Objective: This paper provides an overview of financing for tuberculosis (TB) prevention, diagnostic and treatment services in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region during 2005-2020.
Methods: This analysis uses the WHO global TB finance database to describe TB funding during 2005-2020 in 18 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the Western Pacific Region, with additional country-level data and analysis for seven priority countries: Cambodia, China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam.
Results: Funding for the provision of TB prevention, diagnostic and treatment services in the 18 LMICs tripled fromUS$ 358 million in 2005 to US$ 1061 million in 2020, driven largely by increases in domestic funding, which rose from US$ 325 million to US$ 939 million over the same period. In the seven priority countries, TB investments also tripled, from US$ 340 million in 2005 to US$ 1020 million in 2020. China alone accounted for much of this growth, increasing its financing for TB programmes and services fivefold, from US$ 160 million to US$ 784 million. The latest country forecasts estimate that US$ 3.8 billion will be required to fight TB in the seven priority countries by 2025, which means that unless additional funding is mobilized, the funding gap will increase from US$ 326 million in 2020 to US$ 830 million by 2025.
Discussion: Increases in domestic funding over the past 15 years reflect a firm political commitment to ending TB. However, current funding levels do not meet the required needs to finance the national TB strategic plans in the priority countries. An urgent step-up of public financing efforts is required to reduce the burden of TB in the Western Pacific Region.
{"title":"Financing for tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment services in the Western Pacific Region in 2005-2020.","authors":"Fukushi Morishita, Hend Elsayed, Tauhid Islam, Kalpeshsinh Rahevar, Kyung Hyun Oh, Manami Yanagawa, Katherine Floyd, Inés Garcia Baena","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.3.976","DOIUrl":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.3.976","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This paper provides an overview of financing for tuberculosis (TB) prevention, diagnostic and treatment services in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region during 2005-2020.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This analysis uses the WHO global TB finance database to describe TB funding during 2005-2020 in 18 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the Western Pacific Region, with additional country-level data and analysis for seven priority countries: Cambodia, China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Funding for the provision of TB prevention, diagnostic and treatment services in the 18 LMICs tripled fromUS$ 358 million in 2005 to US$ 1061 million in 2020, driven largely by increases in domestic funding, which rose from US$ 325 million to US$ 939 million over the same period. In the seven priority countries, TB investments also tripled, from US$ 340 million in 2005 to US$ 1020 million in 2020. China alone accounted for much of this growth, increasing its financing for TB programmes and services fivefold, from US$ 160 million to US$ 784 million. The latest country forecasts estimate that US$ 3.8 billion will be required to fight TB in the seven priority countries by 2025, which means that unless additional funding is mobilized, the funding gap will increase from US$ 326 million in 2020 to US$ 830 million by 2025.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Increases in domestic funding over the past 15 years reflect a firm political commitment to ending TB. However, current funding levels do not meet the required needs to finance the national TB strategic plans in the priority countries. An urgent step-up of public financing efforts is required to reduce the burden of TB in the Western Pacific Region.</p>","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10632603/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89719743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-08-18eCollection Date: 2023-07-01DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.3.1011
Babu Ivan Mani, Panduru Venkata Kishore, Wai Yan Khine, Dilip Joseph Thottacherry, Pui Lin Chong, Muhamad Syafiq Abdullah, Rosmonaliza Asli, Natalie Raimiza Momin, Noor Affizan Rahman, Chee Fui Chong, Vui Heng Chong
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection is expected to become more common in countries where TB is endemic, and coinfection has been reported to be associated with less favourable outcomes. Knowing about the manifestations and outcomes of coinfection is important as COVID-19 becomes endemic. During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei Darussalam, we encountered seven patients with COVID-19 and Mycobacterium coinfection. Cases of coinfection included three patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary Mycobacterium infection (two cases of pulmonary TB [PTB] and one case of Mycobacterium fortuitum infection) and four patients who were already being treated for TB (three cases of PTB and one case of TB lymphadenitis). Among the new cases, one had previously tested negative for PTB during a pre-employment medical fitness evaluation and had defaulted from follow up and evaluation. One case died: a 42-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and hypertension who had severe COVID-19 and needed urgent dialysis and supplemental oxygen. All other patients recovered from COVID-19 and completed their TB treatment.
