ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the pathogen composition and distribution characteristics of pathogens in respiratory samples from patients with fever of unknown origin. Methods: A total of 96 respiratory samples of patients with unknown cause fever with respiratory symptoms were collected from four hospitals above grade II in Shijiazhuang area (Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luancheng District People's Hospital, Luquan District People's Hospital, Shenze County Hospital) from January to April 2020, and multiplex-fluorescent polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect influenza A virus, influenza B virus, enterovirus, parainfluenza virus I/II/III/IV, respiratory adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human rhinovirus, human bocavirus, COVID-19, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Group A streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus nucleic acid detection, the results were analyzed for chi-square. Results: A total of 8 pathogens were detected in the upper respiratory tract samples of 96 fever patients, including 1 kind of virus, 6 kinds of bacterias, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. There were 12 viruses including influenza virus and parainfluenza virus, Legionella pneumophila and Chlamydia pneumoniae were not detected. The pathogen detection rates in descending order were Streptococcus pneumoniae (58/96, 60.42%), Haemophilus influenzae(38/96, 39.58%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14/96, 14.58%), Staphylococcus aureus (10/96, 10.42%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (8/96, 8.33%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6/96, 6.25%), Group A streptococcus (4/96, 4.17%) and human rhinovirus (2/96, 2.08%). The proportions of single-pathogen infection and multi-pathogen mixed infection in fever clinic patients were similar, 41.67% (40/96) and 45.83% (44/96), respectively, and 12.50% (12/96)of the cases had no pathogens detected. The infection rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in female patients with fever (21.43%) was higher than that in male patients with fever (2.94%) (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the distribution of of other pathogens and gender and age(P > 0.05). Conclusions: The upper respiratory tract pathogens were mainly bacterial infections, and occasional human rhinovirus and Mycoplasma pneumonia infections. In clinical diagnosis and treatment, comprehensive consideration should be given to the pathogen detection.
ABSTRACT
Since the emergence of the Coronavirus disease outbreak, the world has witnessed great changes that have impacted humanity. A study of the pattern of the pandemic would be of great importance to understand the trending behavior for the spreading of the disease within any country. Visualization of the outbreak progression - through accumulated records in the datasets - using statistical tools showed that the initial fast increase rate of the affected cases in the original province in China was followed by a stability period till the end of the reporting date. Hong Kong - which was next to Hubei province in the cases - showed a different surge of slow growth curve with distinct major wave levels. The remaining territories showed a much smaller magnitude of morbidities. However, investigating the similarity levels for the daily kinetics of cases showed a clustering tendency between different political regions suggesting a significant correlation. The technique would be useful for public health authorities work.
ABSTRACT
The international multicentre study HBSC (Health Behaviour in Schoolaged Children) conducted since 1983 in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has been adopted in our country as the national adolescent health surveillance system since 2017. The main aim is to describe and understand health-related behaviour in 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds in approximately 50 countries between Europe and North America. The study investigated different aspects, such as nutrition, risk behaviors, school and family life and social media use. In addition, the latest survey involved 17-year-old adolescents and included a section on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An ectoparasitic disease, scabies, caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. Some of the predisposing factors are overcrowding, unhygienic surroundings, immunocompromised status, dementia, homelessness, and sexual contact. In this study, we wanted to evaluate the changed distribution of lesions of scabies during pandemic. METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed on 600 patients attending the skin department of our tertiary care hospital over a period of 6 months. The sites of the scabies lesions were noted along with types of lesions. Demographic data and history of regular hand washing and sanitization were also documented. RESULTS: Our study revealed an important correlation between change in pattern of distribution of scabies lesions from being less frequent on finger webs (19%) to being more frequent on abdomen (periumbilical area) (73%) and groins (67%) due to regular hand washing and frequent sanitization, in this pandemic era. CONCLUSIONS: A significant change in distribution of skin lesions in scabies can be noticed during this COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
This special issue contains 11 articles that discuss substantive empirical analyses, theoretical works, applied research and contributions to methodology, focusing on demographic issues alongside COVID-19 risks, responses and impacts.
