SARS — a response from a health protection unit

2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 12-15
Author(s):  
L Lighton
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Laboratory Services ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Control Situations ◽  
Control Procedures ◽  
The Media ◽  
Ongoing Surveillance

On 17 March 2003 a 64-year-old man was admitted to hospital in Greater Manchester with a diagnosis of probable SARS. The Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit coordinated the public health response. Issues that needed to be addressed included: clarifying the diagnosis, management of contacts, infection control procedures, laboratory services, ongoing surveillance and managing the media response. The principles used for the management of this incident are applicable to many other communicable disease and infection control situations.

Health Protection

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Environmental Public Health ◽  
Health Response

This book is an accessible and practical core text on the three domains of health protection: Communicable Disease Control, Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR), and protection of the public from environmental hazards (Environmental Public Health). The editors have attempted to develop an “all hazards approach” to dealing with health protection situations. Most health protection books confine themselves to one of the three domains, whereas this book presents a practical and all hazards approach, with some account of the overarching principles of health protection on which day-to-day practice rests. The target audience is health protection practitioners, students, doctors, nurses and other non-medical professionals who may encounter health protection issues in their daily practice. From a clear introduction to the essential principles of health protection work, the book guides readers through how to manage real health protection incidents using a combination of case studies and quick reference action checklists. Each case study provides a common health protection scenario which develops in stages, in the same way as a real-life case or incident. As the story unfolds, the reader will learn about the nature and significance of the specific threat to population health, the practical steps and issues involved in an effective public health response and the health protection principles underpinning that response. Other chapters outline the general principles of health protection, providing a deeper understanding of key tools and mechanisms, as well as insights into new and emerging health protection issues. A series of individual checklists dealing with a broad range of commonly-faced diseases, hazards and incidents complete the book. These give concise and practically-focused information that can be used even by non-specialists in time-pressured situations. In particular, the variety of chapters covered throughout the book, on Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response, and Environmental Public Health, offer a unique perspective borne out of practical experience, not easily accessible elsewhere.

COVID-19 Case Investigations Among Federally Quarantined Evacuees From Wuhan, China, and Exposed Personnel at a US Military Base, United States, February 5-21, 2020

2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492110634
Author(s):  
Meagan R. Chuey ◽  
Rebekah J. Stewart ◽  
Maroya Walters ◽  
Emily J. Curren ◽  
Susan L. Hills ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Military Base ◽  
Case Identification ◽  
Us Military ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Control Procedures

In February 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, 232 evacuees from Wuhan, China, were placed under federal 14-day quarantine upon arrival at a US military base in San Diego, California. We describe the monitoring of evacuees and responders for symptoms of COVID-19, case and contact investigations, infection control procedures, and lessons learned to inform future quarantine protocols for evacuated people from a hot spot resulting from a novel pathogen. Thirteen (5.6%) evacuees had COVID-19–compatible symptoms and 2 (0.9%) had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Two case investigations identified 43 contacts; 3 (7.0%) contacts had symptoms but tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Daily symptom and temperature screening of evacuees and enacted infection control procedures resulted in rapid case identification and isolation and no detected secondary transmission among evacuees or responders. Lessons learned highlight the challenges associated with public health response to a novel pathogen and the evolution of mitigation strategies as knowledge of the pathogen evolves.

scholarly journals England’s Chief Medical Officer announces first national strategy against infectious disease

2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Twisselmann
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Medical Officer ◽  
Chief Medical Officer ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
National Strategy ◽  
Communicable Disease Report

The Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, has published the first ever national strategy for combating infectious disease, as reported in last week’s Communicable Disease Report (1). Getting ahead of the curve – a strategy for combating infectious disease <www.doh.gov.uk/cmo/idstrategy/index.htm> outlines a strategy that is radical in including infection control in the wider remit of health protection

scholarly journals 2462. Public Health Response to Contain the First Outbreak of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Minnesota

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S852-S852
Author(s):  
Brittany VonBank ◽  
Sean O’Malley ◽  
Paula Snippes Vagnone ◽  
Mary Ellen Bennett ◽  
Tammy Hale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
The United States ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Surveillance Culture ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Health Response

Abstract Background Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) producing the New Delhi-metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) carbapenemase are uncommon in the United States but are a serious threat for untreatable antibiotic-resistant infections. In Minnesota (MN), NDM-CRE is typically associated with receipt of healthcare abroad. We describe the public health response to contain the first outbreak of NDM-CRE in MN. Methods CRE is reportable, with isolate submission to the MN Department of Health (MDH) for MALDI-TOF identification, phenotypic carbapenemase production testing, and PCR for carbapenemase genes. On December 24, 2018, MDH identified a case of NDM-K. pneumoniae in a long-term care facility (LTCF) without travel. MDH initiated an investigation. We defined a case as having NDM-K. pneumoniae matching the outbreak PFGE pattern from a clinical or surveillance culture. Cases were identified through surveillance, point prevalence survey (PPS) rectal swab colonization testing, and PFGE at MDH. MDH collected a healthcare exposure history for all cases. A containment response occurred in any facility where a case received healthcare in the 30 days prior. Results Nine cases of clonal NDM-K. pneumoniae with specimen collection dates between December 24, 2018 and March 26, 2019 were identified; 8 were residents of LTCF A and 1 was a roommate in LTCF B of a former LTCF A resident. PPS testing of 260 healthcare contacts occurred in 6 facilities, including LTCF A, LTCF B, and 4 acute care hospitals (ACH) that accepted LTCF A transfers; 7/9 cases were identified through PPS and 2/9 cases were identified through CRE surveillance. One case from LTCF A was identified in an ACH, but PPS did not identify transmission in ACHs. MDH conducted on-site infection control assessments in 2 LTCFs, identified numerous infection control (IC) lapses at LTCF A, and provided telephone IC consultation to 4 ACHs. Conclusion Surveillance and PPS uncovered an outbreak of NDM CRE in 2 LTCFs. Patient transfers led to a regional public health response lasting several months that included IC consultation and additional PPS. Intervention to coordinate containment responses among interconnected healthcare facilities is critical to containing the spread of novel resistance mechanisms in the United States. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the Media

