scholarly journals The military as a neglected pathogen transmitter and its implications for COVID-19: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Chaufan ◽  
Ilinca A. Dutescu ◽  
Hanah Fekre ◽  
Saba Marzabadi ◽  
K.J. Noh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Transmission Mechanism ◽  
Social Transmission ◽  
Social Mechanisms ◽  
Freedom Of Movement ◽  
Transmission Mechanisms ◽  
Contaminated Food ◽  
The Military

Background: The risk of outbreaks escalating into pandemics has soared with globalization. Therefore, understanding transmission mechanisms of infectious diseases has become critical to formulating global public health policy. This systematic review assessed the evidence for the military as a disease vector, an historically relevant one, yet overlooked in times of COVID-19. Methods: We searched 3 electronic databases without temporal restrictions. We identified 2010 of 6477 studies spanning over two centuries (1810 – 2020) that met our inclusion criteria and provided evidence for the military as a pathogen transmitter, within itself or between it and civilians. Two researchers independently extracted study data using a standardized form. Through team discussions, studies were grouped according to their type of transmission mechanism and direct quotes were extracted to generate themes and sub–themes. A content analysis was later performed and frequency distributions for each theme were generated. Results: Biological mechanisms driving transmission included person–to–person transmission, contaminated food and water, vector–borne, and airborne routes. Social mechanisms facilitating transmission included crowded living spaces, unhygienic conditions, strenuous working, training conditions, absent or inadequate vaccination programs, pressure from military leadership, poor compliance with public health advice, contractor mismanagement, high–risk behaviours, and occupation–specific freedom of movement. Contaminated food and/or water was the most common biological transmission route. Living conditions were the most common social transmission mechanism, with young, low ranking military personnel repeatedly reported as the most affected group. Certain social mechanisms, such as employment–related freedom of movement, were unique to the military as a social institution. While few studies explicitly studied civilian populations, considerably more contained information that implied that civilians were likely impacted by outbreaks described in the military. Conclusions: Features of the military identified in this study pose a significant public health threat, especially to countries with substantial military presence or underdeveloped health systems. Many social transmission mechanisms, unlike biological ones, were unique to the military, facilitating large–spreader events and affecting civilian health. As an increasingly interconnected world faces the challenges of COVID–19 and future infectious diseases, the identified features of the military may exacerbate current and similar challenges and impair attempts to implement successful and equitable pandemic policies.

scholarly journals The military as a neglected pathogen transmitter, from the nineteenth century to COVID-19: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Chaufan ◽  
Ilinca A. Dutescu ◽  
Hanah Fekre ◽  
Saba Marzabadi ◽  
K. J. Noh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Transmission Mechanism ◽  
Social Mechanisms ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Freedom Of Movement ◽  
Transmission Mechanisms ◽  
Contaminated Food ◽  
The Military

Abstract Background The risk of outbreaks escalating into pandemics has soared with globalization. Therefore, understanding transmission mechanisms of infectious diseases has become critical to formulating global public health policy. This systematic review assessed evidence in the medical and public health literature for the military as a disease vector. Methods We searched 3 electronic databases without temporal restrictions. Two researchers independently extracted study data using a standardized form. Through team discussions, studies were grouped according to their type of transmission mechanism and direct quotes were extracted to generate themes and sub-themes. A content analysis was later performed and frequency distributions for each theme were generated. Results Of 6477 studies, 210 met our inclusion criteria and provided evidence, spanning over two centuries (1810–2020), for the military as a pathogen transmitter, within itself or between it and civilians. Biological mechanisms driving transmission included person-to-person transmission, contaminated food and water, vector-borne, and airborne routes. Contaminated food and/or water were the most common biological transmission route. Social mechanisms facilitating transmission included crowded living spaces, unhygienic conditions, strenuous working, training conditions, absent or inadequate vaccination programs, pressure from military leadership, poor compliance with public health advice, contractor mismanagement, high-risk behaviours, and occupation-specific freedom of movement. Living conditions were the most common social transmission mechanism, with young, low ranking military personnel repeatedly reported as the most affected group. Selected social mechanisms, such as employment-related freedom of movement, were unique to the military as a social institution. While few studies explicitly studied civilian populations, considerably more contained information that implied that civilians were likely impacted by outbreaks described in the military. Conclusions This study identified features of the military that pose a significant threat to global health, especially to civilian health in countries with substantial military presence or underdeveloped health systems. While biological transmission mechanisms are shared by other social groups, selected social transmission mechanisms are unique to the military. As an increasingly interconnected world faces the challenges of COVID-19 and future infectious diseases, the identified features of the military may exacerbate current and similar challenges and impair attempts to implement successful and equitable global public health policies.