ABSTRACT
Dairy production systems in Ecuador have been studied in the last 10 years. During the Covid-2019 pandemic, the entire human society was harmed and agricultural activities affected by the disease and by the restrictions implemented to prevent its spread. The dairy industry did not escape this global situation and was affected in various countries. Reports from Ecuador and Asian countries indicate the unfavorable effect that this global health emergency situation had on dairy production. However, according to a report by the Argentine Dairy Chain Observatory1, world milk production had a constant growth of around 3%. It is considered that the activities carried out by veterinarians, milking and animal handling operators, inseminators and by the personnel dedicated to the management of paddocks were affected by Covid-19. Likewise, the supply of medicines, agricultural inputs and technology had a critical situation due to the pandemic. In addition, the response times were not always adequate, especially due to the absenteeism of livestock personnel, human mortality and effects on the health and well-being of people . Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the effects the pandemic could have on the country's cattle farms. The objective of this work was to evaluate whether the pandemic period affected milk production per hectare per year in Ecuadorian herds.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo assess the effects of countermeasures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Shanghai from March to May 2022 in comparison with epidemiological trend of COVID-19 in New York City. MethodsDaily confirmed cases, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers, and daily deaths were obtained in the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States. Descriptive study was conducted by using these data. ResultsFrom March 1 to May 17, the number of daily asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in Shanghai was up to 58 times as large as that of daily confirmed cases;however, the number of daily confirmed cases in Shanghai was generally less than that in New York in the same time period. At the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic, the growth of daily attack rate in Shanghai was significantly lower than that in New York (P < 0.05). Moreover, the number of daily death was evidently less than that in New York. In addition, the vaccination rate in the elderly (aged 60 years) in Shanghai was evidently lower than that in New York (aged 65 years). ConclusionThe COVID-19 epidemics in Shanghai from March to May 2022 and in New York after December 2021 were both caused by the Omicron variant. Compared with the Delta variant, the Omicron variant has stronger replication ability and infectivity, resulting in challenges to the containment of the epidemic in metropolis such as Shanghai and New York City. The epidemic in New York City remained crucial due to absence of effective countermeasures, while that in Shanghai has been effectively contained with strict countermeasures. The prevention and control strategies may be adjusted along with the continual evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and increasing trend of imported COVID-19 cases.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo analyze the influenza surveillance data in Ezhou City, Hubei Province from 2016 to 2021, determine the epidemiological characteristics and etiological trend of influenza like illness (ILI), and to provide scientific evidence for influenza prevention and control. MethodsThe ILI surveillance data were reported by Ezhou influenza sentinel hospitals and etiological examination results were collected by network laboratory. Influenza surveillance data from 2016 to 2021 were analyzed. ResultsFrom 2016 to 2021, the percentage of ILI visits (ILI%) in Ezhou city was 2.81% and increased over years. Majority (55.55%) of ILI cases were 0-4 years. A total of 7 716 ILI samples were examined from 2016 to 2021, of which 1 467 tested positive with a positive rate of 19.01%. Influenza A H1N1 was mainly concentrated in January-April, A H3N2 mainly in August-December, B Victoria mainly in April-July and December-March, and B Yamagata mainly in December-February. Influenza network laboratory isolated influenza virus from the 1 467 positive samples by using MDCK cells and SPF chicken embryos. The overall isolation rate was 32.78%, which was 26.93% by MDCK cells and 5.86% by SPF chicken embryos. From 2016 to 2021, a total of 13 ILI outbreaks were reported in Ezhou City. Temporally, the outbreaks mainly occurred in winter and spring. Spatially, they were mainly in primary schools, middle schools and kindergartens. ConclusionThe winter and spring are the key time period of influenza prevention and control in Ezhou City, as they are susceptible to influenza outbreaks. Children aged 0-14 are the key population of prevention and control. Diverse subtypes of influenza virus alternate by years, which warrants continually strengthening monitoring. Additionally, certain countermeasures against COVID-19 may be recommended in the prevention and control of influenza.
