Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from Humans to Pets, Washington and Idaho, USA.

SARS-CoV-2 likely emerged from an animal reservoir. However, the frequency of and risk factors for interspecies transmission remain unclear. We conducted a community-based study in Idaho, USA, of pets in households that had >1 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans. Among 119 dogs and 57 cats, clinical signs consistent with SARS-CoV-2 were reported for 20 dogs (21%) and 19 cats (39%). Of 81 dogs and 32 cats sampled, 40% of dogs and 43% of cats were seropositive, and 5% of dogs and 8% of cats were PCR positive. This discordance might be caused by delays in sampling. Respondents commonly reported close human‒animal contact and willingness to take measures to prevent transmission to their pets. Reported preventive measures showed a slightly protective but nonsignificant trend for both illness and seropositivity in pets. Sharing of beds and bowls had slight harmful effects, reaching statistical significance for sharing bowls and seropositivity.

Durability of antibodies post vaccination with two doses of inactivated BBIBP-CorV vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Breakthrough infections post-COVID-19 vaccination occur with the emerging variants of the SARS-CoV virus which might be either due to the newer variants escaping immune response or the waning of antibodies over time. However, there is lack of long-term follow-up evidence on the waning of immune response following inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on serum samples of individuals who had received two doses of BBIBP-CorV vaccine. Individual's antibody responses were evaluated based on IgG anti-S and neutralizing antibodies measurements. Antibody samples were categorized into four groups, defined by the time interval from the individual's receipt of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine: <30 days, 30-90 days, 91-180 days and >180 days. RESULTS: A total of 6668 serum samples from inactivated BBIBP-CorV vaccine recipients were analyzed for IgG anti-S and neutralizing antibodies. 571 (8.6%) samples were tested during the first 29 days interval post vaccination, 3642 (54.6%) were tested during 30-90 days interval, 2173 (32.6%) samples were tested during 91 to 180 days interval and 282(4.2%) were tested at >180 days interval post vaccination. We found that more than 50% of the individuals had antibody titers below the average cut-off range at the 91-180 days interval post vaccination. Older age (>60 years), male gender, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, immunodeficiencies and increased interval post vaccination emerged as independent risk factors associated with lower immune response. CONCLUSION: Inactivated BBIBP-CorV vaccine recipients, based on age, gender and associated comorbid conditions might need booster doses at an earlier interval than the currently followed six months interval.

Implementation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program in FCS Extension During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Participant Experiences, Lessons Learned

This study explores the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on (a) National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) delivery by Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension agents and (b) participant perceptions of the NDPP and its impact on health. Semi-structured interviews with 12 FCS agents and 12 focus groups (n = 57) were thematically analyzed. Agents reported both positive and negative effects of transitioning to virtual delivery of the NDPP during COVID-19, including reduced session preparation time, improved communication, and data collection challenges. Although participants preferred in-person delivery, the virtual NDPP provided social support for physical and mental health during the pandemic.

Self-monitoring of blood pressure in pregnancy: A mixed methods evaluation of a national roll-out in the context of a pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how English maternity units implemented self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) in pregnancy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Mixed methods including surveys, anonymised patient data and in-depth interviews with women. SETTING: Maternity units across England. PARTICIPANTS: 45 maternity units completed a survey about the implementation of SMBP (supported by the provision of guidance and blood pressure monitors) during the pandemic, 166 women completed a survey about their experiences of SMBP, and 23 women took part in in-depth interviews. Clinical data from 627 women undertaking SMBP were available from 13 maternity units. RESULTS: SMBP was predominantly used to provide additional BP monitoring for hypertensive or high-risk pregnant women. Overall maternity units and women were positive about its use in terms of reducing the need for additional face-to-face contacts and giving women more control and insight into their own BP. However, there were challenges in setting up SMBP services rapidly and embedding them within existing care pathways, particularly around interpreting readings and managing the provision of monitors. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of maternity units in England commenced a SMBP service for hypertensive or high-risk women from March 2020. There is a need for further research into appropriate care pathways, including guidance around white coat or masked hypertension and the use of SMBP postnatally.

Exploring the development and maintenance of therapeutic relationships through e-Health support: A narrative analysis of therapist experiences.