{"title":"COVID-19 and <i>Mycobacterium</i> coinfection in Brunei Darussalam: case series.","authors":"Babu Ivan Mani, Panduru Venkata Kishore, Wai Yan Khine, Dilip Joseph Thottacherry, Pui Lin Chong, Muhamad Syafiq Abdullah, Rosmonaliza Asli, Natalie Raimiza Momin, Noor Affizan Rahman, Chee Fui Chong, Vui Heng Chong","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.3.1011","DOIUrl":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.3.1011","url":null,"abstract":"Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection is expected to become more common in countries where TB is endemic, and coinfection has been reported to be associated with less favourable outcomes. Knowing about the manifestations and outcomes of coinfection is important as COVID-19 becomes endemic. During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei Darussalam, we encountered seven patients with COVID-19 and Mycobacterium coinfection. Cases of coinfection included three patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary Mycobacterium infection (two cases of pulmonary TB [PTB] and one case of Mycobacterium fortuitum infection) and four patients who were already being treated for TB (three cases of PTB and one case of TB lymphadenitis). Among the new cases, one had previously tested negative for PTB during a pre-employment medical fitness evaluation and had defaulted from follow up and evaluation. One case died: a 42-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and hypertension who had severe COVID-19 and needed urgent dialysis and supplemental oxygen. All other patients recovered from COVID-19 and completed their TB treatment.","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10632094/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89719739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-08-14eCollection Date: 2023-07-01DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.3.1079
Jocelyne Marie Basseal, Mary-Louise McLaws, Sophie Scott, Sharon Salmon
{"title":"Communicating health and science to the public: a role for scientists and academic researchers.","authors":"Jocelyne Marie Basseal, Mary-Louise McLaws, Sophie Scott, Sharon Salmon","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.3.1079","DOIUrl":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.3.1079","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10630702/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72015633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-27eCollection Date: 2023-07-01DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023,14.3.948
Genevieve K O'Neill, Janette Taylor, Jen Kok, Dominic E Dwyer, Meik Dilcher, Harry Hua, Avram Levy, David Smith, Cara A Minney-Smith, Timothy Wood, Lauren Jelley, Q Sue Huang, Adrian Trenholme, Gary McAuliffe, Ian Barr, Sheena G Sullivan
Objective: Circulation patterns of influenza and other respiratory viruses have been globally disrupted since the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the introduction of public health and social measures (PHSMs) aimed at reducing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission.
Methods: We reviewed respiratory virus laboratory data, Google mobility data and PHSMs in five geographically diverse regions in Australia and New Zealand. We also described respiratory virus activity from January 2017 to August 2021.
Results: We observed a change in the prevalence of circulating respiratory viruses following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in early 2020. Influenza activity levels were very low in all regions, lower than those recorded in 2017-2019, with less than 1% of laboratory samples testing positive for influenza virus. In contrast, rates of human rhinovirus infection were increased. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity was delayed; however, once it returned, most regions experienced activity levels well above those seen in 2017-2019. The timing of the resurgence in the circulation of both rhinovirus and RSV differed within and between the two countries.
Discussion: The findings of this study suggest that as domestic and international borders are opened up and other COVID-19 PHSMs are lifted, clinicians and public health professionals should be prepared for resurgences in influenza and other respiratory viruses. Recent patterns in RSV activity suggest that these resurgences in non-COVID-19 viruses have the potential to occur out of season and with increased impact.
