ABSTRACT
Introduction: Mosquito-borne diseases have historically affected communities, especially in tropical areas where mosquitoes and illnesses are endemic. Globalization, climate change, and increased travel have created ideal conditions for outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases that could threaten the American health system and place a burden on the national economy, especially in southern states. Methods: The study adopts a quantitative cross-sectional design with a retrospective survey carried out using the Pollfish platform in June 2022. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression to assess the three hypotheses: (H1) Chikungunya awareness is related to sociodemographic factors;(H2) Wearing long sleeves and pants is related to (a) Chikungunya awareness and (b) information-seeking behaviors, when controlling for sociodemographic variables;(H3) Use of insect repellents is related to (a) Chikungunya awareness and (b) information-seeking behaviors when controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results: The results highlight the relationships between chikungunya's awareness, information-seeking behavior, and willingness to engage in protective behaviors. 45.91% of the participants mentioned not having heard about chikungunya, and 67.07% of respondents had sought information about mosquito-borne illnesses in the past, 55.9% have looked at the U.S. State Department's website for mosquito-borne diseases, 38.32% have visited the U.S. CDC website for information specifically about chikungunya. Conclusions: The results of this study show that most American travelers are unaware of chikungunya and its mode of transmission. Travel could likely introduce the chikungunya virus to the United States. Despite increased health information-seeking behavior among U.S. residents after the Covid19 pandemic, Chikungunya awareness is low.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic spreads across borders with the frequent global population movement. To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on China's domestic epidemic prevention and control, based on the classical infectious disease dynamics model this paper proposes an infectious disease model that considers oversea imported cases. The model can simulate three situations:national pandemic without imported cases, no domestic cases with only imported cases, and domestic cases with international travellers entering simultaneously. By calculating the peak case number and range of infection spread duration in these situations, as well as the amount of medical resources invested, the model has shown the different results of impact of entry type on the domestic pandemic and different pressures on medical resources. Finally, the paper suggests that testing measures should be taken according to the degree of pandemic risk and resource conditions, that strict prevention and control should be applied to the people not entering through customs, and closed-loop management to the people entering through customs, that entry quarantine measures and quarantine periods should be dynamically adjusted and international exchanges should be gradually resumed in the context of ensuring domestic and overseas epidemic prevention and control in advance, and that it is necessary to integrate medical resources, improve allocation efficiency, and relieve the pressure of resource occupation.
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the epidemiology, prevalence, transmission, prevention and control of some infectious diseases in companion animals, livestock, wild animals and humans in Ontario, Canada, in 2022, including SARS-CoV-2;Echinococcus multilocularis, Leishmania spp. and SARS-CoV-2;antimicrobial stewardship resources;2 cases of rabid dogs imported from Iran (July 2021 and January 2022);prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriacea, Dirofilaria immitis, Brucella canis, canine parainfluenza and adeno- and herpes viruses in dogs recently imported from Asia;Paragonimus kellicotti lung flukes and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in dogs;African swine fever in pet pigs, backyard pigs and wild pigs and blastomycosis in dogs and humans.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To review the characteristic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks in mainland China, particularly post-Wuhan outbreaks, and to help design effective responses in the foreseeable future. Method: The data regarding COVID-19 outbreaks between December 2019 and March 16, 2022 were obtained from China's publicly available databases. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Five outbreak stages were defined according to distinct epidemiological characteristics across different time periods over the past two years. Result: Since the 2020 Wuhan outbreak, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) local infections were confirmed in 37 995 cases as of March 16, 2022. We identified 285 isolated outbreaks in unrelated people that occurred in four additional distinct stages, over 57% of which had been imported, such as imported infected travelers and fomite transmission. The basic reproduction number (R0) of original SARS-CoV-2 was about 2.79, while the Delta variant was about 5.08 and Omicron was 7.0 or greater, resulting in the disease being more contagious during the fourth (Delta) and fifth (Omicron) stages than previous stages. Conclusion: China has experienced various COVID-19 outbreaks of different levels since the start of the pandemic in Wuhan, and local transmission is mainly caused by imported sources. If the "dynamic COVID-zero" policy is not appropriately followed, it will be difficult to contain the spread in China from overseas and to cope with the Omicron variant.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the risk of public health emergencies occurring in the mainland of China or possibly imported from outside China in January 2023. Methods: Based on various data and departmental notification information on domestic and foreign public health emergencies reports and surveillance of key infectious diseases, the expert consultation method was used and experts from provincial (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) centers for disease prevention and control were invited to participate in the assessment by video conference. Results: The number of public health emergencies reported in January 2023 is expected to increase or be similar to that reported in December 2022. The COVID-19 rebound in the northern hemisphere is likely to continue in January 2023 due to immune escape of BQ, XBB and other possible emerging Omicron variants' subtypes. The increased migration of people in Chinese mainland during the Spring Festival in 2023 could increase the risk of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 among uninfected people. The level of influenza virus activity is likely to increase in January, and influenza A is likely to dominate. January 2023 remains risky month for nonoccupational carbon monoxide poisoning. Conclusion: Special attention is given to COVID-19, and general attention is given to seasonal influenza and nonoccupational carbon monoxide poisoning.
