[Marburg haemorrhagic fever in Angola, 2005]. / Haemoragisk marburgfeber i Angola i 2005.

The current outbreak of Marburg haemorrhagic fever (MHF) in Angola is the largest recorded to date. The article provides an overview of MHF, including historical and clinical aspects, and summarises the status of the present outbreak. Until now, the main components of the public health response in Angola have been effective diagnosis and isolation of patients and contacts, and implementation of hygiene procedures by health workers at local health facilities. Involvement of the local community still constitutes the main challenge for successful control of MHF in Angola.

[Biological weapons and biological defence in Denmark]. / Den biologiske trussel og det biologiske beredskab i Danmark.

Biological weapons have been known for centuries, and since World War II, offensive programs have accelerated the development of these weapons considerably. The anthrax attacks in the fall 2001 and speculations regarding the research and development of Iraqi bioweapons have been causes for concern. The effect of biological weapons may be overwhelming, in particular when one is dealing with a contagious agent. The National Centre for Biological Defence provides a preparedness capability through evidence-based research and practical operational capabilities.

[Smallpox preparedness in Denmark]. / Koppeberedskab i Danmark.

Although the likelihood of a deliberate release is considered to be minor, smallpox virus poses a worldwide terrorism security risk because it (1) can easily be disseminated and transmitted from person to person; (2) results in high mortality rates and has the potential to create a major public health impact; (3) might cause public panic and social disruption; and (4) requires special action for public health preparedness. Consequently, Statens Serum Institute and the National Board of Health have developed a Danish smallpox preparedness plan. This article discusses critical aspects of the plan, including risk analysis and a multi-tiered action plan, vaccination, analysis of clinical specimens, the establishment of active surveillance teams and generic contingency elements.

[Evaluation of anthrax vaccination in Denmark]. / Evaluering af anthraxvaccination i Danmark.

The aim of this short review is to present the Danish experience with the U.K. anthrax vaccine as compared with international reviews regarding the immunological response, efficiency, safety and adverse reactions of the U.K. and U.S. anthrax vaccines.

[Disease outbreak monitoring system based on ambulance transport data]. / Monitorering af sygdomsudbrud på basis af akutte medicinske ambulancekørsler.

INTRODUCTION: Disease outbreak monitoring is relevant not only for naturally occurring diseases but also for detecting a biological terror event. Surveillance systems are already operational in Denmark, but none of these has the high update frequencies necessary for early warning, and the majority monitor specific infectious diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An early-warning system for detection of disease outbreaks in Denmark based on ambulance transport frequency was developed and tested employing a biological outbreak scenario. RESULTS: The system, termed "Bioalarm", demonstrated an ability to adapt to minor statistical variations due to, e.g., mild influenza epidemics and at the same time to elicit an early warning in the event of a outbreak consistent with a bioterrorist attack. CONCLUSION: Bioalarm not only is relevant for early warning of a disease outbreak as a result of a biological attack but also facilitates early detection of naturally occurring outbreaks.

The impact of health education on mother's knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of dengue haemorrhagic fever.

A mother’s knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study before and after health education of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) was carried out in four communes in Southern Viet Nam. The study showed that health education had made a strong impact on the mothers’ KAP of DHF. The KAP of mothers (how to recognize the child with DHF, how to take care of the child at home, and how to prevent the disease) were improved significantly after health education. This effective programme of health education on DHF can be implemented in other communities as part of the national programme for dengue control.