scholarly journals Measles surveillance in Canada, 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-160
Author(s):  
Cameron Coulby ◽  
Francesca Reyes Domingo ◽  
Joanne Hiebert ◽  
Susan G Squires
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
The Public ◽  
Measles Elimination ◽  
Genotype Information ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
Surveillance Report ◽  
One Year ◽  
Health Organization

Background: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has conducted enhanced measles surveillance since 1998, the year endemic measles transmission was eliminated in Canada. The objective of this annual national measles surveillance report is to provide an epidemiologic summary of measles activity reported in Canada for 2019 in order to provide evidence to support the continued verification of Canada’s measles elimination status. Methods: Measles surveillance data are housed in the Canadian Measles and Rubella Surveillance System (CMRSS) database. Descriptive analyses of demographics and risk factors were performed. Outbreak characteristics were summarized and genotypic analyses conducted. Surveillance, laboratory and vaccine coverage data for 2019 were used to assess Canada’s status against the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) essential criteria for the verification of measles elimination. Results: In 2019, 113 measles cases were reported in Canada (crude incidence rate of 3.0 cases per 1,000,000 population). Of these cases, 42 (37%) were imported into Canada, and of the imported cases, 12 (29%) resulted in further transmission. Infants younger than one year had the highest age-specific incidence rate at 13.1 cases per 1,000,000 population. Only 29% of cases had one or more documented doses of measles-containing vaccine. One-fifth (19%) of cases were hospitalized; no deaths were reported. Genotype information was available for 100% of outbreaks reported in 2019 and 90% of non-outbreak-related measles cases; of cases with genotype information available, 27% were B3 and 73% were D8. Conclusion: Despite meeting/partially meeting only three out of four of PAHO’s essential criteria for measles elimination status, there is no evidence that endemic measles transmission has been reestablished in Canada.

scholarly journals Genomic surveillance of a resurgence of COVID-19 in Guangzhou, China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhou-Bin Zhang ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
Hong-Jie Liu ◽  
Jia-Yong Zhong ◽  
Yingfeng Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
The Public ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract In the middle of March, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection a global pandemic. While China experienced a dramatic decline in daily growth rate of COVID-19, multiple importations of new cases from other countries and their related local infections caused a rapid rise. Between March 12 and April 15, we collected nasopharyngeal samples from 109 imported cases from 25 countries and 69 local cases in Guangzhou, China. In order to characterize the transmission patterns and genetic evolution of this virus among different populations, we sequenced the genome of SARS-CoV-2. The imported viral strains were assigned to lineages distributed in Europe (33.0%), America (17.4%), Africa (25.7%), or Southeast/West Asia (23.9%). Importantly, 10 imported cases from Africa formed two novel sub-lineages not identified in global tree previously. A detailed analysis showed that the imported viral strains from Philippines and Pakistan were closely related and within the same sub-lineage, whereas Ethiopia had varied lineages in the African phylogenetic tree. In spite of the diversity of imported SARS-CoV-2, 60 of 69 local infections could be traced back to two specific small lineages imported from Africa. A combined genetic and epidemiological analysis revealed a high-resolution transmission network of the imported SARS-CoV-2 in local communities, which might help inform the public health response and genomic surveillance in other cities and regions. Finally, we observed in-frame deletions on seven loci of SARS-CoV-2 genome, some of which were intra-host mutations, and they exhibited no enrichment on the S protein. Our findings provide new insight into the viral phylodynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and beta coronavirus.

scholarly journals The Pan American Health Organization: New challenges, new roles, new responsibilities.

2013 ◽  
pp. 5-6
Author(s):  
Diego Bernardini-Zambrini
Keyword(s):  
Political Action ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Record ◽  
Great Relevance ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Health Organization

PAHO is the oldest international public health agency. It was created in 1902 as a mandate from a regional group of countries. Besides currently serving as WHO´s Regional Office for the Americas it is the specialized health agency for the Organization of American States (OAS); thus it must render accountability at two levels. PAHO is intimately linked to the development of regional health in the Americas and, therefore, to societal development in the countries from which it is composed. A new Director has been elected this year, Dr. Carissa Etienne, who will guide the institution for at least the next five years.Thus PAHO is experiencing a period of change, a period of great relevance for defining the architecture, operation and agenda of the organization. The new role of the organization will be formed from the definition of the political action agenda, generating broad consensus on regional and global levels, as well as the public record of the health priorities and actions of the institution. Transforming the needs, the desires into effective public policies and communicating effectively its achievements and aspirations, will not only increase its support but legitimize its technical authority. This can be distilled as capacity for leadership.

