scholarly journals Moving from rhetoric to action: how Africa can use scientific evidence to halt the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olushayo Oluseun Olu ◽  
Joy Luba Lomole Waya ◽  
Sylvester Maleghemi ◽  
John Rumunu ◽  
David Ameh ◽  
...  

Abstract The ongoing pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 has spread rapidly to all countries of the world. Africa is particularly predisposed to an escalation of the pandemic and its negative impact given its weak economy and health systems. In addition, inadequate access to the social determinants of health such as water and sanitation and socio-cultural attributes may constrain the implementation of critical preventive measures such as hand washing and social distancing on the continent. Given these facts, the continent needs to focus on targeted and high impact prevention and control strategies and interventions which could break the chain of transmission quickly. We conclude that the available body of scientific evidence on the coronavirus disease 2019 holds the key to the development of such strategies and interventions. Going forward, we recommend that the African research community should scale up research to provide scientific evidence for a better characterization of the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, prevention and control of the virus on the continent.

Complexity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Xiaomei Wang ◽  
Qi An ◽  
Zilong He ◽  
Wei Fang

Studying the structure and evolution characteristics of social networks is of great significance in assessing and controlling the outbreak of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to find research trends in this field. In this study, 1,752 documents (2001–2020) related to the relationship between the social network and epidemic published from Scopus, WOS (Web of Science), and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases were studied to provide a more comprehensive overview of the frontiers of research in this field, including epidemics in social networks, spread of disease, influence of different factors on the spread of the epidemic, prevention and control strategies of the epidemic, and comparison of various strategies. Besides, several new research directions in this field worthy of attention of researchers are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 521-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raimunda Xavier Alecrim ◽  
Mônica Taminato ◽  
Angélica Belasco ◽  
Maria Cristina Barbosa Longo ◽  
Denise Miyuki Kusahara ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify studies about strategies for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia deployed in health services and classify their level of evidence. Method: integrative review of the literature, in 7 databases, which included the following descriptors: Prevention and Control AND Pneumonia Ventilator-Associated AND Intensive Care Units AND Bundle AND Patient Care. Results: twenty-three scientific productions were included. Of the preventive measures identified, 9 (39.1%) correspond from three to five strategies. The most frequent were: 22 (95.6%) lying with head elevated, 19 (82.6%) oral hygiene with chlorhexidine and 14 (60.8%) reduction of sedation whenever possible. Final Consideration: the application of measures based on scientific evidence is proven to be effective when carried out in conjunction, impacting the reduction of the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Poremski ◽  
Sandra Henrietta Subner ◽  
Grace Lam Fong Kin ◽  
Raveen Dev Ram Dev ◽  
Mok Yee Ming ◽  
...  

The Institute of Mental Health in Singapore continues to attempt to prevent the introduction of COVID-19, despite community transmission. Essential services are maintained and quarantine measures are currently unnecessary. To help similar organizations, strategies are listed along three themes: sustaining essential services, preventing infection, and managing human and consumable resources.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Osman ◽  
Amanda J. Heath ◽  
Ragnar Löfstedt

Public regulators (such as European Food Safety Authority, European Medicines Agency, and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) are placing increasing demands on scientists to make uncertainties about their evidence transparent to the public. The stated goal is utilitarian, to inform and empower the public and ensure the accountability of policy and decision-making around the use of scientific evidence. However, it is questionable what constitutes uncertainty around the evidence on any given topic, and, while the goal is laudable, we argue the drive to increase transparency on uncertainty of the scientific process specifically does more harm than good, and may not serve the interests of those intended. While highlighting some of the practical implications of making uncertainties transparent using current guidelines, the aim is to discuss what could be done to make it worthwhile for both public and scientists.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1163
Author(s):  
So-Youn Youn ◽  
Ji-Youn Lee ◽  
You-Chan Bae ◽  
Yong-Kuk Kwon ◽  
Hye-Ryoung Kim