scholarly journals What influences people’s responses to public health messages for managing risks and preventing infectious diseases? A rapid systematic review of the evidence and recommendations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ghio ◽  
Sadie Lawes-Wickwar ◽  
Mei Yee Tang ◽  
Tracy Epton ◽  
Neil Howlett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
Managing Risk ◽  
Health Messaging

Background Population level behaviour change, requiring individual behaviour change such as hand hygiene and physical distancing, are central to reducing transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, but little is known about how best to communicate this type of risk reducing information, and how populations might respond. We conducted a rapid systematic review to identify and synthesise evidence relating to: a) What characterises effective public-health messages for managing risk and preventing infectious disease, and b) What influences people’s responses to public-health messages.Methods Rapid systematic review methodology was used. We included all study designs and grey literature. Non-English language papers were excluded. Ovid Medline, Ovid PsycINFO and Healthevidence.org were searched alongside PsyarXiv and OSF Preprints up to May 2020. A narrative synthesis was conducted.Findings We identified 70 eligible papers: 3 systematic reviews, 54 individual papers and 14 pre-prints. To influence behaviour effectively at the population level, public-health messages need to be acceptable, credible and trustworthy, to increase the public’s understanding and perceptions of the threat. Interpretation Key recommendations are to: engage communities in the development of public-health messaging, use credible and legitimate sources, address uncertainty immediately and with transparency, focus on unifying messages from all sources, and develop messages aimed at increasing understanding, induce social responsibility and empower personal control. Embedding these principles of behavioural science into public-health messaging is an important step towards more effective health-risk communication for managing risk, promoting protective behaviours and preventing disease during epidemics/pandemics.

scholarly journals Emerging and re-emerging human infectious diseases: A systematic review of the role of wild animals with a focus on public health impact

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
MarliC Cupertino ◽  
MichelyB Resende ◽  
NicholasAJ Mayer ◽  
LorendaneM Carvalho ◽  
Rodrigo Siqueira-Batista
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Public Health Impact ◽  
Wild Animals

scholarly journals The Double-Edged Sword of Military Response to Societal Disruptions: A Systematic Review of the Evidence for Military Personnel as Pathogen Transmitters

2019 ◽  
Vol 220 (12) ◽  
pp. 1873-1884
Author(s):  
Juliana N Zemke ◽  
Jose L Sanchez ◽  
Junxiong Pang ◽  
Gregory C Gray
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Historical Evidence ◽  
Quantitative Review ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Military Service Members

Abstract Given their lack of immunity and increased exposure, military personnel have the potential to serve as carriers or reservoirs for infectious diseases into or out of the deployment areas, but, to our knowledge, the historical evidence for such transmission events has not previously been reviewed. Using PubMed, we performed a systematic review of published literature between 1955 and 2018, which documented evidence for military personnel transporting infectious pathogens into or out of deployment areas. Of the 439 articles screened, 67 were included for final qualitative and quantitative review. The data extracted from these articles described numerous instances in which thousands of military service members demonstrated potential or actual transmission and transportation of multiple diverse pathogens. These data underscore the immense importance preventive medical professionals play in mitigating such risk, how their public health efforts must be supported, and the importance of surveillance in protecting both military and civilian populations.

scholarly journals European Risk Assessment Guidance for Infectious Diseases transmitted on Aircraft – the RAGIDA project

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Leitmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Guidance Documents ◽  
Disease Specific

In order to assist national public health authorities in the European Union to assess the risks associated with the transmission of infectious agents on board aircrafts, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control initiated in 2007 the RAGIDA project (Risk Assessment Guidance for Infectious Diseases transmitted on Aircraft). RAGIDA consists of two parts: the production of a systematic review and a series of disease-specific guidance documents. The systematic review covered over 3,700 peer-reviewed articles and grey literature for the following diseases: tuberculosis, influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), invasive meningococcal disease, measles, rubella, diphtheria, Ebola and Marburg haemorrhagic fevers, Lassa fever, smallpox and anthrax. In addition, general guidelines on risk assessment and management from international aviation boards and national and international public health agencies were systematically searched. Experts were interviewed on case-based events by standardised questionnaires. Disease-specific guidance documents on tuberculosis, SARS, meningococcal infections, measles, rubella, Ebola and Marburg haemorrhagic fevers, Lassa fever, smallpox and anthrax were the result of consultations of disease-specific expert panels. Factors that influence the risk assessment of infectious disease transmission on board aircrafts and decision making for contact tracing are outlined.

scholarly journals What influences people’s responses to public health messages for managing risks and preventing infectious diseases? A rapid systematic review of the evidence and recommendations