scholarly journals Measles Elimination: Identifying Susceptible Sub-Populations to Tailor Immunization Strategies

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kreidl ◽  
David Ammerer ◽  
Reinhard Würzner ◽  
Anita Luckner Hornischer ◽  
Dorothee von Laer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Incidence Data ◽  
Measles Elimination ◽  
Seroprevalence Data ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Health Organization

Measles elimination has been identified as a public health priority in Europe for a long time but has not yet been achieved. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends identification of susceptible sub-populations to target supplementary immunization activities. We used three different sources of information: retrospective samples investigated for measles IgG between 1997 and 2016, vaccine coverage data from the existing electronic registry for birth cohorts 2015 to 1999, and surveillance data from 2009 until 20 July 2019. We calculated susceptibility by birth cohort using seroprevalence data, adjusting vaccine coverage data with reported effectiveness (93% for the first and 97% for the second dose, respectively), and compared it with measles incidence data, aggregated by birth cohorts and districts. Susceptibility levels for persons 10–41 years (birth cohorts 2007–1976) were 10.4% and thus far above the recommended values of WHO (5%). Older birth cohorts were sufficiently protected. Districts with the highest susceptibility estimates corresponded with districts with the highest incidence rates. Birth cohorts with susceptibility levels > 10% showed a 4.7 increased relative risk of having had more than one measles case. We conclude that retrospective serosurveys are a cheap and useful approach in identifying susceptible sub-populations, especially for older birth cohorts whose coverage data remain scarce.

scholarly journals WHO criteria for measles elimination: a critique with reference to criteria for polio elimination

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (50) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kelly ◽  
M Riddell ◽  
A Heywood ◽  
S Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Good Reason ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
World Health ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Who Criteria ◽  
Measles Elimination ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
One Year ◽  
Health Organization

Smallpox was formally declared as eradicated in 1979. Smallpox is the only infectious disease of humans that has ever been eradicated. Poliomyelitis has been eliminated from three of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions although not all countries within those regions always meet the elimination criteria. Elimination criteria for measles are being discussed. We use poliomyelitis and measles as examples to illustrate our assertion that the current approach to documenting measles elimination relies too heavily on criteria for surveillance quality, disadvantaging countries with long established and relatively inflexible surveillance systems. We propose an alternative approach to documenting measles elimination, with the two key criteria being molecular evidence to confirm the lack of a circulating endemic genotype for at least one year and maintenance of 95% coverage of one dose of measles-containing vaccine, with an opportunity for a second dose. Elimination status should be reviewed annually. We suggest four principles that should guide development of final criteria to document measles elimination: countries that have eliminated measles should be able to meet the elimination criteria; quality surveillance criteria are necessary but not sufficient to define elimination; quality surveillance criteria should be guided by elimination criteria, not the other way around; and elimination criteria should not differ between the WHO regions without good reason.

scholarly journals Rapid review of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in paediatrics: What we know one year later

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 466-472
Author(s):  
Megan Striha ◽  
Rojiemiahd Edjoc ◽  
Natalie Bresee ◽  
Nicole Atchessi ◽  
Lisa Waddell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Kawasaki Disease ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
The Public ◽  
One Year ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging condition that was first identified in paediatrics at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The condition is also known as pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (PIMS-TS or PIMS), and multiple definitions have been established for this condition that share overlapping features with Kawasaki Disease and toxic shock syndrome. Methods: A review was conducted to identify literature describing the epidemiology of MIS-C, published up until March 9, 2021. A database established at the Public Health Agency of Canada with COVID-19 literature was searched for articles referencing MIS-C, PIMS or Kawasaki Disease in relation to COVID-19. Results: A total of 195 out of 988 articles were included in the review. The median age of MIS-C patients was between seven and 10 years of age, although children of all ages (and adults) can be affected. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children disproportionately affected males (58% patients), and Black and Hispanic children seem to be at an elevated risk for developing MIS-C. Roughly 62% of MIS-C patients required admission to an intensive care unit, with one in five patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Between 0% and 2% of MIS-C patients died, depending on the population and available interventions. Conclusion: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children can affect children of all ages. A significant proportion of patients required intensive care unit and mechanical ventilation and 0%–2% of cases resulted in fatalities. More evidence is needed on the role of race, ethnicity and comorbidities in the development of MIS-C.

scholarly journals Developing indicators for evaluation of age-friendly communities in Canada: process and results

