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Bijkerk P, Monnier AA, Fanoy EB, Kardamanidis K, Friesema IH, Knol MJ. ECDC Round Table Report and ProMed-mail most useful international information sources for the Netherlands Early Warning Committee. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 22:30502. [PMID: 28422006 PMCID: PMC5388122 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2017.22.14.30502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The Netherlands Early Warning Committee (NEWC) aims to identify infectious diseases causing a potential threat to Dutch public health. Threats are assessed and published as (information) alerts for public health experts. To identify threats from abroad, the NEWC screens 10 sources reporting disease outbreaks each week. To identify the sources essential for complete and timely reporting, we retrospectively analysed 178 international alerts published between 31 January 2013 and 30 January 2014. In addition, we asked the four NEWC coordinators about the required time to scan the information sources. We documented the date and source in which the signal was detected. The ECDC Round Table (RT) Report and ProMED-mail were the most complete and timely sources, reporting 140 of 178 (79%) and 121 of 178 (68%) threats respectively. The combination of both sources reported 169 (95%) of all threats in a timely manner. Adding any of the other sources resulted in minor increases in the total threats found, but considerable additional time investment per additional threat. Only three potential relevant threats (2%) would have been missed by only using the ECDC RT Report and ProMed-mail. We concluded that using only the ECDC RT Report and ProMed-mail to identify threats from abroad maintains a sensitive Early Warning System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Bijkerk
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Annelie A Monnier
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ewout B Fanoy
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Public Health Service, GGD Region Utrecht, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Katina Kardamanidis
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Hm Friesema
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam J Knol
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Schlagenhauf-Lawlor P, Poumerol G, Santos-O'Connor F. Microbes on the move: prevention, required vaccinations, curtailment, outbreak. Infect Dis (Lond) 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119085751.ch5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Schlagenhauf-Lawlor
- University of Zürich; WHO Collaborating Centre for Travellers’ Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute; Zürich Switzerland
| | - Giles Poumerol
- World Health Organization; International Health Regulations Department; Geneva Switzerland
| | - Francisco Santos-O'Connor
- Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch; International Labour Office; Geneva Switzerland
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Abat C, Chaudet H, Rolain JM, Colson P, Raoult D. Traditional and syndromic surveillance of infectious diseases and pathogens. Int J Infect Dis 2016; 48:22-8. [PMID: 27143522 PMCID: PMC7110877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious diseases remain a major public health problem worldwide. Hence, their surveillance is critical. Currently, many surveillance strategies and systems are in use around the world. An inventory of the data, surveillance strategies, and surveillance systems developed worldwide for the surveillance of infectious diseases is presented herein, with emphasis on the role of the microbiology laboratory in surveillance. METHODS The data, strategies, and systems used around the world for the surveillance of infectious diseases and pathogens, along with current issues and trends, were reviewed. RESULTS Twelve major classes of data were identified on the basis of their timing relative to infection, resources available, and type of surveillance. Two primary strategies were compared: disease-specific surveillance and syndromic surveillance. Finally, 262 systems implemented worldwide for the surveillance of infections were registered and briefly described, with a focus on those based on microbiological data from laboratories. CONCLUSIONS There is currently a wealth of available data on infections, which has been growing with the recent emergence of new technologies. Concurrently with the expansion of computer resources and networks, these data will allow the optimization of real-time detection and notification of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Abat
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE UM 63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1905, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France
| | - Hervé Chaudet
- Aix Marseille Université, SESSTIM UMR 912 INSERM, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Marc Rolain
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE UM 63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1905, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE UM 63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1905, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE UM 63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1905, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France.
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Rovira C, Buffel du Vaure C, Partouche H. Are French general practitioners consulted before travel to developing countries? A cross-sectional study conducted in a French airport. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 2015; 63:253-8. [PMID: 26139617 DOI: 10.1016/j.respe.2015.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND General practitioners (GPs) could play a central role in preventing travel-related health issues. The aim of this study was to assess, in travellers departing to developing countries from a French airport, the proportion of individuals having sought GP counseling before departure and to identify determinants for having consulted a GP. METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted between November 2012 and July 2013, in all adults living in France. Sociodemographic, health characteristics, type of travel and resources consulted before departure were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed. Determinants for having consulted a GP before departure were investigated using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Of the 360 travellers included, 230 (64%) sought health counseling before departure. GPs were the main source of information for 134 (58%) travellers having sought health information and the only one for 49 (21%). Almost half of the travellers (48%) departing to sub-Saharan countries did not seek health counseling from a medical doctor (GP, non-GP specialist, specialist consulted in an international vaccination center or occupational physician). Individuals significantly more likely to travel without having consulted a GP were young and male, held foreign nationality, had travelled more than five times before, rarely consulted their GP and were travelling to a non-malarious area. CONCLUSION GPs were the main but not the only source of information and counseling before traveling to a developing country. This study helps identify the characteristics of individuals likely to travel without having consulted a GP before departure.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rovira
- Département de médecine générale, faculté de médecine, université Paris-Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
| | - C Buffel du Vaure
- Département de médecine générale, faculté de médecine, université Paris-Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - H Partouche
