scholarly journals Evolving global and national criteria for identifying a suspected case of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 030006052093894
Author(s):  
Amporn Atsawarungruangkit ◽  
Jin Yuan ◽  
Takamitsu Kodama ◽  
Ming-Tai Cheng ◽  
Mohammad Mansouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
World Health ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Health Insurance System ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
International Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Epidemiological Risk ◽  
Health Organization

Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began in December 2019 and continues to spread worldwide. Rapid and accurate identification of suspected cases is critical in slowing spread of the virus that causes the disease. We aimed to highlight discrepancies in the various criteria used by international agencies and highly impacted individual countries around the world. Methods We reviewed the criteria for identifying a suspected case of COVID-19 used by two international public health agencies and 10 countries across Asia, Europe, and North America. The criteria included information on the clinical causes of illness and epidemiological risk factors. Non-English language guidelines were translated into English by a co-author who is fluent in that particular language. Results Although most criteria are modifications of World Health Organization recommendations, the specific clinical features and epidemiological risks for triggering evaluation of patients with suspected COVID-19 differed widely among countries. The rationale for these differences may be related to each country’s resources, politics, experience with previous outbreaks or pandemics, health insurance system, COVID-19 outbreak severity, and other undetermined factors. Conclusion We found no consensus regarding the best diagnostic criteria for identifying a suspected case of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Evolving Global and National Criteria for Identifying a Suspected Case of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amporn atsawarungruangkit ◽  
Jin Yuan ◽  
Takamitsu Kodama ◽  
Ming-Tai Cheng ◽  
Mohammad Mansouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
English Language ◽  
World Health ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
International Agencies ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began in December 2019 and is spreading rapidly. Rapid and accurate identification of suspected cases is critical in suppressing viral spread. We aimed to highlight the discrepancies in the varying criteria used by international agencies and highly impacted individual countries worldwide.Methods: The criteria from two international agencies and ten countries across Asia, Europe, and North America were reviewed. Each included information on the clinical causes of illness and epidemiology risk factors. Non-English language guidelines were translated into English by one of the co-authors who was fluent in that language. Results: Although the majority of criteria are modified from the World Health Organization recommendations, the specific clinical features and epidemiological risks for triggering evaluation of COVID-19 in suspected patients differed widely among nations. The rationale for these differences may be linked to each individual country’s resources, politics, experience with previous outbreaks or pandemics, health insurance systems, severity of the COVID-19 situation, and other undetermined factors. Conclusion: There was no consensus on the single best criteria for identifying a suspected case of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Soap, water, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): an ancient handwashing strategy for preventing dissemination of a novel virus

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12041
Author(s):  
M. Khalid Ijaz ◽  
Raymond W. Nims ◽  
Sarah de Szalay ◽  
Joseph R. Rubino
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
World Health ◽  
Pathogen Inactivation ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control

Public Health Agencies worldwide (World Health Organization, United States Centers for Disease Prevention & Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, etc.) are recommending hand washing with soap and water for preventing the dissemination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. In this review, we have discussed the mechanisms of decontamination by soap and water (involving both removal and inactivation), described the contribution of the various components of formulated soaps to performance as cleansers and to pathogen inactivation, explained why adherence to recommended contact times is critical, evaluated the possible contribution of water temperature to inactivation, discussed the advantages of antimicrobial soaps vs. basic soaps, discussed the differences between use of soap and water vs. alcohol-based hand sanitizers for hand decontamination, and evaluated the limitations and advantages of different methods of drying hands following washing. While the paper emphasizes data applicable to SARS-CoV-2, the topics discussed are germane to most emerging and re-emerging enveloped and non-enveloped viruses and many other pathogen types.

scholarly journals Soap, Water, and SARS-CoV-2: An Ancient Handwashing Strategy for Preventing Dissemination of a New Virus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Khalid Ijaz ◽  
Raymond Nims ◽  
Sarah de Szalay ◽  
Joseph R. Rubino
Keyword(s):  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
World Health ◽  
Pathogen Inactivation ◽  
Enveloped Viruses ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control

Public Health Agencies worldwide (World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, etc.) are recommending hand washing with soap and water for preventing the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this review, we have discussed the mechanism of decontamination by soap and water (involving both removal and inactivation), described the contribution of the various components of formulated soaps to performance as cleansers and to pathogen inactivation, explained why adherence to recommended contact times is critical, evaluated the possible contribution of water temperature to inactivation, discussed the advantages of antimicrobial soaps versus basic soaps, discussed the differences between use of soap and water versus alcohol-based hand sanitizers for hand decontamination, and evaluated the limitations and advantages of different methods of drying hands following washing. While the paper emphasizes data applicable to SARS-CoV-2, the topics discussed are germane to most emerging and re-emerging enveloped and non-enveloped viruses and other pathogens.

scholarly journals Evidence Review and Practice Recommendation on the Material, Design, and Maintenance of Cloth Masks

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. e42-e46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Paulo Sunjaya ◽  
Lidia Morawska
Keyword(s):  
Material Design ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Practice Recommendation ◽  
Evidence Review ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Single Material