ABSTRACT
Against the background of the global spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the prevention of infections with airborne mechanisms of transmission has become a priority in the Armed Forces. The development of effective COVID-19 prevention measures requires consideration of the peculiarities of military service and everyday life due to the inability of organized military collectives to comply with the requirements of the lockdown regime introduced at the peak of morbidity by the civilian health system. The patterns of incidence of COVID-19 in military personnel of the Western Military District in organized military collectives were studied in relation to the conditions of training and combat activities and the characteristics of military service. It was found that the dynamics of the incidence of COVID-19 among military personnel of the Western Military District in 2020-2021 exhibited a wave-like character and included four epidemic rises that coincided with epidemic waves among the civilian population. At the same time, from April to December 2020, the morbidity rate in military personnel was significantly higher than that in the general population, and from January to December 2021 against the background of mass vaccination of military personnel against COVID-19, the incidence rate in military personnel decreased by 50% relative to that in the general population. The effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures has increased significantly in recent months. The average number of patients in the epidemic outbreak decreased by 46.3%, the average duration of the outbreak decreased by 12.4%, and the proportion of group morbidity in the structure of the overall incidence of COVID-19 decreased by 19.8%. It is shown that the incidence of COVID-19 in various types of military collectives depends on the conditions of military service and the specifics of daily activities. The highest epidemiological significance of COVID-19 was detected in military units of constant readiness, as well as in medical and military educational organizations.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To find out the existing problems and provide reference for further improving the quality of report information by analyzing the report cards of COVID-19 and the positive report cards of primary screening reported in Ningxia. Methods All COVID-19 case cards from 2020 to 2021 and initial screening positive cards were derived from the Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention according to final review date. The timeliness of case reporting, timeliness of case review, completeness and accuracy of the case cards were analyzed. Results In Ningxia, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on January 20, 2020, and as of December 31, 2021, 122 confirmed cases and 4 symptomatic infected cases were reported. In 2021, the timely reporting rate of COVID-19 was 98.00%, which increased by 8.24% compared with 2020 (90.54%). Compared with 2020, the average time limit for diagnosis to reporting of COVID-19 in 2021 was shortened by 83.12%;in 2021, the timely review rate of COVID-19 was 100.00%, which increased by 13.84% compared with 2020 (87.84%). Compared with 2020, the time from reporting to final review was shortened by 98.91%. In 2021, the timely rate of positive reports in COVID-19 in Ningxia was 90.00%, among which the timely rate of reports by county (district) nucleic acid detection institutions was the highest (92.31%), followed by municipal (91.67%) and autonomous region (81.82%). Conclusions At the beginning of the epidemic in 2020, the timeliness of COVID-19 in Ningxia was poor, and through the implementation of measures such as technical training, supervision and inspection to continuously optimize the staffing of medical institutions and disease control institutions, the timeliness of reporting COVID-19 in Ningxia in 2021 was substantially improved, but there were still some weak links. In the future work, technical guidance and training should be carried out for weak links, and efforts should be made to improve the quality of reports.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To summarize and analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 Omicron variant cases in makeshift hospital, and the influence of age, sex and vaccination status on the disease duration, so as to provide reference for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases admitted to makeshift hospital of National Convention and Exhibition Center (Shanghai) from April 9 to May 31, 2022 were retrospectively described and analyzed, and further cohort analysis was conducted to determine the influence of age, sex and vaccination status on the disease duration of COVID-19 cases in the author's branch hospital. Results: Among the 174 466 COVID-19 cases in makeshift hospital, most of them were male, accounting for 59.38%. The infected cases were mainly young and middle-aged people aged 18-59 years old, accounting for 83.50%, followed by 12.30% of the elderly group over 60 years old;the average hospital stay was 7.40 days;the proportion of patients with fever was less than 27.79%;15.37% (26 817/174 466) of the patients complicated with underlying diseases, and