scholarly journals Re-verifying the elimination of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Canada, 2016–2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 476-478
Author(s):  
Myriam Saboui ◽  
Joanne Hiebert ◽  
Susan G Squires ◽  
Mireille Guay ◽  
Patricia Barcellos ◽  
...  

Elimination, in the context of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), refers to the absence of endemic measles/rubella virus transmission in a region or other defined geographic area for at least 12 months, in the presence of a high-quality surveillance system that meets targets of key performance indicators. In 1994, Canada and other countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) region of the Americas committed to the objectives of measles elimination by 2000 and rubella and CRS by 2010. Canada met these targets: eliminating measles transmission in 1998; rubella transmission in 2005; and endemically-acquired CRS in 2000. The WHO region of Americas was declared free of endemic rubella/CRS in 2015 and endemic measles in 2016. At the request of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Canada’s elimination status of measles, rubella and CRS was verified in 2012 and again in 2017. Prior to submission to PAHO, the verification reports were reviewed, approved and endorsed by Canada’s National Certification Committee (NCC). The NCC is a group of experts who are not directly involved with the management of vaccine preventable diseases or immunization program implementation at the national level, but who have the expertise to assist in ensuring that Canada is meeting PAHO’S goals of elimination and eradication. Members are responsible for reviewing Canada’s current mechanisms of surveillance and progress towards elimination of targeted vaccine preventable diseases in Canada. Members have expertise in the fields of public health, infectious diseases and/or laboratory sciences.

2019 ◽  
pp. 305-310
Author(s):  
Joanna Bogusz ◽  
Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz

INTRODUCTION. Rubella is the disease subject to the elimination programme coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Generally, rubella is an infection of mild course among children but in the case of pregnant women, who are not immunized, the probability of the occurrence of severe congenital abnormalities (congenital rubella syndrome) may amount to 95%. The strategy of the countries belonging to the WHO European Region is directed to the interruption of the rubella virus transmission in the environment in order to prevent the cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). OBJECTIVES. The aims of the present article are to analyze the epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland in 2017 and to discuss the rubella vaccination coverage. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland was analyzed on the basis of publications: “Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2017” and “Vaccinations in Poland in 2017”. RESULTS. In 2017, there was a decrease in the number of rubella cases - with registered 476 cases (in 2016 – 1 105 cases) - and a decline in incidence (from 2.9 per 100 000 to 1.2). The highest incidence rate, regardless of gender and the environment, was observed among children aged 0-4 years (11.8 per 100,000). In 2017, no cases of congenital rubella syndrome were registered. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. In 2017, there was a decrease in the number of rubella cases. In Poland Rubella is reported exclusively on the basis of the clinical picture. The proportion of laboratory tests confirming/excluding rubella infection is still very low in Poland.


2020 ◽  
pp. 391-397
Author(s):  
Joanna Bogusz ◽  
Ewa Augustynowicz ◽  
Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz

INTRODUCTION. Rubella is the disease subject to the elimination programme coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Generally, rubella is an infection of mild course among children but in the case of pregnant women, who are not immunized, the probability of the occurrence of severe congenital abnormalities (congenital rubella syndrome) may amount to 95%. The strategy of the countries belonging to the WHO European Region is directed to the interruption of the rubella virus transmission in the environment in order to prevent the cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). OBJECTIVES. The aims of the present article are to analyze the epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland in 2018 and to discuss the rubella vaccination coverage. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland was analyzed on the basis of publications: “Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2018” and “Vaccinations in Poland in 2018”. RESULTS. In 2018, there was a decrease in the number of rubella cases - with registered 437 cases (in 2017 – 476 cases) - and a decline in incidence (from 1.2 per 100 000 to 1.1). The highest incidence rate, regardless of gender and the environment, was observed among children aged 0-4 years (9.8 per 100,000). In 2018, no cases of congenital rubella syndrome were registered. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. In 2018, there was a decrease in the number of rubella cases. In Poland Rubella is reported exclusively on the basis of the clinical picture. The proportion of laboratory tests confirming/excluding rubella infection is still very low in Poland.