ABSTRACTDespite numerous masking recommendations from public health agencies, including the World Health Organization, editorials, and commentaries providing support for this notion, none had examined different homemade masks or demonstrated that perhaps not all cloth masks are the same. This article aims to provide evidence-based recommendations on cloth-mask materials, its design, and, importantly, its maintenance. Articles were obtained from PubMed and preprint servers up to June 10, 2020. Current evidence suggests that filtration effectiveness can range from 3% to 95%. Multiple layer (hybrid) homemade masks made from a combination of high density 100% cotton and materials with electrostatic charge would be more effective than one made from a single material. Mask fit greatly affects filtration efficiency, and adding an overhead knot or nylon overlay potentially provides the best fit for cloth masks. There is a paucity of evidence for masks maintenance as most studies are in the laboratory setting; however, switching every 4 hours as in medical masks and stored in dedicated containers while awaiting disinfection is recommended. Outside of these recommendations to improve the effectiveness of cloth masks to reduce infection transmission, there is a need for countries to set up independent testing labs for homemade masks made based on locally available materials. This can use existing occupational health laboratories usually used for accrediting masks and respirators.

scholarly journals Wikipedia and the National Cancer Institute Website Appear to Offer Similar Osteosarcoma Information for Patients

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Kate Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Health Professional ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
National Cancer Institute ◽  
English Language ◽  
World Health ◽  
Language Version ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Professional Information ◽  
Health Organization

A Review of: Leithner, A., Werner, M., Glehr, M., Friesenbichler, J., Keithner, K., & Windhager R. (2010). Wikipedia and osteosarcoma: A trustworthy patients' information? Journal of the Medical Informatics Association, 17(4), 373-374. Objective – To compare the completeness and accuracy of information about osteosarcoma in Wikipedia to information found on the patient and health professional versions of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) website. Design – Comparative study, test against 20 item questionnaire and expert opinion. Setting – n/a. Subjects – n/a. Methods – The authors developed a 20-item questionnaire to test the completeness and accuracy of information on osteosarcoma in Wikipedia and on the “patient version and the health professional version of the National Cancer Institute’s website as ‘official’ reference websites” (p. 373). Three independent observers, two surgeons specializing in musculoskeletal tumour surgery and a medical student, tested the English language version of Wikipedia and the NCI “websites” on April 3, 2009. Answers to the 20 questions found on the websites were scored from zero to three and were discussed with a member of the “German board for guidelines in musculoskeletal surgery” (p. 373) and verified against international guidelines published by the World Health Organization. Data was analyzed using SPSS and group comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U test with p-values of less than 0.05 significance. Main Results – The quality of information about osteosarcoma found in the English language version of Wikipedia was good but inferior to the patient information from NCI. Out of a total of 60 points Wikipedia scored 33, NCI patient information 40 and NCI professional information 50. There was no significant difference between the NCI patient information and Wikipedia but a significant difference (p=0.039) between Wikipedia and NCI professional information. Conclusion – Non-peer reviewed websites providing health information, such as Wikipedia, should include links to sites such as NCI and other more definitive sources such as professional and international organizations. Frequent checks should be used to ensure external links are of the highest quality.

Quality of media reporting following a celebrity suicide in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikas Menon ◽  
Sujita Kumar Kar ◽  
Natarajan Varadharajan ◽  
Charanya Kaliamoorthy ◽  
Jigyansa Ipsita Pattnaik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Online News ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
World Health ◽  
Media Reporting ◽  
Local Language ◽  
Celebrity Suicide ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background Celebrity suicides have the potential to trigger suicide contagion, particularly when media reporting is detailed and imbalanced. We aimed to assess the quality of media reporting of suicide of a popular Indian entertainment celebrity against the World Health Organization (WHO) suicide reporting guidelines. Methods Relevant news articles that reported the actor’s suicide were retrieved from online news portals of regional and English language newspapers and television channels in the immediate week following the event. Deductive content analysis of these articles was done using a pre-designed data extraction form. Results A total of 573 news articles were analyzed. Several breaches of reporting were noted in relation to mentioning the word ‘celebrity’ in the title of report (14.7%), inclusion of the deceased’s photograph (88.5%), detailed descriptions of the method (50.4%) and location of suicide (70.6%); local language newspapers were more culpable than English newspapers. Helpful reporting characteristics such as mentioning warning signs (4.1%), including educational information (2.7%) and suicide support line details (14.0%) were rarely practiced. Conclusion Media reporting of celebrity suicide in India is imbalanced and poorly adherent to suicide reporting recommendations. Local language news reports display more frequent and serious violations in reporting as opposed to English news articles.

scholarly journals Post-polio eradication: vaccination strategies and options for India

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayakrishnan Thayyil ◽  
Thejus Jayakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
International Health ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Oral Polio Vaccine ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
World Health ◽  
Wild Poliovirus ◽  
Polio Vaccine ◽  
Vaccination Strategies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Health Organization