the top three were hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease. The proportion of people who received COVID-19 vaccine accounted for 79.56% (13 799/17 956), of which the highest proportion of three doses was 44.09%. The disease duration of 17 956 COVID-19 cases in the author's branch of makeshift hospital was 10.18 (7.34, 13.05) days. The disease duration in the elderly group was the longest with 11.34 (8.35, 14.37) days, followed by 11.17 (9.07, 14.33) days in the preschool group, 10.37 (8.14, 13.34) days in the middle-aged group, 10.07 (7.37, 12.37) days in the school-age group, and 9.34 (7.05, 12.16) days in the young group. There was significant difference in the overall distribution of disease duration among the five groups (H=550.479 P < 0.01). The disease duration in each age group basically showed a V-shaped distribution. The disease duration was 10.27 (7.34, 12.57) days in males and 10.10 (7.25, 13.09) days in females, and there was no significant difference (Z=-1.505 P > 0.05). The disease duration of vaccinated patients was 10.24 (7.35, 13.05) days, and that of unvaccinated patients was 9.47 (7.09, 12.47) days. There was significant difference between the two groups (Z=-4.338 P < 0.01). Conclusions: COVID-19 Omicron variant cases have a high proportion of males, mainly young and middle-aged, and the proportion of fever patients is less than 30%. The disease duration is significantly lower than that of the original strain in Wuhan, and shows "V" distribution with each age group. Sex had no effect on the disease duration. COVID-19 vaccination did not have a clinical effect on the disease duration.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To understand the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of influenza in Mianyang City from 2019 to 2021, so as to provide a basis for the prevention and control of influenza. Methods: Influenza surveillance data in Mianyang City from 2019 to 2021 were collected and analyzed statistically. Results: A total of 55 970 cases of influenza were reported in Mianyang City from 2019 to 2021, with an average annual incidence of 388.08/100 000. A total of 103 723 cases of influenza-like illness cases (ILI) were reported, with an average annual ILI% of 3.58%. The incidence, ILI%, and positive detection rates of influenza were all far higher than those in the corresponding period in 2019. The classification of the population is mainly composed of students under the age of 15. The top three reported cases were Fucheng District (20 118, 35.94%), Youxian District (6 394, 11.42%) and Jiangyou District (5 800, 10.36%). 10 126 samples of ILI were received and detected, with a positive rate of 19.53%, the positive rate of ILI samples was mainly students under 15 years old. The dominant strains of influenza viruses showed an alternating trend over the years, and A (H3) was the predominant type in 2019. Except for 2 A (H9) strains detected in 2021, the rest were all BV strains. Due to the impact of COVID-19 in 2020, the positive detection rate was low throughout the year. 43 outbreaks of ILI were reported, which were mainly occurred in winter, and most of them were in primary schools. Conclusion: From 2019 to 2021, the characteristics of cases, ILI, pathogen surveillance and outbreak events of influenza in Mianyang City are basically the same, with students under 15 years of age and schools remaining the key population and sites of concern. the importance of non-pharmaceutical interventions for influenza prevention and control is further evidenced by the low incidence of influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 was first identified in humans in December 2019 and has since affected almost 68 million people causing over 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Animal-to-human and animal-to-animal transmission has been documented within farmed minks in several countries. SARS-CoV-2 has been identified in a farmed mink population in a number of countries. Some of the affected farms reported also workers SARS-CoV-2 infection and it is hypothesized that the mink farms were infected through human-mink transmission proving SARS-CoV-2 capability of reverse zoonosis. This Tripartite Risk Assessment, as a joint effort under the GLEWS+ initiative, completed with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), evaluates the risk of introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 within fur farming systems as well as whether farmed fur animals could play a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to humans via spillover. Additionally, using a One Health approach, the Tripartite evaluated the risk of the escaped minks leading to the establishment of a viral reservoir in susceptible wildlife populations. This work provides guidance to Members on this newly emerging threat.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the epidemiology of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center (Guangzhou HEMC) from 2008 to 2020. Method: Based on the monitoring and early warning system of public health emergencies in Guangzhou, the surveillance data of influenza-like illness from 2008 to 2020 in universities in the Guangzhou HEMC were derived and analyzed statistically.
