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Implementing epidemic intelligence in the WHO African region for early detection and response to acute public health events.
Williams, George Sie; Impouma, Benido; Mboussou, Franck; Lee, Theresa Min-Hyung; Ogundiran, Opeayo; Okot, Charles; Metcalf, Tatiana; Stephen, Mary; Fekadu, Senait Tekeste; Wolfe, Caitlin M; Farham, Bridget; Hofer, Cristina; Wicht, Bertil; Tores, Claudia Codeço; Flahault, Antoine; Keiser, Olivia.
  • Williams GS; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Impouma B; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Mboussou F; Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Lee TM; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Ogundiran O; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Okot C; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Metcalf T; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Stephen M; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Fekadu ST; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Wolfe CM; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Farham B; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Hofer C; College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
  • Wicht B; World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Tores CC; Infectious Diseases Department, Universidad Federal do Rio de Janeiro Medical School, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • Flahault A; University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • Keiser O; Graph Network, Geneva, Switzerland.
Epidemiol Infect ; 149: e261, 2021 05 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1647899
ABSTRACT
Epidemic intelligence activities are undertaken by the WHO Regional Office for Africa to support member states in early detection and response to outbreaks to prevent the international spread of diseases. We reviewed epidemic intelligence activities conducted by the organisation from 2017 to 2020, processes used, key results and how lessons learned can be used to strengthen preparedness, early detection and rapid response to outbreaks that may constitute a public health event of international concern. A total of 415 outbreaks were detected and notified to WHO, using both indicator-based and event-based surveillance. Media monitoring contributed to the initial detection of a quarter of all events reported. The most frequent outbreaks detected were vaccine-preventable diseases, followed by food-and-water-borne diseases, vector-borne diseases and viral haemorrhagic fevers. Rapid risk assessments generated evidence and provided the basis for WHO to trigger operational processes to provide rapid support to member states to respond to outbreaks with a potential for international spread. This is crucial in assisting member states in their obligations under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005). Member states in the region require scaled-up support, particularly in preventing recurrent outbreaks of infectious diseases and enhancing their event-based surveillance capacities with automated tools and processes.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: World Health Organization / Epidemics / Public Health Surveillance Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Epidemiol Infect Journal subject: Communicable Diseases / Epidemiology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S095026882100114X

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: World Health Organization / Epidemics / Public Health Surveillance Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Epidemiol Infect Journal subject: Communicable Diseases / Epidemiology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S095026882100114X