Infectious bronchitis viruses (IBVs) are evolving continuously via genetic drift and genetic recombination, making disease prevention and control difficult. In this study, we undertook genetic and pathogenic characterization of recombinant IBVs isolated from chickens in South Korea between 2003 and 2019. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 46 IBV isolates belonged to GI-19, which includes nephropathogenic IBVs. Ten isolates formed a new cluster, the genomic sequences of which were different from those of reference sequences. Recombination events in the S1 gene were identified, with putative parental strains identified as QX-like, KM91-like, and GI-15. Recombination detection methods identified three patterns (rGI-19-I, rGI-19-II, and rGI-19-III). To better understand the pathogenicity of recombinant IBVs, we compared the pathogenicity of GI-19 with that of the rGI-19s. The results suggest that rGI-19s may be more likely to cause trachea infections than GI-19, whereas rGI-19s were less pathogenic in the kidney. Additionally, the pathogenicity of rGI-19s varied according to the genotype of the major parent. These results indicate that genetic recombination between heterologous strains belonging to different genotypes has occurred, resulting in the emergence of new recombinant IBVs in South Korea.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vu Du ◽  
Pham Thai Dung ◽  
Nguyen Linh Toan ◽  
Can Mao ◽  
Nguyen Thanh Bac ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns. Maternal GBS colonization rates vary depending on geographic area, ethnic and social conditions worldwide. Many studies suggested the continuous surveillance of GBS to provide data to guide decision-making and planning prevention and control strategies. Here, we report the rate and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of GBS from Vietnamese pregnant women over 5 year period. Methods We worked with 3863 Vietnamese pregnant women at < 37 weeks of gestation at the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanoi, Vietnam from Jan 2016 to Dec 2020. The data were recorded and retrieved from the computerized laboratory database. GBS was identified according to the American Society for Microbiology’s guidelines. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by the VITEK 2 system or E-test strips. The results were calculated according to the MIC breakpoints recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Results The positivity for GBS was 8.02% (310/3863) and the highest resistance rate was to tetracycline 89.66% (234/261), followed by 76.23% (202/265) for erythromycin, 58.21% (156/268) for clindamycin. The multidrug-resistance rate was 59.19% (161/272), and 8.46% (23/272) of isolates were resistant to 6 to 7 of the 12 antibiotics. Resistance to clindamycin in the absence of erythromycin resistance was found in 6/272 (2.2%) samples. The resistance rate to clindamycin was significantly increased (p < 0.01) over the time study period. Nevertheless, all isolates were sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, quinupristin/dalfopristin, and vancomycin. Conclusion Our results indicate that penicillin and ampicillin are currently the drugs of choice for the prevention and treatment of GBS-related diseases for Vietnamese pregnant women. However, antibiotic resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was high. Thus, it reinforces the need for continuous surveillance of GBS to provide data to guide planning prevention and control strategies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Vannucci Capelletti ◽  
Ângela Maria Moraes

Water is the main stimulus for the development of microorganisms, and its flow has an important role in the spreading of contaminants. In hospitals, the water distribution system requires special attention since it can be a source of pathogens, including those in the form of biofilms often correlated with resistance of microorganisms to various treatments. In this paper, information relevant to cases of nosocomial infections involving water circuits as a source of contaminants is compiled, with emphasis on the importance of microbiological control strategies to prevent the installation, spreading and growth of microorganisms in hospitals. An overview of the worldwide situation is provided, with emphasis on Brazilian hospitals. Different approaches normally used to control the occurrence of nosocomial infections due to waterborne contaminants are analyzed, and the use of the polysaccharide chitosan for this specific application is briefly discussed.


Complexity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yi-Cheng Zhang ◽  
Zhi Li ◽  
Guo-Bing Zhou ◽  
Nai-Ru Xu ◽  
Jia-Bao Liu

After the occurrence of public health emergencies, due to the uncertainty of the evolution of events and the asymmetry of pandemic information, the public’s risk perception will fluctuate dramatically. Excessive risk perception often causes the public to overreact to emergencies, resulting in irrational behaviors, which have a negative impact on economic development and social order. However, low-risk perception will reduce individual awareness of prevention and control, which is not conducive to the implementation of government pandemic prevention and control measures. Therefore, it is of great significance to accurately evaluate public risk perception for improving government risk management. This paper took the evolution of public risk perception based on the COVID-19 region as the research object. First, we analyze the characteristics of infectious diseases in the evolution of public risk perception of public health emergencies. Second, we analyze the characteristics of risk perception transmission in social networks. Third, we establish the dynamic model of public risk perception evolution based on SEIR, and the evolution mechanism of the public risk perception network is revealed through simulation experiments. Finally, we provide policy suggestions for government departments to deal with public health emergencies based on the conclusions of this study.


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