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.

Mohannad Al Nsour,Haitham Bashier,Yasir Majeed,Bouchra Assarag,Mirza Amir Baig,Dana Shalabi,Khwaja Saeed,Abdelmounim Belalia,Sami Almudarra,Abdalla Mohammed Abdalla,Ilham Abu-Khader,Shahd Osman,Yousef Khader,Kamal Arqoub,Elfatih Malik,Aamer Ikram,Abulwahed Al Serouri

doi:10.2196/18503

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.

Highlights

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020 [1]
Coronaviruses are a large family of respiratory viruses that can cause diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) [3,4]
The causative agent of the current outbreak, which has originated in Wuhan City in China, was identified as a novel coronavirus on January 7, 2020 [5], and the disease has been named COVID-19

Summary

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020 [1]. The probable transmission from individuals before the onset of symptoms or very early minimal symptoms makes COVID-19 much more difficult to control. It reduces the impact of temperature screening and highlights the critical need for accurate contact tracing starting from the day before the onset of symptoms as well as strict quarantine measures and monitoring before more chains of contagion are established. Many of the EMR countries addressed the need for increasing capacity in the areas of surveillance and rapid identification of suspected cases, patient transfer and isolation, rapid diagnosis, tracing and follow-up of potential contacts, strict health facility infection prevention and control, and other active public health control interventions. Countries addressed the need for communication strategies that provide general populations and vulnerable populations with actionable information for self-protection, including identification of symptoms, and clear guidance for seeking treatment

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