Contagious Infectious Disease Research Articles

Health Impact and Cost-effectiveness Assessment for the Introduction of Universal Varicella Vaccination in Switzerland.

Varicella, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a highly contagious infectious disease with substantial health and economic burden to society. Universal varicella vaccination (UVV) is not yet recommended by the Swiss National Immunization Program, which instead recommends catch-up immunization for children, adolescents and adults 11-40 years of age who have no reliable history of varicella or are varicella-zoster virus-IgG seronegative. The objective of this study was to perform an assessment of health impact and cost-effectiveness comparing UVV with current practice and recommendations in Switzerland. A dynamic transmission model for varicella was adapted to Switzerland comparing 2 base-case schedules (no infant vaccination and 10% coverage with infant vaccination) to 3 different UVV schedules using quadrivalent (varicella vaccine combined with measles-mumps-rubella) and standalone varicella vaccines administered at different ages. Modeled UVV coverage rates were based on current measles-mumps-rubella coverage of approximately 95% (first dose) and 90% (second dose). Direct medical costs and societal perspectives were considered, with cost and outcomes discounted and calculated over a 50-year time horizon. UVV would reduce the number of varicella cases by 88%-90%, hospitalizations by 62%-69% and deaths by 75%-77%. UVV would increase direct medical costs by Swiss Franc (CHF) 39-49 (US $43-54) per capita and costs from a societal perspective by CHF 32-40 (US $35-44). Incremental quality-adjusted life-years per capita increased by 0.0012-0.0014. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for the UVV schedules versus the base-case were CHF 31,194-35,403 (US $34,452-39,100) per quality-adjusted life-year from the direct medical cost perspective and CHF 25,245-29,552 (US $27,881-32,638) from the societal perspective. UVV appears highly effective and cost-effective when compared with current clinical practice and recommendations in Switzerland from both a direct medical costs perspective and societal perspective.

Vaccination and Immunity toward Measles: A Serosurvey in Future Healthcare Workers.

Measles is a very contagious infectious disease, and vaccination is the only medical aid to counter the spread of the infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of vaccination schedule and type of vaccine, number of doses, and sex on the immune response. In a population of Italian medical students (8497 individuals born after 1980 with certificate of vaccination and quantitative measurement of antibodies against measles), the prevalence of positive antibodies to measles and antibody titer was measured. Vaccination schedule such as number of doses and vaccine type (measles alone or combined as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)) and sex were the variables considered to influence the immune response. The vaccination schedule depends on the year of birth: students born before 1990 were prevalently vaccinated once and with measles vaccine alone (not as MMR). One dose of vaccine induces a significantly (p < 0.0001) higher positive response and antibody titer than two doses, in particular when measles alone is used (p < 0.0001). Females have a significantly higher percentage of positive response (p = 0.0001) than males but only when the MMR formulation was used. Multiple linear regression confirms that sex significantly influences antibody titer when only MMR is used, after one (p = 0.0002) or two (p = 0.0060) doses. In conclusion, vaccination schedule and, partially, sex influence immune response to measles vaccination. Most notably, the measles vaccine alone (one dose) is more effective than one and two doses of MMR.

Pertussis infant morbidity and mortality trends after universal maternal immunisation in Mexico: An ecological database study with time-series analysis

IntroductionPertussis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis and a leading cause of infant mortality in Mexico. The Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine was recommended in the Mexican Immunisation Programme for pregnant women in 2013. We describe pertussis morbidity and mortality trends in infants ≤2 and ≤12 months of age), before and after maternal Tdap immunisation implementation in Mexico. MethodsAn ecological retrospective database study was performed in the Mexican National and Workers Social Security Institutes (IMSS; ISSSTE). Data were collected on confirmed pertussis ambulatory cases, hospitalisations, and deaths, plus vaccination coverage (Tdap; Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis [DTPa]) and population estimates. Descriptive and regression time-trend analyses were performed for pertussis morbidity and mortality in infants between pre- (2010–2012) and post- (2014–2018) maternal Tdap immunisation periods. ResultsAround 1 million infants a year are covered in IMSS/ISSSTE databases. Average full primary infant DTPa vaccine coverage was 71.4%-72.7% nationally. Since 2013, annual maternal Tdap vaccine coverage ranged from 70%-93%. Between 2010-2018, 2,024 pertussis cases, 2,518 hospitalisations and 71 deaths were reported in infants. Among infants 0–2 months old (maternal immunisation target group), there was a significant decrease, post-maternal vaccination, in pertussis incidence (49.9%, p < 0.000), hospitalisation (70.0%, p < 0.000) and mortality (82.4%, p = 0.003). In infants 0–12 months old, pertussis hospitalisations (28.9%, p = 0.000) and mortality (36.2%, p = 0.059) decreased, but incidence increased (61.8%, p = 0.000). ConclusionAfter maternal immunisation was implemented, there was a decreasing trend in incidence, hospitalisation and death due to pertussis in infants 0–2 months old. Increases in incidence reported in 0–12-month-olds are likely due to major changes in diagnosis and reporting introduced during the study period as well as limited vaccination and health coverage in some states. These findings confirm the important contribution of the Tdap maternal immunisation programme in reducing pertussis disease burden, particularly severe disease, among infants in Mexico.