ABSTRACT
Exploring the temporal and spatial clustering characteristics of the new type of corona virus pneumonia(corona virus disease 2019, COVID-19) in Hubei Province and the socio-economic influencing factors have essential reference value for epidemic prevention and control. This paper conducted a spatiotemporal cluster analysis of the COVID-19 epidemic data in Hubei Province. According to the clustering results, different epidemic development stages were divided. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the economic and social factors affecting the epidemic development in Hubei Province (except Wuhan City). The results of spatiotemporal cluster analysis showed that the first level spatiotemporal cluster area was Wuhan City from January 31 to February 20, 2020, and the relative risk was 29.08. The second level spatiotemporal cluster areas were Xiaogan, Suizhou, Xiantao, Jingzhou, Jingmen, Yichang, Tianmen, and Qianjiang cities from January 31 to February 6, 2020, and the average relative risk was 1.60. Relative risk(RR) can quantitatively reflect the degree of epidemic risk in a region, help classify risk levels, allocate resources rationally, and formulate epidemic prevention measures. Exploring the socio-economic factors affecting the spread of the epidemic in stages has a great significance to studying the spread of the epidemic. Population density, gross domestic product(GDP) per capita, the proportion of Wuhan's immigrant population, and the intensity of travel within the city have an important impact on the spread of the epidemic. Per capita GDP is the main factor affecting the incidence rate of the epidemic. During the rapid development period, the proportion of the immigrant population and the intensity of travel in Wuhan are important indicators. The "primary transmission" of close contact between the incoming population and the local population in Wuhan plays a major role in the spread of the epidemic. The population density and the proportion of the immigrant population in Wuhan during the outbreak period are the important influencing factors of the epidemic. The community family gathering transmission is the main transmission mode of the epidemic at this stage. In the process of epidemic prevention and control, targeted measures should be implemented according to the differences of epidemic transmission modes in different periods, such as strengthening the publicity of epidemic prevention and control in the early stage of the epidemic, improving personal awareness of epidemic prevention, paying attention to the prevention and control of the imported population, and controlling population flow. In the middle and late stages of the epidemic, we should focus on preventing and controlling local transmission, strengthening the prevention and control of community and gathering activities, maintaining social distance in public places, and effectively preventing the rebound of the epidemic.
ABSTRACT
The asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has no perceptible clinical symptoms and signs, and it is not easy to be detected. The transmission of the virus carried by asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients is insidious, which brings great challenges to the control of the epidemic. Due to the length of the incubation period, some studies have failed to distinguish between asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections, resulting in a higher proportion of asymptomatic infections. This article reviews the latest research progress of characteristics, transmission, detection and control of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infection.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the global epidemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in August 2022 and the risk of importation.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the risk of public health emergencies, both the indigenous ones and the imported ones, which might occur in the mainland of China in March 2022.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Taking the COVID-19 data of the United States as an example, using software R to calculate of the serial interval (SI), basic reproduction number (R0), effective reproduction number (Re), doubling time and the number of COVID-19 using software R to provide a reference for the future epidemic response.
ABSTRACT
This article reported an astounding drop in dengue risk in 2020 attributable to public health and social measures during the pandemic. Taking population immunity into account, this study acknowledged how the unprecedented dengue burden of 2019 might have driven high immunity to dengue in 2020. This study also mentioned idiosyncrasies in the model that could not be explained. Moreover, it also adds possible considerations of (1) administrative delays and (2) genotype-replacement events driving the 2019 epidemics affecting conclusions drawn from the model. Therefore, the greatest dengue year on record in 2019, in terms of incidence, be treated as unique in that it was probably fuelled by viral evolutionary events resulting in genotype replacements and might falsely augment the differential dengue virus burden between a higher-than-usual 6-year mean dengue incidence (inclusive of 2019) versus the comparison year of 2020. From an academic standpoint, this study would be curious to see how the model would perform if the outlier year of 2019 were removed.