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis globally. Since then, the initiative has reported dramatic progress in decreasing the incidence of poliomyelitis and limiting the geographical extent of transmission. 2013 is recorded as the second consecutive year not reporting wild poliovirus (WPV) from India. If the country can retain this position for one more year India will be declared as polio eradicated. What should be the future vaccination strategies? We searched and reviewed the full text of the available published literature on polio eradication via PubMed and examined Internet sources and websites of major international health agencies. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) has been the main tool in the polio eradication program. Once WPV transmission is interrupted, the poliomyelitis will be caused only by OPV. India could expect 1 vaccine-associated paralytic polio per 4.2-4.6 million doses of OPV. Considering the threat of vaccine-derived viruses to polio eradication, WHO urged to develop a strategy to safely discontinue OPV after certification. The ultimate aim is to stop OPV safely and effectively, and eventually substitute with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The argument against the use of IPV is its cost. From India, field based data were available on the efficacy of IPV, which was better than OPV. IPV given intradermally resulted in seroconversion rates similar to full-dose intramuscular vaccine. The incremental cost of adopting IPV to replace OPV is relatively low, about US $1 per child per year, and most countries should be able to afford this additional cost.

Media Reporting of the Emergence of the 1968 Influenza Pandemic in Hong Kong: Implications for Modern-day Situational Awareness

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. S148-S153 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Wilson ◽  
Marissa Iannarone ◽  
Chunhui Wang
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
News Media ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
English Language ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
World Health ◽  
Media Reporting ◽  
Health Organization

ABSTRACTObjective: We investigated local media reporting during the emergence of influenza A/Hong Kong/68 in Hong Kong to understand how indolent social awareness contributed to delays in warning of the pandemic.Methods: Daily output from 1 English-language and 4 local Chinese-language newspapers published in Hong Kong between July 1 and August 31, 1968 were manually reviewed for all references to the presence of respiratory disease or influenza in southern China and Hong Kong. Public announcements from the World Health Organization Weekly Epidemiological Record were used to approximate international awareness.Results: Influenza A/Hong Kong/68 appeared abruptly in Hong Kong and within 1 week began to affect the functioning of the health care sector as well as civil infrastructure due to worker infection and absenteeism. Substantial delays in communication between Guangzhou, China, and Hong Kong officials contributed to delays in warning globally.Conclusions: The 1968 experience emphasizes the need to use the news media in the operational setting as a critical component in warning of a pandemic. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 2):S148–S153)

scholarly journals Evaluating Trauma Care Capabilities using the Essential Trauma Care Guidelines of the World Health Organization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha Al Balushi ◽  
Zaleikha Al Balushi ◽  
Asma Ali Al Salmani
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Trauma Care ◽  
English Language ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Medical Officer ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
World Health ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate trauma care capabilities at the primary care level in Muscat, Oman, using World Health Organization guidelines. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2015 at eight primary health centres in Seeb. An English-language questionnaire was distributed to the medical officer or nurse in charge at each centre to determine the number of staff, total population being served, number of emergency trauma cases and availability of ambulances. Subsequently, 10 doctors from each health centre were randomly selected to assess the availability of physical resources as well as their trauma skills and knowledge. Results: There were limited physical and human resources for the management of trauma and a complete absence of trauma administrative functions, such as local trauma registries or quality improvement activities. Conclusion: This study highlighted the need to introduce national guidelines and improve the delivery of trauma services in Oman. Keywords: Primary Healthcare; Trauma; Emergency Medicine; Capacity Building; Health Resources; Delivery of Health Care; Oman.

scholarly journals Online National Health Agency Mask Guidance for the Public in Light of COVID-19: Content Analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linnea Laestadius ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Ziyad Ben Taleb ◽  
Mohammad Ebrahimi Kalan ◽  
Young Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
General Public ◽  
English Language ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
World Health ◽  
Language Version ◽  
The Status ◽  
Health Organization

BACKGROUND The rapid global spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has compelled national governments to issue guidance on the use of face masks for members of the general public. To date, no work has assessed how this guidance differs across governments. OBJECTIVE This study seeks to contribute to a rational and consistent global response to infectious disease by determining how guidelines differ across nations and regions. METHODS A content analysis of health agency mask guidelines on agency websites was performed in late March 2020 among 25 countries and regions with large numbers of COVID-19 cases. Countries and regions were assigned across the coding team by language proficiency, with Google Translate used as needed. When available, both the original and English language version of guidance were reviewed. RESULTS All examined countries and regions had some form of guidance online, although detail and clarity differed. Although 9 countries and regions recommended surgical, medical, or unspecified masks in public and poorly ventilated places, 16 recommended against people wearing masks in public. There were 2 countries that explicitly recommended against fabric masks. In addition, 12 failed to outline the minimum basic World Health Organization guidance for masks. CONCLUSIONS Online guidelines for face mask use to prevent COVID-19 in the general public are currently inconsistent across nations and regions, and have been changing often. Efforts to create greater standardization and clarity should be explored in light of the status of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.

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