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (S1) ◽  
pp. S48-S50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli N. Perencevich ◽  
Debbie M. Treise
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Social Representation ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
The Public ◽  
Community Influences ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Social Representation Theory ◽  
The Media

How the media communicate and how the scientific community influences the media are important factors to consider in the public health response to emerging pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Social representation theory suggests that the media link “the threatening” to commonplace “anchor representations,” which can serve to educate or to create fear.

The impact of the media on the decision of parents in South Wales to accept measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunization

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 550-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. WALSH ◽  
D. Rh. THOMAS ◽  
B. W. MASON ◽  
M. R. EVANS
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Pressure Groups ◽  
Outbreak Area ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYA large measles outbreak occurred in South Wales in 2012/2013. The outbreak has been attributed to low take-up of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunization in the early 2000s. To understand better the factors that led to this outbreak we present the findings of a case-control study carried out in the outbreak area in 2001 to investigate parents' decision on whether to accept MMR. Parents who decided not to take-up MMR at the time were more likely to be older and better educated, more likely to report being influenced by newspapers [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3·07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·62–5·80], television (aOR 3·30, 95% CI 1·70–6·43), the internet (aOR 7·23, 3·26–16·06) and vaccine pressure groups (aOR 5·20, 95% CI 2·22–12·16), and less likely to be influenced by a health visitor (aOR 0·30, 95% CI 0·16–0·57). In this area of Wales, daily English-language regional newspapers, UK news programmes and the internet appeared to have a powerful negative influence. We consider the relevance of these findings to the epidemiology of the outbreak and the subsequent public health response.

Developing a Performance Assessment Framework and Indicators for Communicable Disease Management in Natural Disasters

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Babaie ◽  
Ali Ardalan ◽  
Hasan Vatandoost ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Goya ◽  
Ali Akbarisari
Keyword(s):  
Disease Management ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
A Performance

AbstractIntroductionCommunicable disease management (CDM) is an important component of disaster public health response operations. However, there is a lack of any performance assessment (PA) framework and related indicators for the PA. This study aimed to develop a PA framework and indicators in CDM in disasters.MethodsIn this study, a series of methods were used. First, a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed in order to extract the existing PA frameworks and indicators. Then, using a qualitative approach, some interviews with purposively selected experts were conducted and used in developing the PA framework and indicators. Finally, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used for weighting of the developed indicators.ResultsThe input, process, products, and outcomes (IPPO) framework was found to be an appropriate framework for CDM PA. Seven main functions were revealed to CDM during disasters. Forty PA indicators were developed for the four categories.ConclusionThere is a lack of any existing PA framework in CDM in disasters. Thus, in this study, a PA framework (IPPO framework) was developed for the PA of CDM in disasters through a series of methods. It can be an appropriate framework and its indicators could measure the performance of CDM in disasters.BabaieJ, ArdalanA, VatandoostH, GoyaMM, AkbarisariA. Developing a performance assessment framework and indicators for communicable disease management in natural disasters. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(1):27–35.

Role of Media in Health Literacy

2021 ◽  
pp. 172-179
Author(s):  
Seçil Özkan ◽  
Hülya Şirin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Good Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Gains ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Media ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization defines health literacy as the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health. Health literacy improves the life expectancy and quality and removes health inequalities. Health literacy includes the stages of reading, listening, analyzing, participating, and making decisions and adapting to life. An infodemic is an overabundance of information. It includes deliberate attempts to disseminate wrong information to undermine the public health response and advance alternative agendas of groups or individuals. Mis- or disinformation can be harmful to people's health, threaten precious health gains, and lead to poor observance of public health measures, thus endangering countries' ability to stop the pandemic. Media is one of the important sectors in health and health literacy. The concepts of infodemic became a current issue with the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed how important the role the media plays in intervening the health problems is.

Quarantine in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and other Emerging Infectious Diseases

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (S4) ◽  
pp. 63-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Speakman ◽  
Fernando González-Martin ◽  
Tony Perez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Public Health Officials

SARS and monkeypox have given the public health community a unique opportunity to examine the use of quarantine measures. Until recently, the word “quarantine”was not used in polite conversation, and evoked unsavory images. The recent SARS epidemic illustrated the important role of quarantine and isolation as a public health response to communicable disease.As public health officials in Toronto began to take control of the SARS epidemic, a second wave of the disease (SARS II) emerged. In the first SARS epidemic, approximately 8,200 individuals were isolated. There were approximately 82 probable cases, 66 suspect cases, and 24 deaths. On May 22, 2003, SARS II emerged. In total, approximately 13,000 people were quarantined. SARS II saw the onset of difficult questions being asked about the control and spread of SARS.The province of Ontario establishes the public health policies and legislative framework for the entire province.

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