ABSTRACT
On December 13, 2020, Yutian County People's hospital reported one imported malaria case in Hotan, Xinjiang. The patient had worked and lived in Yaounde, Cameroon, from January to September 2020. He was infected with malaria twice in March and May 2020. Antimalarial treatment was administrated by the team doctor for 2-3 days in each treatment. The treatment was stopped after the symptoms improved. The patient returned to China on September 16 and was hospitalized on December 13 due to a high fever of 39 degrees C and upper respiratory symptoms. Multiple detections of COVID-19 nucleic acid showed negative results. Peripheral blood from the patient was taken for Plasmodium rapid diagnostic test (RDT), which showed a positive result suggesting non Plasmodium falciparum infection. Ring stage P. ovale was found in the blood smear. Nested PCR showed positive for P. ovale. A diagnosis of imported ovale malaria was made. The patient was administrated with 4 dihydroartemisinin piperaquine tablets and 3 primaquine phosphate tablets daily. The malaria parasite test became negative after 8 days of treatment. The patient was followed up for 3 months after discharge and had no symptoms of chills or fever.
ABSTRACT
The study describing the process of discovery and source tracing of a native case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on Jan 2021, in Guangxi, China, to provide methodology for source investigation better in the future. Following the Epidemiological Investigation Plan for COVID-19 (version 7), information of the native COVID-19 case and related close contacts were collected. Real time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the nucleic acids of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in samples collected from the infection case, related close contacts, and the environment, combined with serum specific antibody detection. The positive nucleic acid samples were undergone whole genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and analyses of variation of amino acids. The whole genome sequence from the native case and the imported asymptomatic infected case from Indonesia containing 25 nucleotide mutation sites belong to L-Lineage European Branch II. 3. The imported asymptomatic case was the source of infection of this native case. The possible route of infection was that native case was exposed to contaminated environment by imported case, due to improper personal protective equipment. A focus on local outbreaks of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2-infected people from outside China is needed.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics and explore source of infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases imported through an inbound air flight from Kenya to Guangzhou, China.
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 April 2022. Methods An internet based expert counsel was conducted to analyze the surveillance data of public health emergencies and priority communicable diseases in China reported through different channels, and the experts in all provincial centers for disease control and prevention attended this video conference. Results It is expected that number of domestically reported public health emergency events other than COVID-19 in April would remain unchanged from March. The risk of domestic COVID-19 outbreaks caused by the indigenous transmission and the foreign importation is high, making it more difficult to prevent and control the epidemic. Local governments need to strengthen epidemic prevention and control in accordance with national requirements and hold the bottom line of no large-scale rebound of the epidemic. The number of pertussis cases will maintain rising trend due to the improvement of laboratory testing technology, the weakening of vaccine protection and the strengthening of surveillance in some districts. Conclusion Special attention should be paid to COVID-19. General attentions should be paid to pertussis.
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 June 2021. Methods: An internet based expert counsel was conducted to analyze the surveillance data of public health emergencies and priority communicable diseases in China reported through different channels, and the experts in all provincial centers for disease control and prevention attended this video conference. Results: Generally speaking, it is predicted that the incidence of public health emergencies would be similar in June with May. The risk of imported cases and secondary infections of COVID-19 would continue to exist, but would be controllable. It is the high incidence season of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome and most cases would be sporadic, however, the risk of cluster exits especially in previous epidemic areas. The incidences of food poisoning caused by toxic animal or plant or poisonous mushroom would increase significantly, and the incidences of food poisoning caused by microbe would be high. The earthquake-stricken areas such as Yunnan and Qinghai should further strengthen post-disaster public health responses. The potential flood-stricken areas predicted by the meteorological department need to pay attention to the risks of water-borne, food-borne and vector-borne diseases that may increase after the disaster. Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to COVID-19, and general attention should be paid to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, food poisoning and natural disaster.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Shangrao City, and provide scientific evidence for the development of prevention and control strategies.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of a family and workplace clustering of COVID-19, identify the source of infection and the transmission chain, and provide evidence for prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Field epidemiological method was used to conduct the investigation of confirmed cases and close contacts in this cluster. Data were analyzed with descriptive method. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the novel coronavirus nucleic acid in the collected respiratory tract samples.