Hafidh, THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS WITH THE LATENT TUBERCULOSIS

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Background : Pulmonary tuberculosis is a contagious infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Health workers have an increased risk of contracting tuberculosis, because they are exposed to TB in their workplaces. The absence of hospital control measures against TB infection makes the risk factor becomes high. Health workers often make contact with TB sufferers. In a good body condition, although infected by TB germs, it does not manifest as a disease or called latent TB. However, latent TB sufferers still have the risk of being active in certain conditions, which then becomes a source of new TB transmission. Objective: This study aims to look at the level of knowledge of health workers towards the incidence of Latent TB in the Hospital.&#x0D; Method : The research method is cross-sectional using a sample of health workers who work in hospitals. The sample size of this study was 46 people using purposive sampling. This study has a variable Health worker knowledge about TB disease and Latent TB incidence. The method of data analysis using Chi Square Test.&#x0D; Result : The results were not significant between the level of knowledge and the incidence of Latent TB in health workers (p = 0.584). While the use of masks with the incidence of latent TB had a significant relationship (p=0,001).&#x0D; Conclusion : There is no significant relationship between the level of knowledge with the incidence of Latent TB in health workers. While the use of masks with the incidence of latent TB has a significant relationship.&#x0D; Keywords : Tuberculin Skin Test, Awareness, Incident, Workplaces.

Neurological manifestations of COVID-19: with emphasis on Iranian patients

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has instigated a global pandemic as a formidable and highly contagious infectious disease. Although the respiratory system remains the most frequently affected organ, several case reports have revealed that the complications are not merely limited to the respiratory system, and neurotropic and neuroinvasive properties have also been observed, leading to neurological diseases. In the present paper, it was intended to review the possible neuroinvasive routes of SARS-CoV-2 and its mechanisms that may cause neurological damage. Additionally, the neurological manifestations of COVID-19 across the globe were discussed with emphasis on Iran, while highlighting the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It manifests with variable clinical pictures ranging from asymptomatic to mild or uncomplicated illness to severe disease with possible multi-organ involvement, with respiratory and vascular systems being the most often affected. Since COVID-19 can affect patients with autoimmune rheumatic conditions, the concomitant presence of two diseases may have clinical characteristics whose knowledge may help facilitate clinical management. This review discusses the data available in the literature on COVID-19 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Identification of New Positive Tuberculosis Cases in Aceh Besar District Using Ordinary Criging

Tuberculosis is a contagious infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The risk level of transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis with positive smear of acid-resistant bacteria (BTA). BTA is greater hight risk than pulmonary tuberculosis with negative smear. This study aims to predict areas of the number of new BTA positive tuberculosis cases in Aceh Besar district spatially using the kriging method. The data used are secondary data coordinate the point of the number of new cases of positive smear tuberculosis in each puskesmas in the province of Aceh in 2015-2017. The experimental semivariogram calculation is the first step in estimating using ordinary kriging, which is a reference for getting the parameters to be used in theoretical semivariogram calculations. In this case, the semivariogram suitable for new cases of smear positive tuberculosis is the one of the Spherical model. The sill value used is 126.530, the nugget=62, while the range used is based on the distance of each class = 0.158. The results of the analysis showed that the regions with the lowest positive BTA Tuberculosis prediction cases were around Pulo Aceh Sub-District, Montasik Sub-District, and Indrapuri Sub-District, with less than 15 cases. Whereas the region with the most positive predictions of new cases of BTA Tuberculosis was around Baitussalam Sub-District and Jantho City, with more than 30 cases.

