Abstract
Background: Climate change may contribute to higher incidence and wider geographic spread of vector borne diseases (VBDs). Effective monitoring and surveillance of VBDs is of paramount importance for the prevention of and timely response to outbreaks. Although international regulations exist to support this, barriers and operational challenges within countries hamper efficient monitoring. As a first step to optimise VBD surveillance and monitoring, it is important to gain a deeper understanding of system characteristics and experiences in to date non-endemic regions at risk of becoming endemic in the future. Therefore, this study qualitatively analyses the nature and flexibility of VBD surveillance and response in Beijing. Methods: In this qualitative study, eleven experts working in Beijing’s vector-borne diseases surveillance and response system were interviewed about vector-borne disease surveillance, early warning, response, and strengths and weaknesses of the current approach. Results: Vector-borne disease surveillance occurs using passive syndromic surveillance and separate vector surveillance. Public health authorities use internet reporting networks to determine vector-borne disease risk across Beijing. Response toward a vector-borne disease outbreak is uncommon in this setting due to the currently low occurrence of outbreaks. Conclusions: A robust network of centralised institutions provides the continuity and flexibility needed to adapt and manage possible vector-borne disease threats. Opportunities exist for population-based health promotion and the integration of environment and climate monitoring in vector-borne disease surveillance.
Highlights
IntroductionResearch suggests that climate change will lead to a higher incidence and wider geographic spread of vector borne diseases (VBDs) in explicit regions by the disruption of complex ecological systems that determine vector and pathogen distribution, contributing to uncertain future scenarios [4,5]
Disease and vector surveillance operates to a top-down governance framework, though lower level authorities have the autonomy to manage their respective work on the condition of keeping within the scope of national level instruction and guidelines
Human case reporting (NIDRIS) and vector surveillance (NVSN) function within separate reporting networks; Stakeholders deemed Beijing’s vector borne diseases (VBDs) surveillance to be operationally straightforward, specific, representative, timely, accepted by experts, flexible and adaptable; Challenges in Beijing’s VBD surveillance included doubtful sensitivity at population level, questionable reliability and a lack of VBD outbreaks to test system efficacy; Response guidelines for dengue and Japanese encephalitis outbreaks are found at national level, but no predefined outbreak plans exist for non-endemic VBDs
Summary
Research suggests that climate change will lead to a higher incidence and wider geographic spread of VBDs in explicit regions by the disruption of complex ecological systems that determine vector and pathogen distribution, contributing to uncertain future scenarios [4,5]. Climate change may contribute to higher incidence and wider geographic spread of vector borne diseases (VBDs). Effective monitoring and surveillance of VBDs is of paramount importance for the prevention of and timely response to outbreaks. This study qualitatively analyses the nature and flexibility of VBD surveillance and response in Beijing. Public health authorities use internet reporting networks to determine vector-borne disease risk across Beijing. Opportunities exist for population-based health promotion and the integration of environment and climate monitoring in vector-borne disease surveillance
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