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 214-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Orpana ◽  
M. Chawla ◽  
E. Gallagher ◽  
E. Escaravage
Keyword(s):  
Health Agency ◽  
World Health ◽  
Collective Impact ◽  
The Public ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Global Age ◽  
Key Policy ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
User Friendly

Introduction In 2006, the World Health Organization launched the Global Age-Friendly Cities Project to support active aging. Canada has a large number of age-friendly initiatives; however, little is known about the effectiveness and outcomes of age-friendly community (AFC) initiatives. In addition, stakeholders report that they lack the capacity and tools to develop and conduct evaluations of their AFC initiatives. In order to address these gaps, the Public Health Agency of Canada developed indicators to support the evaluation of AFC initiatives relevant to a wide range of Canadian communities. These indicators meet the varied needs of communities, but are not designed to evaluate collective impact or enable crosscommunity comparisons. Methods An evidence-based, iterative consultation approach was used to develop indicators for AFCs. This involved a literature review and an environmental scan. Two rounds of key expert and stakeholder consultations were conducted to rate potential indicators according to their importance, actionability and feasibility. A final list of indicators and potential measures were developed based on results from these consultations, as well as key policy considerations. Results Thirty-nine indicators emerged across eight AFC domains plus four indicators related to long-term health and social outcomes. All meet the intended purpose of evaluating AFC initiatives at the community level. A user-friendly guide is available to support and share this work. Conclusion The AFC indicators can help communities evaluate age-friendly initiatives, which is the final step in completing a cycle of the Pan-Canadian AFC milestones. Communities are encouraged to use the evaluation results to improve their AFC initiatives, thereby benefiting a broad range of Canadians.

scholarly journals Larval Morphology and Molecular Identification of Ophthalmomyiasis Flies and its Incidence Rate in Referred Patients to an Ophthalmology Clinic, Shiraz, Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-61
Author(s):  
Ali Keshavarz ◽  
Hamzeh Alipour ◽  
Kourosh Azizi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Khalili ◽  
Marziea Shahriari Namadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Molecular Identification ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Larval Morphology ◽  
The Public ◽  
Diagnostic Key ◽  
One Year

Background: Myiasis is the infestation of flies' larvae in living or dead tissues of the human body and animals. Ophthalmomyiasis is divided into internal and external types and thelarvae penetrate eyes in the internal type. This study aimed to examine larval morphology and molecular identification of flies causing ophthalmomyiasis and determine its incidence rate in referred patients to an ophthalmology clinic in Shiraz during 2019. Materials and Methods: During one year, all larvae were isolated from patients’ eyes. These larvae were identified using the morphological method according to the 1965 diagnostic key of Zumpt. Molecular confirmation was performed using a pair of specific primers for the Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene in the next step. The expected amplicons were sequenced, and their results were aligned and analyzed using the nucleotide BLAST. Results: Overall, 224 fly larvae were isolated from 36 patients. According to the morphological analysis, all larvae were Oestrus ovis. Molecular analysis confirmed morphological results. Patients presenting acute conjunctivitis symptoms had a mean age of 34 ± 2 years, and there were four women (11%) and 32 men (89%). The highest incidence were recorded in the autumn season (55.8%). Morphological results of flies were confirmed by amplifying the expected size of the CO1 gene through conventional PCR. Conclusion: The cases of ophthalmomyiasis are higher than those mentioned in the published articles and this might be due to the absence of a regular monitoring program to care for the ophthalmomyiasis cases in the public health system. Therefore, due to the importance and potential incidence of this disease in Fars province, establishing a disease care program is necessary for the health surveillance system.

Developmental Disorders in Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Palmeter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
The Public ◽  
Age Of Diagnosis ◽  
High Level ◽  
Project Objectives ◽  
Disability Severity ◽  
Occupational Function ◽  
Improve Health

In the completion of my practicum at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) this summer, I worked to develop a surveillance knowledge product to support the national surveillance of developmental disorders. This project used Statistics Canada’s 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability to investigate the burden of developmental disorders in Canada. Developmental disorders are conditions with onset in the developmental period. They are associated with developmental deficits and impairments of personal, social, academic, and occupational function. The project objectives are to estimate the prevalence of developmental disorders in Canadians 15 years of age or older, overall and by age and sex, as well as report on the age of diagnosis, disability severity, and disability co-occurrence in those with developmental disorders. The majority of the analysis has been completed and preliminary results completed, which cannot be released prior to PHAC publication. Although not highly prevalent, developmental disorders are associated with a high level of disability in young Canadians. Early detection and interventions have been shown to improve health and social outcomes among affected individuals. Understanding the burden of developmental disorders in Canada is essential to the development of public health policies and services.

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