{"title":"Circulation of influenza and other respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand, 2020-2021.","authors":"Genevieve K O'Neill, Janette Taylor, Jen Kok, Dominic E Dwyer, Meik Dilcher, Harry Hua, Avram Levy, David Smith, Cara A Minney-Smith, Timothy Wood, Lauren Jelley, Q Sue Huang, Adrian Trenholme, Gary McAuliffe, Ian Barr, Sheena G Sullivan","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023,14.3.948","DOIUrl":"10.5365/wpsar.2023,14.3.948","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Circulation patterns of influenza and other respiratory viruses have been globally disrupted since the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the introduction of public health and social measures (PHSMs) aimed at reducing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We reviewed respiratory virus laboratory data, Google mobility data and PHSMs in five geographically diverse regions in Australia and New Zealand. We also described respiratory virus activity from January 2017 to August 2021.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We observed a change in the prevalence of circulating respiratory viruses following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in early 2020. Influenza activity levels were very low in all regions, lower than those recorded in 2017-2019, with less than 1% of laboratory samples testing positive for influenza virus. In contrast, rates of human rhinovirus infection were increased. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity was delayed; however, once it returned, most regions experienced activity levels well above those seen in 2017-2019. The timing of the resurgence in the circulation of both rhinovirus and RSV differed within and between the two countries.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings of this study suggest that as domestic and international borders are opened up and other COVID-19 PHSMs are lifted, clinicians and public health professionals should be prepared for resurgences in influenza and other respiratory viruses. Recent patterns in RSV activity suggest that these resurgences in non-COVID-19 viruses have the potential to occur out of season and with increased impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10630701/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72015632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-06-22eCollection Date: 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.5.1017
Saho Takaya, Ji Young Lee, Takeshi Nishijima, Masahiro Zakoji, Howard L Sobel
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed clinical practice and health systems. This paper provides an overview of COVID-19 clinical management and health-care pathway challenges that the World Health Organization and its Member States in the Western Pacific Region have faced. The experiences and lessons identified can help countries to better prepare for future pandemics.
{"title":"Experiences in COVID-19 clinical management and health-care pathways in the Western Pacific.","authors":"Saho Takaya, Ji Young Lee, Takeshi Nishijima, Masahiro Zakoji, Howard L Sobel","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.5.1017","DOIUrl":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.5.1017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed clinical practice and health systems. This paper provides an overview of COVID-19 clinical management and health-care pathway challenges that the World Health Organization and its Member States in the Western Pacific Region have faced. The experiences and lessons identified can help countries to better prepare for future pandemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10583969/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49683036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-06-15eCollection Date: 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.6.1021
Sean T Casey, Erin Noste, Anthony T Cook, Jan-Erik Larsen, Simon Cowie, May M Ferguson, Pierre-Yves Beauchemin
{"title":"Localizing health emergency preparedness and response: emergency medical team development and operations in Pacific island countries and areas.","authors":"Sean T Casey, Erin Noste, Anthony T Cook, Jan-Erik Larsen, Simon Cowie, May M Ferguson, Pierre-Yves Beauchemin","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.6.1021","DOIUrl":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.6.1021","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10645487/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134650015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-18eCollection Date: 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.6.1026
Siosifa Sifa, Sela Ki Folau Fusi, Sean T Casey, Penisimani Poloniati, Kaloafu Tavo, Yutaro Setoya
Problem: The undersea Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted on 15 January 2022, causing a tsunami that affected Tonga as well as other countries around the Pacific rim. Tonga's international borders were closed at the time due to the coronavirus disease pandemic, but clinical surge support was needed to respond to this disaster.
Context: Tonga's Ministry of Health formed the Tonga Emergency Medical Assistance Team (TEMAT) in 2018 to provide clinical care and public health assistance during disasters, outbreaks and other health emergencies. TEMAT was activated for the first time in January 2022 to respond to medical and public health needs following the eruption and tsunami.
Action: On 16 January 2022, a five-person TEMAT advance team was deployed to conduct initial damage assessments and provide casualty care. Subsequently, TEMAT rotations were deployed to provide clinical care and public health support across the Ha'apai island group for over 2 months.
