Thyroid outbreak during the pandemic of COVID-19: a report

ABSTRACT

Background: In the 19th Week of 2020, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) noted an unusual increase in the number of fever cases in Routine Syndromic Surveillance. Objectives: The unusual increase of fever cases were investigated to identify the agent, the source of infection and to propose recommendations for control measures. Methods: Active surveillance of fever cases done, blood samples, stool samples and water samples were collected from the affected area. The secondary data of indoor and outdoor patient were collected from the nearest health facilities. Result: It was a single peak outbreak of typhoid, started from 1st May, 2020, had peaked during the 19th Week of May. 2020 and ended on 31st May, 2020. The epicentre of the outbreak was the residential colony of Industrial labour. The outbreak of Typhoid occurred due to conditions generated due to the pandemic of COVID -19. Two sources of active infection were found. First, contaminated supply of drinking water and second a food-handler, who was the carrier of Typhoid. Interpretation and Conclusion: It is a lesson to learn that the local communicable diseases should be monitor during the pandemic. Otherwise, that can cause the situation of co-epidemic.