Involvement and readiness of fellows from Papua New Guinea’s Field Epidemiology Training Programme in the COVID-19 response, 2020–2021

@#Problem: Fellows of the Papua New Guinea Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) were part of the national coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response. However, the specific activities and challenges experienced by fellows in the field were unknown. Context: The advanced FETP cohort commenced just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and all fellows were involved in the response. The advanced fellows participating in this review represented a cross-section of the country’s public health workforce. Action: A review was conducted to better understand the scope of activities undertaken by FETP fellows, identify the challenges experienced and assess how well the programme prepared fellows for their COVID-19 response roles. A facilitated discussion based on the World Health Organization COVID-19 intra-action review methodology and an online survey was conducted with advanced FETP fellows. Outcome: The fellows made important contributions to the national COVID-19 response by assuming leadership positions at all levels of government, leading training activities and applying core field epidemiology competencies in surveillance and response activities. The programme had prepared them well for the response, giving them the confidence and skills to undertake a diverse range of response roles. Discussion: The FETP review of the COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea highlighted the role and influence of the fellows during the pandemic response. Fellows were able to apply core field epidemiology competencies across a range of roles. The recommendations derived from this review will be instructive for the FETP specifically and the COVID-19 response generally.

How can we better support the public health emergency response workforce during crises?

@#For public health response to be effective, it is essential that we identify support mechanisms for people working in challenging response environments. The Regional Office for the Western Pacific needs programmes, such as Field Epidemiology Training Programmes, to ensure sustained workforce development. However, during crises a modified mentorship-like program may foster temporary support and empowerment within the workforce.

Retrospective use of whole genome sequencing to better understand an outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Mbandaka in New South Wales, Australia

Introduction@#Salmonella enterica serovar Mbandaka is an infrequent cause of salmonellosis in New South Wales (NSW) with an average of 17 cases reported annually. This study examined the added value of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for investigating a non-point source outbreak of Salmonella ser. Mbandaka with limited geographical spread.@*Methods@#In February 2016, an increase in Salmonella ser. Mbandaka was noted in New South Wales, and an investigation was initiated. A WGS study was conducted three months after the initial investigation, analysing the outbreak Salmonella ser. Mbandaka isolates along with 17 human and non-human reference strains from 2010 to 2015.@*Results@#WGS analysis distinguished the original outbreak cases (n = 29) into two main clusters: Cluster A (n = 11) and Cluster B (n = 6); there were also 12 sporadic cases. Reanalysis of food consumption histories of cases by WGS cluster provided additional specificity when assessing associations. Discussion: WGS has been widely acknowledged as a promising high-resolution typing tool for enteric pathogens. This study was one of the first to apply WGS to a geographically limited cluster of salmonellosis in Australia. WGS clearly distinguished the outbreak cases into distinct clusters, demonstrating its potential value for use in real time to support non-point source foodborne disease outbreaks of limited geographical spread.

remarkable adaptability of syndromic surveillance to meet public health needs

The goal of syndromic surveillance is the earlier detection of epidemics, allowing a timelier public health response than is possible using traditional surveillance methods. Syndromic surveillance application for public health purposes has changed over time and reflects a dynamic evolution from the collection, interpretation of data with dissemination of data to those who need to act, to a more holistic approach that incorporates response as a core component of the surveillance system. Recent infectious disease threats, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS], avian influenza [H5N1] and pandemic influenza [H1N1], have all highlighted the need for countries to be rapidly aware of the spread of infectious diseases within a region and across the globe. The International Health Regulations [IHR] obligation to report public health emergencies of international concern has raised the importance of early outbreak detection and response. The emphasis in syndromic surveillance is changing from automated, early alert and detection, to situational awareness and response. Published literature on syndromic surveillance reflects the changing nature of public health threats and responses. Syndromic surveillance has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to rapidly shifting public health needs. This adaptability makes it a highly relevant public health tool

Invasive pneumococcal disease in New South Wales, Australia: reporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status improves epidemiology

The aim of this work was to determine the feasibility of improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status recording for notifiable diseases using all Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) notifications in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia. In Australia people with IPD are nearly always admitted to hospital and their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status is recorded. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status was determined for IPD notifications by referring to the routine hospital admission data in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia. There were 234 notifications in the regional area of Hunter New England during the period 2007–2009. Initially, 168 (72%) notifications had Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status recorded. After referring to the routine hospital admission data, the recorded status increased to 232 (99%). Updating the surveillance data required less than five minutes per notification. Referring to routine hospital admission data proved a useful and time-efficient surveillance strategy to increase the proportion of notifications with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status. These data can then be used to better understand the current epidemiology of IPD. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–4 years have a two- to threefold higher rate of invasive pneumococcal disease than non-Aboriginal children, thus high levels of timely pneumococcal immunization coverage remain important for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Meeting measles elimination indicators: surveillance performance in a regional area of Australia

The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region has established specific measles elimination surveillance indicators. There has been concern in Australia that these indicators may be too stringent and that measles elimination can occur without all surveillance prerequisites being met, in particular the minimum fever and rash clinician-suspected measles reporting rate with subsequent laboratory exclusion of measles. A regional public health unit in northern New South Wales, Australia, prompted local general practitioners to report fever and rash presentations that met the measles case definition or that they considered to be clinical measles. These notifications from July 2006 to June 2008 were reviewed to determine whether measles indicators for monitoring progress towards measles elimination could be achieved in Australia. Results confirmed that the surveillance indicators of “>2 reported suspected measles cases per 100 000 population,” “at least 80% of suspected cases adequately investigated within 48 hours” and “greater than 80% of cases had adequate blood samples collected” could be met. Only half the cases had virology that would allow genotyping of measles virus. Special efforts to engage and convince Australian medical doctors about the public health value of reporting clinically suggestive measles cases and collecting confirmatory blood tests resulted in the current WHO Western Pacific Region indicators for progress towards measles elimination being met in a regional area of Australia.