ABSTRACT
The epidemiological data were collected from travellers who returned from Guinea on the 23rd of September, 2020 and were diagnosed with malaria at a COVID-19 quarantine site in Qingdao, Shandong Province. The epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of the cases and the epidemiology investigation and the rapid test screening results for other travellers on from the same flight and the interventions in reaction to the imported malaria cases were analyzed. The results showed that 4 out of 231 Guinean returned travellers had developed malaria symptoms, including chills and fever, during the isolation period. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) indicated Plasmodium falciparum infection. Considering the patients' travel history, clinical manifestations, and laboratory RDT test results, a confirmed diagnosis of imported P. falciparum malaria was made. The four malaria cases, who are male workers aged 29 to 55, were transferred to Jiaozhou People's Hospital for treatment. All four patients were administrated of artemether tablets upon diagnosis. One of the cases experienced severe malaria complications and were administrated with 12 doses (60 mg/dose) of artesunate intravenously for five days. The other three patients were treated with dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine phosphate tablets for one course of 8 tablets in 2 days (40 mg dihydroartemisinin and 320 mg piperaquine phosphate), respectively. Among the 231 returned travellers, 111(48.1%) had a history of malaria overseas. There were 23 positive cases detected by RDT, including the four symptomatic cases. The other 19 cases were asymptomatic. One of the asymptomatic cases became symptomatic three months later and was diagnosed as an imported P. malariae infection. Laboratory blood smear microscopic tests at the Jiaozhou City and Qingdao Municipal Center For Disease Control and Prevention showed negative results for the four malaria cases and the 19 RDT positive case. The samples from the four malaria cases were rechecked by the provincial reference laboratory of Shandong Institute of parasitic Disease. The results were negative for malaria infection by microscopic examination but positive for P. falciparum infection by nucleic acid test. It is suggested that during the routine control of COVID-19, the awareness of COVID-19 and malaria should be established among the returned travellers from high malaria-endemic areas. The health education "gate" should be moved forward to improve the treatment compliance for malaria cases and reduce the relapse or recrudescence caused by sub-optimal treatment.
ABSTRACT
Relevance: The modern period is characterized by a sharp deterioration the epidemiological situation at the global level for especially dangerous infections, including coronavirus infection, which served as the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and has become an urgent problem for the whole world. The need to study the development of the epidemiological situation for especially dangerous infections in the countries of the near and far abroad lies in their worldwide distribution and in the threat of importation into the Republic of Kazakhstan. In this regard, it is extremely important to study the development of the world epidemiological situation and predict especially dangerous infectionpp. Aim: Analysis of literature data on the epidemiological situation of especially dangerous infections in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the countries of the near and far abroad, and the world experience in predicting them. Search strategy: Scientific publications were searched in the following databases: PubMed, Medline, e-Library, using the scientific search engine Google Scholar. Search depth - 15 yearpp. Criteria for including publications in a literature review: publications in Russian and English;publications included in the PubMed, Medline, e-Library databases;publications with clearly formulated conclusions;publications over the past 15 yearpp. Criteria for excluding publications in the literature review: summary reports;articles with paid access;pp. A total of 75 sources were found. After reviewing the publications, 46 sources were included in the literature review. Result: Analysis of the literature data showed that today the epidemiological situation for especially dangerous infections is an urgent problem studied at the world level. The results of the analysis also showed the need to study the development of the global epidemiological situation for especially dangerous infections, including coronavirus infection, with further forecasting of the occurrence of especially dangerous infections in Kazakhstan.
ABSTRACT
Shanghai is a super-large metropolis with a highly developed globalization. Since the 21st century, Shanghai has experienced several threats of emerging and imported infectious diseases. Infectious disease surveillance has been established and developed from single-disease surveillances to a comprehensive surveillance network. Integration of clinical and preventive medicine has been gradually extended, which facilitates the improvement in the monitoring and early warning system. In 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic spread, Shanghai quickly established a prevention and control expert team and a clinical medical expert team to effectively and shortly control local COVID-19 epidemic. In order to improve Shanghai's capacity to respond to major epidemics of infectious diseases and public health emergencies, the metropolis will build and improve a three-level diagnosis and treatment system for emerging, imported, rare, and unknown infectious diseases in the next five years. Based on the big data monitoring platform of medical institutions, Shanghai will achieve the intelligence-supported diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, and consolidate the cooperation to implement the integration of clinical and preventive medicine.
ABSTRACT
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 is contagious and fatal to humans. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant concerns on food safety and security are rising due to potential interspecies transmission. As such, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 on imported meat and animal parts is carried out and reported in this study to safeguard food safety and security. Overall, none of the 225 samples from various livestock (buffaloes, cattle, goat and pig) imported from seven countries were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from July 2020 to November 2021. This study finding serves as a baseline data for SARS-CoV-2 in imported meat and animal parts. Notably, this study accentuated the importance of active surveillance to prevent zoonosis and to safeguard food safety and security.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and effect of prevention on imported COVID-19 cases in Beijing, and provide scientific evidences for the prevention and control of imported COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The Health Surveillance System reported in December 2019 cases with pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, China. The new disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was named COVID-19. On March 11, 2020, the first three imported cases were diagnosed in Cuba. The gradual introduction of different viral variants caused several outbreaks. It became necessary to look for alternatives that would allow epidemiological control to be achieved.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the association between global epidemic of COVID-19 and local situation of imported cases from abroad to Shanghai, and then to predict the risk of imported COVID-19 epidemic from December 2020 through March 2021.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To understand the cognition, attitude and awareness on the prevention and control of COVID-19 among recent international travellers back to China(hereinafter referred to as the inbound group)and local residents(domestic group), and to provide scientific evidence for further prevention and control of the epidemic.