Potential Natural Products Against Respiratory Viruses: A Perspective to Develop Anti-COVID-19 Medicines.

The emergence of viral pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV), known as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), resulted in a contagious acute respiratory infectious disease in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Its alarmingly quick transmission to many countries across the world and a considerable percentage of morbidity and mortality made the World Health Organization recognize it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The perceived risk of infection has led many research groups to study COVID-19 from different aspects. In this literature review, the phylogenetics and taxonomy of COVID-19 coronavirus, epidemiology, and respiratory viruses similar to COVID-19 and their mode of action are documented in an approach to understand the behavior of the current virus. Moreover, we suggest targeting the receptors of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 such as ACE2 and other proteins including 3CLpro and PLpro for improving antiviral activity and immune response against COVID-19 disease. Additionally, since phytochemicals play an essential role in complementary therapies for viral infections, we summarized different bioactive natural products against the mentioned respiratory viruses with a focus on influenza A, SARS-CoV, MERS, and COVID-19.Based on current literature, 130 compounds have antiviral potential, and of these, 94 metabolites demonstrated bioactivity against coronaviruses. Interestingly, these are classified in different groups of natural products, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and others. Most of these compounds comprise flavonoid skeletons. Based on our survey, xanthoangelol E (88), isolated from Angelica keiskei (Miq.) Koidz showed inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV PLpro with the best IC50 value of 1.2 μM. Additionally, hispidulin (3), quercetin (6), rutin (8), saikosaponin D (36), glycyrrhizin (47), and hesperetin (55) had remarkable antiviral potential against different viral infections. Among these compounds, quercetin (6) exhibited antiviral activities against influenza A, SARS-CoV, and COVID-19 and this seems to be a highly promising compound. In addition, our report discusses the obstacles and future perspectives to highlight the importance of developing screening programs to investigate potential natural medicines against COVID-19.

Rehabilitation after new coronavirus infection (COVID-19): principles and approaches

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which quickly became a pandemic in 2020, has presented new challenges for healthcare system. COVID-19, being a contagious infectious disease predominantly affects respiratory system, causes cardiovascular, neurocognitive, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, metabolic and mental damages, which is in fact a multisystem disease. Patients with COVID-19, primarily with moderate and severe forms, need appropriate rehabilitation. This article establishes need of development of rehabilitation programs for COVID-19 patients, identifies their problems that leads to restrictions on everyday life, self-service, mobility, communication, interpersonal relationships, and professional activities. Goals and general principles of medical rehabilitation in context of a pandemic at all three stages are presented. Features of rehabilitation approaches are highlighted and important components of individual rehabilitation program for COVID-19 patients are highlighted.

Recent advances in drug discovery against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Metal-based complexes.

Metal-based drugs are privileged motifs that act as primary pharmacophores in bioactive compounds for various diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). This potentially life-threatening and extremely contagious infectious disease is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). In 2018, TB infected about 10 million people and caused 1.2 million deaths worldwide. A large number of ligands are promising scaffolds in drug design, including heterocyclic, phosphines, schiff bases, thio and semicarbazones, aliphatic amines, cyclopalladated, cyanometallates and miscellaneous. Moreover, several metal-based complexes have been studied for the treatment of numerous illnesses, including infectious diseases. To contribute to drug design, we identified the metal-based organometallic complexes against Mtb. Thus, in this review article, we analysed the recent contributions of metal-based scaffolds for design of new anti-Mtb drugs in the last decade (2011-2020). Besides, metal-based approaches will be presented in order to find out new antitubercular agents.

Preterm Birth and Stillbirth During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Preterm Birth and Stillbirth During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Recent applications and strategies in nanotechnology for lung diseases.