Outcome: TEMAT deployed to the islands most affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami within 24 hours of the event, providing emergency clinical, psychosocial and public health services across four islands. TEMAT reported daily to the Ministry of Health and National Emergency Management Office, providing critical information for response decision-making. All TEMAT actions were documented, and an after-action review was conducted following the deployment.
Discussion: TEMAT's deployment in response to the 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami highlighted the importance of national emergency medical teams that are prepared to respond to a range of emergency events.
{"title":"Tonga national emergency medical team response to the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunami: the first deployment of the Tonga Emergency Medical Assistance Team (TEMAT).","authors":"Siosifa Sifa, Sela Ki Folau Fusi, Sean T Casey, Penisimani Poloniati, Kaloafu Tavo, Yutaro Setoya","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.6.1026","DOIUrl":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.6.1026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Problem: </strong>The undersea Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted on 15 January 2022, causing a tsunami that affected Tonga as well as other countries around the Pacific rim. Tonga's international borders were closed at the time due to the coronavirus disease pandemic, but clinical surge support was needed to respond to this disaster.</p><p><strong>Context: </strong>Tonga's Ministry of Health formed the Tonga Emergency Medical Assistance Team (TEMAT) in 2018 to provide clinical care and public health assistance during disasters, outbreaks and other health emergencies. TEMAT was activated for the first time in January 2022 to respond to medical and public health needs following the eruption and tsunami.</p><p><strong>Action: </strong>On 16 January 2022, a five-person TEMAT advance team was deployed to conduct initial damage assessments and provide casualty care. Subsequently, TEMAT rotations were deployed to provide clinical care and public health support across the Ha'apai island group for over 2 months.</p><p><strong>Outcome: </strong>TEMAT deployed to the islands most affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami within 24 hours of the event, providing emergency clinical, psychosocial and public health services across four islands. TEMAT reported daily to the Ministry of Health and National Emergency Management Office, providing critical information for response decision-making. All TEMAT actions were documented, and an after-action review was conducted following the deployment.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>TEMAT's deployment in response to the 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami highlighted the importance of national emergency medical teams that are prepared to respond to a range of emergency events.</p>","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10645485/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134650016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-28eCollection Date: 2023-04-01DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1001
Emeryn C Victori, Ray Justin C Ventura, Mariz Zheila C Blanco, Rosario P Pamintuan, Rio L Magpantay, Karen B Lonogan
Objective: On 24 September 2022, the Regional Public Health Unit in Ilocos received a report of a cluster of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in one school in Balungao, Pangasinan Province, the Philippines. On 4 October 2022, the public health unit sent a team from the Field Epidemiology Training Program - Intermediate Course to conduct an outbreak investigation.
Methods: Active case-finding was conducted at the school. A suspected case was defined as any student or staff member with mouth ulcers and papulovesicular or maculopapular rash on the palms, fingers, soles of the feet or buttocks occurring from 1 September to 5 October 2022. We interviewed school officials about possible sources of infection and students' activities. We collected oropharyngeal swab samples for testing. Findings were used for descriptive analysis.
Results: Nine suspected cases of HFMD were detected, with the highest number of cases (6, 67%) occurring in children in grade 1. The majority of cases (7, 78%) were 6 years old, and five cases (56%) were male. Seven (78%) of the cases had been exposed to a confirmed case of HFMD, as reported by their parents or guardians and teachers. Six cases (67%) were positive for coxsackievirus A16 and two (22%) for enterovirus.
Discussion: The causative agents of this outbreak were coxsackievirus A16 and other enteroviruses. Direct contact with a confirmed case was the source of transmission, with a lack of physical distancing in classrooms likely contributing to transmission. We recommended that the local government implement measures to control the outbreak.
