Emergency government response team for global infectious disease outbreaks-a Japanese challenge.

Koji Wada,Tamotsu Nakasa,Yasuo Sugiura,Hidechika Akashi

doi:10.1186/s41182-016-0035-4

Koji Wada, Tamotsu Nakasa + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-016-0035-4

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Abstract

The Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa made it clear that international emergency assistance must be strengthened [1]. The Japanese government has contributed to combating infectious disease outbreaks by extending emergency aid to affected countries through international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross, and by providing emergency relief directly to affected countries. The Japanese government also dispatches individual experts on infectious diseases to affected regions through the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network of the WHO [2]. During the Ebola virus outbreak, Japan contributed approximately USD173 million in emergency aid and through various technical cooperation programs, and dispatched 20 experts to the affected countries through the WHO [3].

Highlights

The Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Infectious Diseases Response Team is a national team that collaborates with the relevant governmental agencies in the affected countries and international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO)
On May 19, the WHO declared that the yellow fever outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Angola was a public health concern requiring international assistance [8]
In July 2016, the JDR Infectious Diseases Response Team was dispatched on the first mission to respond to the yellow fever outbreak [9]

Summary

Introduction

The JDR Infectious Diseases Response Team is a national team that collaborates with the relevant governmental agencies in the affected countries and international partners, including the WHO. The JDR Infectious Diseases Response Team includes five areas of expertise: epidemiology, public health, clinical issues (treatment and infection control), laboratory testing and diagnosis, and logistics. Japanese experts from different organizations voluntarily register for membership of the team; approximately 200 experts had registered as of August 2016.

Results

Conclusion