- Département de médecine générale, faculté de médecine, université Paris-Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Al-Tawfiq JA, Zumla A, Gautret P, Gray GC, Hui DS, Al-Rabeeah AA, Memish ZA. Surveillance for emerging respiratory viruses. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2014; 14:992-1000. [PMID: 25189347 PMCID: PMC7106459 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(14)70840-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Several new viral respiratory tract infectious diseases with epidemic potential that threaten global health security have emerged in the past 15 years. In 2003, WHO issued a worldwide alert for an unknown emerging illness, later named severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV) rapidly spread worldwide, causing more than 8000 cases and 800 deaths in more than 30 countries with a substantial economic impact. Since then, we have witnessed the emergence of several other viral respiratory pathogens including influenza viruses (avian influenza H5N1, H7N9, and H10N8; variant influenza A H3N2 virus), human adenovirus-14, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). In response, various surveillance systems have been developed to monitor the emergence of respiratory-tract infections. These include systems based on identification of syndromes, web-based systems, systems that gather health data from health facilities (such as emergency departments and family doctors), and systems that rely on self-reporting by patients. More effective national, regional, and international surveillance systems are required to enable rapid identification of emerging respiratory epidemics, diseases with epidemic potential, their specific microbial cause, origin, mode of acquisition, and transmission dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq
- Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK; Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Philippe Gautret
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, CHU Nord, Pôle Infectieux, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection & Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), Marseille, France
| | - Gregory C Gray
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida
| | - David S Hui
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Stanley Ho Center for emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Abdullah A Al-Rabeeah
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ziad A Memish
- Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Barboza P, Vaillant L, Mawudeku A, Nelson NP, Hartley DM, Madoff LC, Linge JP, Collier N, Brownstein JS, Yangarber R, Astagneau P. Evaluation of epidemic intelligence systems integrated in the early alerting and reporting project for the detection of A/H5N1 influenza events. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57252. [PMID: 23472077 PMCID: PMC3589479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of Web-based expert epidemic intelligence systems is to detect health threats. The Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) Early Alerting and Reporting (EAR) project was launched to assess the feasibility and opportunity for pooling epidemic intelligence data from seven expert systems. EAR participants completed a qualitative survey to document epidemic intelligence strategies and to assess perceptions regarding the systems performance. Timeliness and sensitivity were rated highly illustrating the value of the systems for epidemic intelligence. Weaknesses identified included representativeness, completeness and flexibility. These findings were corroborated by the quantitative analysis performed on signals potentially related to influenza A/H5N1 events occurring in March 2010. For the six systems for which this information was available, the detection rate ranged from 31% to 38%, and increased to 72% when considering the virtual combined system. The effective positive predictive values ranged from 3% to 24% and F1-scores ranged from 6% to 27%. System sensitivity ranged from 38% to 72%. An average difference of 23% was observed between the sensitivities calculated for human cases and epizootics, underlining the difficulties in developing an efficient algorithm for a single pathology. However, the sensitivity increased to 93% when the virtual combined system was considered, clearly illustrating complementarities between individual systems. The average delay between the detection of A/H5N1 events by the systems and their official reporting by WHO or OIE was 10.2 days (95% CI: 6.7-13.8). This work illustrates the diversity in implemented epidemic intelligence activities, differences in system's designs, and the potential added values and opportunities for synergy between systems, between users and between systems and users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Barboza
- International Department, French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (Institut de Veille Sanitaire), Saint Maurice, France.
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[Public health surveillance and assessment of emerging infectious threats: method and criteria for risk analysis]. Med Mal Infect 2011; 41:53-62. [PMID: 21251782 DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2010.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2010] [Revised: 10/26/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
One of the objectives of the surveillance systems implemented by the French National Institute for Public Health Surveillance is to detect communicable diseases and to reduce their impact. For emerging infections, the detection and risk analysis pose specific challenges due to lack of documented criteria for the event. The surveillance systems detect a variety of events, or "signals" which represent a potential risk, such as a novel germ, a pathogen which may disseminate in a non-endemic area, or an abnormal number of cases for a well-known disease. These signals are first verified and analyzed, then classified as: potential public health threat, event to follow-up, or absence of threat. Through various examples, we illustrate the method and criteria which are used to analyze and classify these events considered to be emerging. The examples highlight the importance of host characteristics and exposure in groups at particular risk, such as professionals in veterinarian services, health care workers, travelers, immunodepressed patients, etc. The described method should allow us to identify future needs in terms of surveillance and to improve timeliness, quality of expertise, and feedback information regarding the public health risk posed by events which are insufficiently documented.
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Schlagenhauf P, Santos-O'Connor F, Parola P. The practice of travel medicine in Europe. Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16:203-8. [PMID: 20222895 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.03133.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Europe, because of its geographical location, strategic position on trade routes, and colonial past, has a long history of caring for travellers' health. Within Europe, there is great diversity in the practice of travel medicine. Some countries have travel medicine societies and provisions for a periodic distribution of recommendations, but many countries have no national pre-travel guidelines and follow international recommendations such as those provided by the WHO. Providers of travel medicine include tropical medicine specialists, general practice nurses and physicians, specialist 'travel clinics', occupational physicians, and pharmacists. One of the core functions of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control-funded network of travel and tropical medicine professionals, EuroTravNet, is to document the status quo of travel medicine in Europe. A three-pronged approach is used, with a real-time online questionnaire, a structured interview with experts in each country, and web searching.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Schlagenhauf
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Travel Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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