{"title":"School outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in Balungao, Pangasinan Province, Philippines, October 2022.","authors":"Emeryn C Victori, Ray Justin C Ventura, Mariz Zheila C Blanco, Rosario P Pamintuan, Rio L Magpantay, Karen B Lonogan","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1001","DOIUrl":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>On 24 September 2022, the Regional Public Health Unit in Ilocos received a report of a cluster of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in one school in Balungao, Pangasinan Province, the Philippines. On 4 October 2022, the public health unit sent a team from the Field Epidemiology Training Program - Intermediate Course to conduct an outbreak investigation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Active case-finding was conducted at the school. A suspected case was defined as any student or staff member with mouth ulcers and papulovesicular or maculopapular rash on the palms, fingers, soles of the feet or buttocks occurring from 1 September to 5 October 2022. We interviewed school officials about possible sources of infection and students' activities. We collected oropharyngeal swab samples for testing. Findings were used for descriptive analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine suspected cases of HFMD were detected, with the highest number of cases (6, 67%) occurring in children in grade 1. The majority of cases (7, 78%) were 6 years old, and five cases (56%) were male. Seven (78%) of the cases had been exposed to a confirmed case of HFMD, as reported by their parents or guardians and teachers. Six cases (67%) were positive for coxsackievirus A16 and two (22%) for enterovirus.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The causative agents of this outbreak were coxsackievirus A16 and other enteroviruses. Direct contact with a confirmed case was the source of transmission, with a lack of physical distancing in classrooms likely contributing to transmission. We recommended that the local government implement measures to control the outbreak.</p>","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10169525/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9470884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-01DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.989
James A Flint, Joanne Taylor, Tambri Housen, Barry Ropa, Bernnie Smaghi, Laura Macfarlane-Berry, Celeste Marsh, Alois Pukienei, Mathias Bauri, David N Durrheim
Problem: Fellows of the Papua New Guinea Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) were part of the national coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response. However, the specific activities and challenges experienced by fellows in the field were unknown.
Context: The advanced FETP cohort commenced just before the COVID-19 pandemic and all fellows were involved in the response. The advanced fellows participating in this review represented a cross-section of the country's public health workforce.
Action: A review was conducted to better understand the scope of activities undertaken by FETP fellows, identify the challenges experienced and assess how well the programme prepared fellows for their COVID-19 response roles. A facilitated discussion based on the World Health Organization COVID-19 intra-action review methodology and an online survey was conducted with advanced FETP fellows.
Outcome: The fellows made important contributions to the national COVID-19 response by assuming leadership positions at all levels of government, leading training activities and applying core field epidemiology competencies in surveillance and response activities. The programme had prepared them well for the response, giving them the confidence and skills to undertake a diverse range of response roles.
Discussion: The FETP review of the COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea highlighted the role and influence of the fellows during the pandemic response. Fellows were able to apply core field epidemiology competencies across a range of roles. The recommendations derived from this review will be instructive for the FETP specifically and the COVID-19 response generally.
{"title":"Involvement and readiness of fellows from Papua New Guinea's Field Epidemiology Training Programme in the COVID-19 response, 2020-2021.","authors":"James A Flint, Joanne Taylor, Tambri Housen, Barry Ropa, Bernnie Smaghi, Laura Macfarlane-Berry, Celeste Marsh, Alois Pukienei, Mathias Bauri, David N Durrheim","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.989","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.989","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Problem: </strong>Fellows of the Papua New Guinea Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) were part of the national coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response. However, the specific activities and challenges experienced by fellows in the field were unknown.</p><p><strong>Context: </strong>The advanced FETP cohort commenced just before the COVID-19 pandemic and all fellows were involved in the response. The advanced fellows participating in this review represented a cross-section of the country's public health workforce.</p><p><strong>Action: </strong>A review was conducted to better understand the scope of activities undertaken by FETP fellows, identify the challenges experienced and assess how well the programme prepared fellows for their COVID-19 response roles. A facilitated discussion based on the World Health Organization COVID-19 intra-action review methodology and an online survey was conducted with advanced FETP fellows.</p><p><strong>Outcome: </strong>The fellows made important contributions to the national COVID-19 response by assuming leadership positions at all levels of government, leading training activities and applying core field epidemiology competencies in surveillance and response activities. The programme had prepared them well for the response, giving them the confidence and skills to undertake a diverse range of response roles.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The FETP review of the COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea highlighted the role and influence of the fellows during the pandemic response. Fellows were able to apply core field epidemiology competencies across a range of roles. The recommendations derived from this review will be instructive for the FETP specifically and the COVID-19 response generally.</p>","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10363416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10139435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Problem: Novel vaccines were developed in an unprecedentedly short time in response to the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which triggered concerns about the safety profiles of the new vaccines. This paper describes the actions and outcomes of three major adverse events of special interest (AESIs) reported in the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Western Pacific Region: anaphylaxis, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and post-vaccination death.
