Tuberculosis

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musarrat Afza ◽  
Marko Petrovic ◽  
Sam Ghebrehewet
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

This chapter covers two case studies and scenarios: a case of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in a college student; and a case of laboratory-confirmed Mycobacterium bovis in an adult with inflammatory bowel disease. The pulmonary TB case resulted in a wider investigation and contact tracing as the case attended college while symptomatic. The Mycobacterium bovis resulted in wider workplace and hospital contact tracing through convening an Incident Control Team. Background information on the epidemiology and clinical features of TB and the public health response to TB in educational, healthcare, and occupational settings are discussed. Case definitions, and a detailed risk assessment, with clear description of close contacts, priority groups, and the required public health actions, are described. ‘Top tips’ are given, to provide practical tips for the reader to think through the public health management of TB, and ‘tools of the trade’ list the laboratory and epidemiological components of the investigation.

Hepatitis B

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Huyton ◽  
Sam Ghebrehewet ◽  
David Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Detailed Interpretation ◽  
And Control

This chapter describes an acute hepatitis B case and scenario involving a paramedic with a pregnant woman as close sexual contact and potential risk of transmission to the unborn baby. Background information on the epidemiology of Hepatitis B, markers of hepatitis B infection (both acute and chronic), and the risk factors for transmission are discussed. There are clear case definitions of acute, chronic, and those susceptible and at high risk for hepatitis B plus detailed interpretation of hepatitis B markers. ‘Top tips’ are given to assist the relevant clinicians or public health/health protection practitioner/specialist to take timely and appropriate action. The laboratory, epidemiological, and infection prevention and control components of the investigation are listed. The importance of confidentiality and communication with the affected individual and close contacts is emphasized. Other possible scenarios, including the public health response to a cluster/outbreak are considered.

Measles

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Baxter ◽  
Gill Marsh ◽  
Sam Ghebrehewet
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Mmr Vaccine ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Risk Area ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
High Risk Area ◽  
The Public

This chapter describes a case of measles in a school child who contracted measles following travel to a high-risk area. The case resulted in a measles outbreak in the school and further cases in the community. Background information on the epidemiology and clinical features of measles and the public health response to a single case, an outbreak of measles in a school, and measles exposure in a healthcare setting are discussed. Case definitions risk assessment, identification of close contacts including priority groups and the required public health actions including post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with Human Normal Immunoglobulin (HNIG) and/or MMR vaccine, are described in detail. ‘Top tips’ are given to provide practical tips for the reader to think through the public health management of the case study, and ‘tools of the trade’ list the laboratory and epidemiological components of the investigation. Finally, the chapter encourages exploration of other potential scenarios, including the possibility of measles transmission in a nursery.

scholarly journals Public health response to two incidents of confirmed MERS-CoV cases travelling on flights through London Heathrow Airport in 2014 – lessons learnt

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Parry-Ford ◽  
N Boddington ◽  
R Pebody ◽  
N Phin ◽  
Collective on behalf of the Incident Management Team
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
International Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Health Organization

In May 2014, Public Health England was alerted to two separate laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection who transited through London Heathrow Airport while symptomatic on flights from Saudi Arabia to the United States of America. We present the rationale for the public health response to both incidents, and report results of contact tracing. Following a risk assessment, passengers seated two seats around the cases were prioritised for contact tracing and a proactive media approach was used to alert all passengers on the planes of their possible exposure in both incidents. In total, 64 United Kingdom (UK) residents were successfully contacted, 14 of whom were sat in the priority area two seats all around the case(s). Five passengers reported respiratory symptoms within 14 days of the flight, but all tested were negative for MERS-CoV. Details of non-UK residents were passed on to relevant World Health Organization International Health Regulation focal points for follow-up, and no further cases were reported back. Different approaches were used to manage contact tracing for each flight due to variations in the quality and timeliness of the passenger contact information provided by the airlines involved. No evidence of symptomatic onward transmission was found.

scholarly journals Epidemiology and public health response in early phase of COVID-19 pandemic, Veneto Region, Italy, 21 February to 2 April 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (47) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Russo ◽  
Gisella Pitter ◽  
Filippo Da Re ◽  
Michele Tonon ◽  
Francesco Avossa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Case Finding ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Veneto Region ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Italian Regions

