The Role of the Global Health Development/Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network and the Eastern Mediterranean Field Epidemiology Training Programs in Preparedness for COVID-19

JMIR public health and surveillance
Volume 6, Issue 1, e18503

Al Nsour, M.; Bashier, H.; Al Serouri, A.; Malik, E.; Khader, Y.; Saeed, K.; Ikram, A.; Abdalla, A. M.; Belalia, A.; Assarag, B.; Baig, M. A.; Almudarra, S.; Arqoub, K.; Osman, S.; Abu-Khader, I.; Shalabi, D.; Majeed, Y.

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have a high vulnerability and variable capacity to respond to outbreaks. Many of these countries addressed the need for increasing capacity in the areas of surveillance and rapid response to public health threats. Moreover, countries addressed the need for communication strategies that direct the public to actions for self- and community protection. This viewpoint article aims to highlight the contribution of the Global Health Development (GHD)/Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) and the EMR's Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETPs) to prepare for and respond to the current COVID-19 threat. GHD/EMPHNET has the scientific expertise to contribute to elevating the level of country alert and preparedness in the EMR and to provide technical support through health promotion, training and training materials, guidelines, coordination, and communication. The FETPs are currently actively participating in surveillance and screening at the ports of entry, development of communication materials and guidelines, and sharing information to health professionals and the public. However, some countries remain ill-equipped, have poor diagnostic capacity, and are in need of further capacity development in response to public health threats. It is essential that GHD/EMPHNET and FETPs continue building the capacity to respond to COVID-19 and intensify support for preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

Keywords

COVID-19, Outbreak, Preparedness, Response, Public health 

Routes for COVID-19 importation in Brazil

Journal of travel medicine

Candido, D. D. S.; Watts, A.; Abade, L.; Kraemer, M. U. G.; Pybus, O. G.; Croda, J.; Oliveira, W.; Khan, K.; Sabino, E. C.; Faria, N. R.

Abstract

The global outbreak caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been declared a pandemic by the WHO. As the number of imported SARS-CoV-2 cases is on the rise in Brazil, we use incidence and historical air travel data to estimate the most important routes of importation into the country.

Keywords

Coronavirus, brazil, disease outbreaks, severe acute respiratory syndrome, air travel, pandemics, sars-cov-2, covid-19

Serological and molecular findings during SARS-CoV-2 infection: the first case study in Finland, January to February 2020

Euro surveillance: European communicable disease bulletin

Haveri, A.; Smura, T.; Kuivanen, S.; Osterlund, P.; Hepojoki, J.; Ikonen, N.; Pitkapaasi, M.; Blomqvist, S.; Ronkko, E.; Kantele, A.; Strandin, T.; Kallio-Kokko, H.; Mannonen, L.; Lappalainen, M.; Broas, M.; Jiang, M.; Siira, L.; Salminen, M.; Puumalainen, T.; Sane, J.; Melin, M.; Vapalahti, O.; Savolainen-Kopra, C.

Abstract

The first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Finland was confirmed on 29 January 2020. No secondary cases were detected. We describe the clinical picture and laboratory findings 3-23 days since the first symptoms. The SARS-CoV-2/Finland/1/2020 virus strain was isolated, the genome showing a single nucleotide substitution to the reference strain from Wuhan. Neutralising antibody response appeared within 9 days along with specific IgM and IgG response, targeting particularly nucleocapsid and spike proteins.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment; Epidemiology

Dynamics of scientific publications on the MERS-CoV outbreaks in Saudi Arabia

Journal of Infection and Public Health
Volume 10, Issue 6, November–December 2017, Pages 702-710

Ali A. Rabaan, Shamsah H. Al-Ahmed, Ali M.Bazzi, and Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq

Abstract

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging disease with a relatively high case fatality rate. Most cases have been reported from Saudi Arabia, and the disease epidemic potential is considered to be limited. However, human–human transmission has occurred, usually in the context of healthcare facility-associated outbreaks. The scientific and medical community depends on timely publication of epidemiological information on emerging diseases during outbreaks to appropriately target public health responses. In this review, we considered the academic response to four MERS CoV outbreaks that occurred in Al-Hasa in 2013, Jeddah in 2014 and Riyadh in 2014 and 2015. We analysed 68 relevant epidemiology articles. For articles for which submission dates were available, six articles were submitted during the course of an outbreak. One article was published within a month of the Al-Hasa outbreak, and one each was accepted during the Jeddah and Riyadh outbreaks. MERS-CoV epidemiology articles were cited more frequently than articles on other subjects in the same journal issues. Thus, most epidemiology articles on MERS-CoV were published with no preferential advantage over other articles. Collaboration of the research community and the scientific publishing industry is needed to facilitate timely publication of emerging infectious diseases.

Keywords

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Outbreak, Epidemiology, Publication, Saudi Arabia, MERS-CoV