city’s capability of responding to waterlogging disasters and reduce socio-economic loss.

scholarly journals Feeding sites promoting wildlife-related tourism might highly expose the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) to parasite transmission

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eve Afonso ◽  
Rong Fu ◽  
Amaël Dupaix ◽  
Anne-Claude Goydadin ◽  
ZhongHua Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Parasite Transmission ◽  
Rhinopithecus Bieti ◽  
Domesticated Animals ◽  
Feeding Sites ◽  
In The Wild

AbstractAn increasing number of studies have found that the implementation of feeding sites for wildlife-related tourism can affect animal health, behaviour and reproduction. Feeding sites can favour high densities, home range overlap, greater sedentary behaviour and increased interspecific contacts, all of which might promote parasite transmission. In the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti), human interventions via provisioning monkeys at specific feeding sites have led to the sub-structuring of a group into genetically differentiated sub-groups. The fed subgroup is located near human hamlets and interacts with domesticated animals. Using high-throughput sequencing, we investigated Entamoeba species diversity in a local host assemblage strongly influenced by provisioning for wildlife-related tourism. We identified 13 Entamoeba species or lineages in faeces of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, humans and domesticated animals (including pigs, cattle, and domestic chicken). In Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, Entamoeba prevalence and OTU richness were higher in the fed than in the wild subgroup. Entamoeba polecki was found in monkeys, pigs and humans, suggesting that this parasite might circulates between the wild and domestic components of this local social–ecological system. The highest proportion of faeces positive for Entamoeba in monkeys geographically coincided with the presence of livestock and humans. These elements suggest that feeding sites might indirectly play a role on parasite transmission in the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey. The implementation of such sites should carefully consider the risk of creating hotspots of disease transmission, which should be prevented by maintaining a buffer zone between monkeys and livestock/humans. Regular screenings for pathogens in fed subgroup are necessary to monitor transmission risk in order to balance the economic development of human communities dependent on wildlife-related tourism, and the conservation of the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey.

scholarly journals Multidimensional dynamic healthcare personnel (HCP)-centric model from a low-income and middle-income country to support and protect COVID-19 warriors: a large prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e043837
Author(s):  
Usha Dutta ◽  
Anurag Sachan ◽  
Madhumita Premkumar ◽  
Tulika Gupta ◽  
Swapnajeet Sahoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Risk Zone ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Medium Risk ◽  
Risk Zones

ObjectivesHealthcare personnel (HCP) are at an increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection especially in resource-restricted healthcare settings, and return to homes unfit for self-isolation, making them apprehensive about COVID-19 duty and transmission risk to their families. We aimed at implementing a novel multidimensional HCP-centric evidence-based, dynamic policy with the objectives to reduce risk of HCP infection, ensure welfare and safety of the HCP and to improve willingness to accept and return to duty.SettingOur tertiary care university hospital, with 12 600 HCP, was divided into high-risk, medium-risk and low-risk zones. In the high-risk and medium-risk zones, we organised training, logistic support, postduty HCP welfare and collected feedback, and sent them home after they tested negative for COVID-19. We supervised use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and kept communication paperless.ParticipantsWe recruited willing low-risk HCP, aged <50 years, with no comorbidities to work in COVID-19 zones. Social distancing, hand hygiene and universal masking were advocated in the low-risk zone.ResultsBetween 31 March and 20 July 2020, we clinically screened 5553 outpatients, of whom 3012 (54.2%) were COVID-19 suspects managed in the medium-risk zone. Among them, 346 (11.4%) tested COVID-19 positive (57.2% male) and were managed in the high-risk zone with 19 (5.4%) deaths. One (0.08%) of the 1224 HCP in high-risk zone, 6 (0.62%) of 960 HCP in medium-risk zone and 23 (0.18%) of the 12 600 HCP in the low-risk zone tested positive at the end of shift. All the 30 COVID-19-positive HCP have since recovered. This HCP-centric policy resulted in low transmission rates (<1%), ensured satisfaction with training (92%), PPE (90.8%), medical and psychosocial support (79%) and improved acceptance of COVID-19 duty with 54.7% volunteering for re-deployment.ConclusionA multidimensional HCP-centric policy was effective in ensuring safety, satisfaction and welfare of HCP in a resource-poor setting and resulted in a willing workforce to fight the pandemic.

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