scholarly journals Averting an Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a University Residence Hall through Wastewater Surveillance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryland Corchis-Scott ◽  
Qiudi Geng ◽  
Rajesh Seth ◽  
Rajan Ray ◽  
Mohsan Beg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
North America ◽  
Residence Hall ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Early Adopters ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Early Evidence ◽  
Health Response

Among early adopters of wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 have been colleges and universities throughout North America, many of whom are using this approach to monitor congregate living facilities for early evidence of COVID-19 infection as an integral component of campus screening programs. Yet, while there have been numerous examples where wastewater monitoring on a university campus has detected evidence for infection among community members, there are few examples where this monitoring triggered a public health response that may have averted an actual outbreak.

Evaluation of a Diagnostic Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Neisseria meningitidis in North America and Field Experience During an Outbreak

2002 ◽  
Vol 126 (10) ◽  
pp. 1209-1215
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Pollard ◽  
Gary Probe ◽  
Colleen Trombley ◽  
Annette Castell ◽  
Sue Whitehead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
North America ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Laboratory Confirmation ◽  
Health Response

Abstract Context.—Meningococcal infection has a high public profile because of its dramatic presentation, high fatality rate, and propensity to occur in outbreaks and clusters of cases. Use of a diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay could enhance laboratory confirmation of cases and guide the public health response in North America. Objective.—To assess the performance of a PCR assay for the diagnosis of meningococcal disease after its implementation in a North American setting and to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the assay for the detection of prevalent bacterial isolates. Design.—Laboratory evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of a PCR assay for Neisseria meningitidis and observational study of a series of cases comparing molecular diagnosis against the criterion standard of conventional laboratory diagnostic tests. Setting.—A Canadian province with a population of 4 million people. Patients.—Children and adults presenting with suspected meningococcal disease in British Columbia. Main Outcome Measures.—The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR assay when compared against standard laboratory methods. Results.—The PCR assay correctly identified all of 38 Canadian isolates of Neisseria meningitidis and correctly assigned the serogroup to each isolate. None of 57 other gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria or yeasts were detected by the PCR assay. In a clinical evaluation, for diagnosis of meningococcal disease, the PCR assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 76%, respectively, against conventional methods of diagnosis. Use of the PCR assay increased the laboratory confirmation of clinically suspected cases by 36%. During an outbreak, the PCR assay allowed serogroup determination in 3 of 7 cases, aiding in the public health decision to launch an immunization campaign. Conclusions.—The PCR assay is more sensitive than conventional methods for the diagnosis of meningococcal disease, and enhanced surveillance may help direct the public health response to the changing epidemiology of disease in North America.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Isolation and Contact Tracing with Country Samples: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cemal Koçak
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Modeling Studies ◽  
Health Response ◽  
High Level ◽  
Effective Public Health

Background: COVID-19 was first declared as an international public health emergency and then a pandemic by the WHO. In this systematic review, the importance of isolation and contact tracing has been explained, and what kinds of practices exist in different countries are mentioned. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines by searching articles from major medical databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL between Jan 1, 2020 and Apr 1, 2021. Observational and modeling studies written on contact tracing, screening, quarantine and isolation were included. Results: 27 observational and modeling studies were included. It was seen that rapid contact tracing to reduce the basic reproduction number (R0) from 3.11 to 0.21. Additionally, each new case requires an average of 36 people to be monitored. Since screening programs missed 75% of cases, high-level contact tracing should also be done simultaneously. Wide quarantine would prevent 79.27% deaths and 87.08% infections. Conclusion: Effective, rapid contact tracing is the cornerstone of an effective public health response in outbreaks. Its success depends on quickly identifying cases, gathering information from them about their last contacts, and tracing and isolating those contacts.

The Case Against Compulsory Casefinding in Controlling AIDS—Testing, Screening and Reporting

1987 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-53
Author(s):  
Lawrence O. Gostin ◽  
William J. Curran ◽  
Mary E. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health Response ◽  
High Risk Populations

AbstractThe spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) demands a comprehensive and effective public health response. Because no treatment or vaccine is currently available, traditional infection control measures are being considered. Proposals include compulsory testing and screening of selected high risk populations. The fairness and accuracy of compulsory screening programs depend upon the reliability of medical technology and the balancing of public health and individual confidentiality interests. This Article proposes criteria for evaluating compulsory testing and screening programs. It concludes that voluntary identification, education, and counselling of infected persons is the most effective means of encouraging the behavioral changes that are necessary to halt the spread of AIDS.

scholarly journals Public health response to a measles outbreak on a university campus in Australia, 2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-318
Author(s):  
J. Smith ◽  
S. Banu ◽  
M. Young ◽  
D. Francis ◽  
K. Langfeldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Domestic Students ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Student Enrolment ◽  
The University ◽  
Effective Public Health

AbstractThis report describes the effective public health response to a measles outbreak involving a university campus in Brisbane, Australia. Eleven cases in total were notified, mostly university students. The public health response included targeted measles vaccination clinics which were established on campus and focused on student groups most likely to have been exposed. The size of the university population, social interaction between students on and off campus, as well as limited vaccination records for the university community presented challenges for the control of this extremely infectious illness. We recommend domestic students ensure vaccinations are current prior to matriculation. Immunisation information should be included in university student enrolment packs. Incoming international students should ensure routine vaccinations are up-to-date prior to arrival in Australia, thereby reducing the risk of importation of measles and other infectious diseases.

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