Background Veneto was one of the Italian regions hit hardest by the early phase of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim This paper describes the public health response and epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in the Veneto Region from 21 February to 2 April 2020. Methods Information on the public health response was collected from regional health authorities’ official sources. Epidemiological data were extracted from a web-based regional surveillance system. The epidemic curve was represented by date of testing. Characteristics of hospitalised COVID-19 cases were described and compared to those never admitted to hospital. Age- and sex-stratified case-fatality ratios (CFRs) were calculated. Results Key elements of the regional public health response were thorough case-finding and contact tracing, home care for non-severe cases, creation of dedicated COVID-19 healthcare facilities and activation of sub-intensive care units for non-invasive ventilation. As at 2 April 2020, 91,345 individuals were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and 10,457 (11.4%) were positive. Testing and attack rates were 18.6 per 1,000 and 213.2 per 100,000 population, respectively. The epidemic peaked around 20 to 24 March, with case numbers declining thereafter. Hospitalised cases (n = 3,623; 34.6%) were older and more frequently male compared with never-hospitalised cases. The CFR was 5.6% overall, and was higher among males and people > 60 years of age. Conclusion In the Veneto Region, the strict social distancing measures imposed by the Italian government were supported by thorough case finding and contact tracing, as well as well-defined roles for different levels of care.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in a San Francisco Homeless Shelter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Imbert ◽  
Patrick M Kinley ◽  
Ashley Scarborough ◽  
Caroline Cawley ◽  
Madeline Sankaran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Case Investigation ◽  
Symptom Screening ◽  
Health Response

Abstract We report the public health response to a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in a San Francisco shelter where 67% of residents and 17% of staff tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe the limited utility of case investigation, person-based contact tracing and symptom screening, and the benefits of mass testing in outbreak response.

scholarly journals United States response to the COVID-19 pandemic, January–November 2020

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Mathew Alexander ◽  
Lynn Unruh ◽  
Andriy Koval ◽  
William Belanger
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Physical Infrastructure ◽  
Key Policy ◽  
United States Healthcare

Abstract As of November 2020, the United States leads the world in confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and deaths. Over the past 10 months, the United States has experienced three peaks in new cases, with the most recent spike in November setting new records. Inaction and the lack of a scientifically informed, unified response have contributed to the sustained spread of COVID-19 in the United States. This paper describes major events and findings from the domestic response to COVID-19 from January to November 2020, including on preventing transmission, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, ensuring sufficient physical infrastructure and healthcare workforce, paying for services, and governance. We further reflect on the public health response to-date and analyse the link between key policy decisions (e.g. closing, reopening) and COVID-19 cases in three states that are representative of the broader regions that have experienced spikes in cases. Finally, as we approach the winter months and undergo a change in national leadership, we highlight some considerations for the ongoing COVID-19 response and the broader United States healthcare system. These findings describe why the United States has failed to contain COVID-19 effectively to-date and can serve as a reference in the continued response to COVID-19 and future pandemics.

scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 on childhood Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Chengdu, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Yijie Huang ◽  
Tao Ai ◽  
Jun Luo ◽  
Hanmin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Serum Antibody ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Western China ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a change in the incidence and transmission of respiratory pathogens was observed. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the epidemiologic characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among children in Chengdu, one of the largest cities of western China. Method M. pneumoniae infection was diagnosed in 33,345 pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms at the Chengdu Women’s & Children’s Central Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020, based on a serum antibody titer of ≥1:160 measured by the passive agglutination assay. Differences in infection rates were examined by sex, age, and temporal distribution. Results Two epidemic outbreaks occurred between October-December 2017 and April-December 2019, and two infection peaks were detected in the second and fourth quarters of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Due to the public health response to COVID-19, the number of positive M. pneumoniae cases significantly decreased in the second quarter of 2020. The number of M. pneumoniae infection among children aged 3–6 years was higher than that in other age groups. Conclusions Preschool children are more susceptible to M. pneumoniae infection and close contact appears to be the predominant factor favoring pathogen transmission. The public health response to COVID-19 can effectively control the transmission of M. pneumoniae.

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