Context: During the large-scale introduction of various novel COVID-19 vaccines, robust monitoring of and response to COVID-19 vaccine safety events were critical.
Action: We developed and disseminated information sheets about anaphylaxis and TTS; provided tailor-made training for anaphylaxis monitoring and response, webinars about TTS and AESIs, and an algorithm to support decision-making about AESIs following immunization; as well as provided country-specific technical support for causality assessments, including for possible vaccination-related deaths.
Outcome: Each major vaccine event and situation of high concern was responded to appropriately and in a timely manner with comprehensive technical support from WHO. Our support activities have not only strengthened countries' capacities for vaccine safety surveillance and response, but also enabled countries to decrease the negative impact of these events on their immunization programmes and maintain the confidence of health-care professionals and the general population through proactive delivery of risk communications.
Discussion: This paper summarizes selected, major AESIs following COVID-19 vaccination and responses made by WHO's Regional Office for the Western Pacific to support countries. The examples of responses to vaccine safety events during the pandemic and unprecedented mass vaccination campaigns could be useful for countries to adopt, where applicable, to enhance their preparation for activities related to monitoring vaccine safety.
{"title":"Responding to COVID-19 vaccine-related safety events: WHO Western Pacific regional experience and lessons learned.","authors":"Heeyoun Cho, Ananda Amarasinghe, Yoshihiro Takashima","doi":"10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Problem: </strong>Novel vaccines were developed in an unprecedentedly short time in response to the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which triggered concerns about the safety profiles of the new vaccines. This paper describes the actions and outcomes of three major adverse events of special interest (AESIs) reported in the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Western Pacific Region: anaphylaxis, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and post-vaccination death.</p><p><strong>Context: </strong>During the large-scale introduction of various novel COVID-19 vaccines, robust monitoring of and response to COVID-19 vaccine safety events were critical.</p><p><strong>Action: </strong>We developed and disseminated information sheets about anaphylaxis and TTS; provided tailor-made training for anaphylaxis monitoring and response, webinars about TTS and AESIs, and an algorithm to support decision-making about AESIs following immunization; as well as provided country-specific technical support for causality assessments, including for possible vaccination-related deaths.</p><p><strong>Outcome: </strong>Each major vaccine event and situation of high concern was responded to appropriately and in a timely manner with comprehensive technical support from WHO. Our support activities have not only strengthened countries' capacities for vaccine safety surveillance and response, but also enabled countries to decrease the negative impact of these events on their immunization programmes and maintain the confidence of health-care professionals and the general population through proactive delivery of risk communications.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This paper summarizes selected, major AESIs following COVID-19 vaccination and responses made by WHO's Regional Office for the Western Pacific to support countries. The examples of responses to vaccine safety events during the pandemic and unprecedented mass vaccination campaigns could be useful for countries to adopt, where applicable, to enhance their preparation for activities related to monitoring vaccine safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":31512,"journal":{"name":"Western Pacific Surveillance and Response","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10363418/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10512591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}