Author(s):  
Todisoa N. Andriatahina ◽  
Lantonirina Ravaoarisoa ◽  
Andrianina H. Ranivoson ◽  
Vonintsoa L. Rahajamanana ◽  
Zina A. Randriananahirana ◽  
...  

Background: Congenital rubella syndrome is the first congenital defect preventable by vaccination. The purpose of this study was to provide basic information on the extent and epidemiology of congenital rubella syndrome in Madagascar.Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study from January 2013 to May 2019 was conducted in 8 hospitals in 2 provinces of Madagascar, Antananarivo and Toliara. The study included children who attended the services selected during the study period and who had the following conditions: children aged of 0 to 59 months, regardless of vaccination status, meeting the World Health Organization clinical criteria for congenital rubella syndrome with or without biological confirmation.Results: Of the 152,304 cases of children of all ages who visited or were hospitalized during the study period, 112 clinically confirmed cases of congenital rubella syndrome were identified. The age group 0 to 11 months involved 60 children (53.6%). Congenital heart disease was found in 83.0% of cases, mental backwardness in 43.7% and microcephaly in 26.8%. Twenty-three among (20.5%) them died. The death was due to cardiac diseases in 16 children.Conclusions: Findings confirm that the diagnosis of congenital rubella syndrome is underestimated in current pediatric practice in Madagascar. The introduction of the rubella vaccine in the Expanded Program on Immunization and the implementation of an effective and sustainable surveillance system for congenital rubella syndrome in the country is a proved effective tool for the prevention of this disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoaneta Bukasa ◽  
Helen Campbell ◽  
Kevin Brown ◽  
Helen Bedford ◽  
Mary Ramsay ◽  
...  

Rubella vaccination has been included in the United Kingdom’s (UK) routine childhood schedule for nearly 30 years. The UK achieved World Health Organization (WHO) elimination status in 2016 and acute rubella infections are rare. In the period 2003–16, 31 rubella infections in pregnancy (0.23 per 100,000 pregnancies) were identified through routine surveillance, of which 26 were in women who were born abroad. Five of the 31 rubella infections led to congenital rubella syndrome in the infant and three had confirmed congenital rubella infection without congenital rubella syndrome. An additional seven babies were identified with congenital rubella syndrome, although rubella infection in pregnancy had not been reported. Place of birth was known for six of these seven mothers, all of whom were born outside the UK, and in five cases maternal infection was acquired abroad. WHO Europe has set targets for measles and rubella elimination and prevention of congenital rubella syndrome by 2015. Vaccination uptake and rubella immunity is high in the UK population and most infections in pregnancy since 2003 were acquired abroad and in unvaccinated women. Every contact with a health professional should be used to check that women are fully immunised according to UK schedule.


2011 ◽  
Vol 204 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S381-S388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. Zimmerman ◽  
Mark Muscat ◽  
Dragan Jankovic ◽  
Ajay Goel ◽  
Henrik Bang ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Baccolini ◽  
A Sindoni ◽  
G Adamo ◽  
A Rosso ◽  
A Massimi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccination against measles is strongly recommended in Europe, many studies showed their low vaccination coverage and a significant involvement in hospital and community outbreaks. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the available evidence on HCW role in measles outbreaks and identify the epidemiological characteristics of the transmission patterns related to HCW infection. Methods PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science were searched to detect the measles outbreaks occurred in Italy and involving at least one HCW. English or Italian records were considered eligible. The quality assessment was performed using the ORION checklist. We also analyzed national or regional measles reports and the Measles outbreaks reporting forms that are annually submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO) of the period 2014-2018. Results Twenty-one articles were identified in the literature search and were in general of good quality. Of these, six were regional or Italian reports, two referred to one city, 13 were single outbreak reports. The national data showed that the number of infected HCWs increases with the rise of the total number of cases. A total of 72 descriptions of measles outbreaks were retrieved from the WHO reports. The vast majority was confined to the hospital or started at the hospital and spread in the community. The index cases were mainly patients seeking care for measles-related symptoms but, in the last years, a growing number of infected HCWs was identified as infection source. Similarly, the number of outbreaks with more than one infected HCW recorded a small increase over time. Conclusions HCWs play a critical role in measles transmission especially in hospital outbreaks, which are significantly costly and disruptive for the healthcare delivery quality and safety. Vaccination policy aiming at increasing their immunization rate is crucial to limit the virus spread and the economic impact on the institutions. Key messages In spite of the remarkable progress, measles elimination in Italy is far from being met and the virus transmission in healthcare settings is increasingly notified. Vaccination policies aiming at increasing HCW immunization coverages are essential.