Objective: Amid COVID-19 disruptions, e-therapy has become even more essential and has rapidly expanded across statutory, private and third sectors to meet growing demands for digital mental health support. A challenge in digital therapeutic care is how to develop and maintain a supportive, collaborative therapeutic relationship, built upon mutual trust and respect; intrinsic values of relationships that are often implied through complex non-verbal cues. Online practitioners are eager to learn how to adapt to online delivery, although platform-specific training is limited. The aim of the current study was to focus upon the therapist experience of online therapeutic relationships with young people, exploring a range of factors through their perspectives, including the impact of anonymity. Methods: Eight e-therapy practitioners were recruited from Kooth, an online mental health service. Narrative interviews undertaken via Skype facilitated reflective conversational one-to-one discussions, based upon the practitioners' individual experiences, led by the interviewee. Following transcription and anonymisation, a narrative analysis was undertaken to explore participants' experiences, perspectives and reflections. Results: Four analytic layers arose from the narratives, which explored the challenging learning experience of translating existing therapeutic skills to online working, rapidly building therapeutic relationships, managing risk in the online therapeutic relationship, and techniques for maintaining a digital therapeutic relationship. Conclusion: The study provides novel insights into the flexibility and adjustments therapists can make to improve online interventions and delivery through the development and maintenance of positive therapeutic relationships. Recommendations are also made in relation to platform-specific training, communicative adaptations, risk management and practitioner support.

O8 Translation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program into Cooperative Extension: Barriers and Facilitators

Translation of the Center for Disease Control's National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) from clinics to communities can reduce diabetes burden in the U.S. if more organizations adopt and maintain the intervention. Cooperative Extension offers a potentially powerful context for DPP implementation, with a capacity to reach large and diverse populations. There is a critical need to understand the impact of the DPP when implemented with fidelity in Extension, as well as implementation barriers and facilitators. The objective of the present study was to evaluate barriers and facilitators of DPP implementation in Extension in Georgia. The present study was part of a 12-month, multi-site, hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial. The implementation evaluation utilized 3 qualitative semi-structured interviews (post-recruitment and mid- and post-implementation) with 12 Extension professionals implementing the DPP in 13 counties across all regions of Georgia. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to identify barriers and facilitators of DPP implementation in Extension. Interviews were coded deductively by 2 independent analysts based on CFIR constructs. Constructs were then rated (-2 to +2) to indicate their influence on implementation. Constructs with a strong influence on implementation were then evaluated for their influence on RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework domains. Preliminary analyses suggest that program length (Time [-2]) and the Intervention's Source (+2) from CDC had strong influences on Reach of the program;the DPP's Evidence Strength and Quality (+2) and the Tension for Change (+2) for more evidence-based Extension programming had strong positive influences on Adoption;and Networks and Communications (+2) had a strong positive influence on Implementation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Extension's infrastructure, culture, and need for evidence-based programming make it well-suited for DPP implementation. Results of this study can inform implementation strategies to improve the public health impact of DPP implementation in Extension in the future. University of Georgia Interdisciplinary Seed Grant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

N95 respirator reuse, decontamination methods, and microbial burden: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and ease of N95 respirator decontamination methods in a clinic setting and to identify the extent of microbial colonization on respirators associated with reuse. METHODS: In a prospective fashion, N95 respirators (n = 15) were randomized to a decontamination process (time, dry heat, or ultraviolet C light [UVC]) in outpatient clinics. Each respirator was re-used up to 5 separate clinic sessions. Swabs on each respirator for SARS-CoV-2, bacteria, and fungi were obtained before clinic, after clinic and post-treatment. Mask integrity was checked after each treatment (n = 68). Statistical analyses were performed to determine factors for positive samples. RESULTS: All three decontamination processes reduced bacteria counts similarly. On multivariate mixed model analysis, there were an additional 8.1 colonies of bacteria (95% CI 5.7 to 10.5; p < 0.01) on the inside compared to the outside surface of the respirators. Treatment resulted in a decrease of bacterial load by 8.6 colonies (95% CI -11.6 to -5.5; p < 0.01). Although no decontamination treatment affected the respirator filtration efficiency, heat treatments were associated with the breakdown of thermoplastic elastomer straps. Contamination with fungal and SARS-CoV-2 viral particles were minimal to non-existent. CONCLUSIONS: Time, heat and UVC all reduced bacterial load on reused N95 respirators. Fungal contamination was minimal. Heat could permanently damage some elastic straps making the respirators nonfunctional. Given its effectiveness against microbes, lack of damage to re-treated respirators and logistical ease, UVC represents an optimal decontamination method for individual N95 respirators when reuse is necessary.