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e048750
Author(s):  
Daniela Ghio ◽  
Sadie Lawes-Wickwar ◽  
Mei Yee Tang ◽  
Tracy Epton ◽  
Neil Howlett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
Health Messaging

BackgroundIndividual behaviour changes, such as hand hygiene and physical distancing, are required on a population scale to reduce transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. However, little is known about effective methods of communicating risk reducing information, and how populations might respond.ObjectiveTo synthesise evidence relating to what (1) characterises effective public health messages for managing risk and preventing infectious disease and (2) influences people’s responses to messages.DesignA rapid systematic review was conducted. Protocol is published on Prospero CRD42020188704.Data sourcesElectronic databases were searched: Ovid Medline, Ovid PsycINFO and Healthevidence.org, and grey literature (PsyarXiv, OSF Preprints) up to May 2020.Study selectionAll study designs that (1) evaluated public health messaging interventions targeted at adults and (2) concerned a communicable disease spread via primary route of transmission of respiratory and/or touch were included. Outcomes included preventative behaviours, perceptions/awareness and intentions. Non-English language papers were excluded.SynthesisDue to high heterogeneity studies were synthesised narratively focusing on determinants of intentions in the absence of measured adherence/preventative behaviours. Themes were developed independently by two researchers and discussed within team to reach consensus. Recommendations were translated from narrative synthesis to provide evidence-based methods in providing effective messaging.ResultsSixty-eight eligible papers were identified. Characteristics of effective messaging include delivery by credible sources, community engagement, increasing awareness/knowledge, mapping to stage of epidemic/pandemic. To influence intent effectively, public health messages need to be acceptable, increase understanding/perceptions of health threat and perceived susceptibility.DiscussionThere are four key recommendations: (1) engage communities in development of messaging, (2) address uncertainty immediately and with transparency, (3) focus on unifying messages from sources and (4) frame messages aimed at increasing understanding, social responsibility and personal control. Embedding principles of behavioural science into public health messaging is an important step towards more effective health-risk communication during epidemics/pandemics.

Fusion Protein Targeted Antiviral Peptides: Fragment-Based Drug Design (FBDD) Guided Rational Design of Dipeptides Against SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 938-947
Author(s):  
Sounik Manna ◽  
Trinath Chowdhury ◽  
Piyush Baindara ◽  
Santi M. Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Design ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Fusion Process ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Enveloped Viruses ◽  
Antiviral Peptides ◽  
Target Sites ◽  
Tract Infections

: Infectious diseases caused by viruses have become a serious public health issue in the recent past, including the current pandemic situation of COVID-19. Enveloped viruses are most commonly known to cause emerging and recurring infectious diseases. Viral and cell membrane fusion is the major key event in the case of enveloped viruses that is required for their entry into the cell. Viral fusion proteins play an important role in the fusion process and in infection establishment. Because of this, the fusion process targeting antivirals become an interest to fight against viral diseases caused by the enveloped virus. Lower respiratory tract infections casing viruses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) are examples of such enveloped viruses that are at the top in public health issues. Here, we summarized the viral fusion protein targeted antiviral peptides along with their mechanism and specific design to combat the viral fusion process. The pandemic COVID-19, severe respiratory syndrome disease is an outbreak worldwide. There are no definitive drugs yet, but few are in on-going trials. Here, an approach of fragmentbased drug design (FBDD) methodology is used to identify the broad spectrum agent target to the conserved region of fusion protein of SARS CoV-2. Three dipeptides (DL, LQ and ID) were chosen from the library and designed by the systematic combination along with their possible modifications of amino acids to the target sites. Designed peptides were docked with targeted fusion protein after energy minimization. Results show strong and significant binding affinity (DL = -60.1 kcal/mol; LQ = - 62.8 kcal/mol; ID= -71.5 kcal/mol) during interaction. Anyone of the active peptides from the developed libraries may help to block the target sites competitively to successfully control COVID-19.

Biosecurity and Public Health Ethics Issues Raised by Biological Threats

2019 ◽  
pp. 773-785
Author(s):  
Nicholas Evans ◽  
Thomas Inglesby
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Biological Weapon ◽  
Ethical Values ◽  
Dual Use ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Trade Offs

This chapter introduces ethical issues that arise in the context of biosecurity: policies and actions intended to prevent the development or emergence, or mitigate the consequences, of serious biological threats. These threats could include deliberate biological weapon attacks (bioterrorism), pandemics, emerging infectious diseases, or major laboratory accidents. The basic values that underpin these public health concerns are first introduced. Ethical issues that arise before, during, and following a biosecurity crisis are then examined, including issues of resource allocation, dual-use research, and the possibility of quarantine. Their resolution requires trade-offs among different ethical values, including utility, fairness, and liberty.

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