2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (17) ◽  
pp. 649-654
Author(s):  
Piroska Orosi ◽  
Judit Szidor ◽  
Tünde Tóthné Tóth ◽  
József Kónya

The swine-origin new influenza variant A(H1N1) emerged in 2009 and changed the epidemiology of the 2009/2010 influenza season globally and at national level. Aims: The aim of the authors was to analyse the cases of two influenza seasons. Methods: The Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University has 1690 beds with 85 000 patients admitted per year. The diagnosis of influenza was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction in the microbiological laboratories of the University and the National Epidemiological Centre, according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Results: The incidence of influenza was not higher than that observed in the previous season, but two high-risk patient groups were identified: pregnant women and patients with immunodeficiency (oncohematological and organ transplant patients). The influenza vaccine, which is free for high-risk groups and health care workers in Hungary, appeared to be effective for prevention, because in the 2010/2011 influenza season none of the 58 patients who were administered the vaccination developed influenza. Conclusion: It is an important task to protect oncohematological and organ transplant patients. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 649–654.


2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110260
Author(s):  
Mairead Connolly ◽  
Laura Phung ◽  
Elise Farrington ◽  
Michelle J. L. Scoullar ◽  
Alyce N. Wilson ◽  
...  

Preterm birth and stillbirth are important global perinatal health indicators. Definitions of these indicators can differ between countries, affecting comparability of preterm birth and stillbirth rates across countries. This study aimed to document national-level adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of preterm birth and stillbirth in the WHO Western Pacific region. A systematic search of government health websites and 4 electronic databases was conducted. Any official report or published study describing the national definition of preterm birth or stillbirth published between 2000 and 2020 was eligible for inclusion. A total of 58 data sources from 21 countries were identified. There was considerable variation in how preterm birth and stillbirth was defined across the region. The most frequently used lower gestational age threshold for viability of preterm birth was 28 weeks gestation (range 20-28 weeks), and stillbirth was most frequently classified from 20 weeks gestation (range 12-28 weeks). High-income countries more frequently used earlier gestational ages for preterm birth and stillbirth compared with low- to middle-income countries. The findings highlight the importance of clear, standardized, internationally comparable definitions for perinatal indicators. Further research is needed to determine the impact on regional preterm birth and stillbirth rates.


Author(s):  
Alicia M. Alonso-Martínez ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Yesenia García-Alonso ◽  
Mikel Izquierdo ◽  
Antonio García-Hermoso

Background: A better understanding of the effects of the lockdown on lifestyle behaviors may help to guide the public health response to COVID-19 at a national level and to update the global strategy to respond COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on device-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, sleep and self-regulation; and to determine whether PA and sleep are related to self-regulation problems during the lockdown. Methods: PA, sedentary time and sleep were assessed using accelerometry in the week in which the Spanish national state of alarm was declared (n = 21). Parents reported preschooler’s self-regulation difficulties (internalizing and externalizing) before (n = 268) and during the lockdown (n = 157) by a validated questionnaire. Results: Preschoolers showed a decrease in total PA (mean difference [MD] = −43.3 min per day, 95% CI −68.1 to −18.5), sleep efficiency (MD = −2.09%, 95% CI −4.12 to −0.05), an increase in sedentary time (MD = 50.2 min per day, 95% CI 17.1 to 83.3) internalizing (MD = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.28) and externalizing (MD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44) problems. Preschoolers who met the World Health Organization recommendations for PA had lower internalizing scores than non-active peers (MD = −1.28, 95% CI −2.53 to −0.03). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of meeting PA recommendations to reduce psychosocial difficulties during a lockdown situation.


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