Lung diseases, including COVID-19 and lung cancers, is a huge threat to human health. However, for the treatment and diagnosis of various lung diseases, such as pneumonia, asthma, cancer, and pulmonary tuberculosis, are becoming increasingly challenging. Currently, several types of treatments and/or diagnostic methods are used to treat lung diseases; however, the occurrence of adverse reactions to chemotherapy, drug-resistant bacteria, side effects that can be significantly toxic, and poor drug delivery necessitates the development of more promising treatments. Nanotechnology, as an emerging technology, has been extensively studied in medicine. Several studies have shown that nano-delivery systems can significantly enhance the targeting of drug delivery. When compared to traditional delivery methods, several nanoparticle delivery strategies are used to improve the detection methods and drug treatment efficacy. Transporting nanoparticles to the lungs, loading appropriate therapeutic drugs, and the incorporation of intelligent functions to overcome various lung barriers have broad prospects as they can aid in locating target tissues and can enhance the therapeutic effect while minimizing systemic side effects. In addition, as a new and highly contagious respiratory infection disease, COVID-19 is spreading worldwide. However, there is no specific drug for COVID-19. Clinical trials are being conducted in several countries to develop antiviral drugs or vaccines. In recent years, nanotechnology has provided a feasible platform for improving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, nanotechnology-based strategies may have broad prospects in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. This article reviews the latest developments in nanotechnology drug delivery strategies in the lungs in recent years and studies the clinical application value of nanomedicine in the drug delivery strategy pertaining to the lung.

Coronavirus Information Spread and Banks’ Stock Returns in Nigeria: An Event Study Approach

This research study empirically assessed the corona virus information spread and banks’ stock returns in Nigeria. The study adopted event study approach which suites the research because of its descriptive nature. The daily data of closing share prices of the selected banks listed in Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was collected from NSE website for a period of 146 days. Using 124 days estimation window, the result shows that the Intercept (C) and Market Returns (MKTR) has a coefficient of -0.00125 and -0.00848 respectively. Analyzing the stock of commercial banks in the Nigerian stock exchange during the first 100 days of COVID-19 contagious infectious disease outbreak in Nigeria, we find that the pandemic disease interacts positively with stock returns which is against the expectation. Specifically, banking firms’ abnormal returns on the corona virus information spread at 100th day are positive but insignificant. We therefore conclude that COVID-19 information into the Nigerian banking sector triggers positive investment in the sector with desirable abnormal returns. We therefore call the relevant authorities to adequately consider policy responses implemented in the sector, and to further analyze information about the COVID-19.

Critical interpretative synthesis of herd immunity for COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction:Countries globally are evaluating the concept of herd immunity and its critical role in the control of pandemic. The current paper attempts to conduct a critical interpretative synthesis (CIS) on the role of herd immunity in current COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:CIS is tool for developing theoretical framework using interpretation drawn from relevant empirical and non-empirical sources. This review is done by formulating review question for literature search. Purposive sampling of literature was done followed by reciprocal translational analysis of extracted data.Results:Herd immunity is indirect protection from a contagious infectious disease when a population is immune either through vaccination or natural immunity developed through previous infection. The reproduction number for COVID-19 in India was found to be 2.56 and herd immunity threshold as 61%.Discussion:Exposing 71% young population in India to the SARS-CoV-2 infection can achieve herd immunity but with high morbidity as well as mortality. Vaccine are under process. Feco-oral transmission and reinfection of COVID 19 are major factors to develop or break the circle of herd immunity in community. “Immunity passport” can give false sense of security. Surveillance and seroprevalence studies assess immunity status, gradual exposure of infection to younger population and collaborative partnerships on organizations are few strategies to acquire herd immunity.Conclusion:Herd immunity is a measure for prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic against the backdrop of mortality and morbidity. Vaccine can be boon but if herd immunity is to be acquired by natural infection then preparedness is necessary.

Salmonellosis in Calves by Serovar Dublin in Paraná State, Brazil - Clinicopathological Aspects

Background: Calf diarrhea remains one of the main diseases affecting the cattle industry. Persistence of this significant problem is associated with the complexity of factors that may be involved (infectious, environmental). An accurate diagnosis is essential for confirming the cause and helping clinicians and cattle producers to apply appropriate strategies in a timely manner. This report describes the histological changes according to the degree of salmonellosis severity, which is a contagious infectious disease caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, a Gram-negative bacterium, in two beef calves in northern Paraná State, southern Brazil. Cases: Two 90-day-old crossbred Angus and Nellore calves from a beef farm in northern Paraná State were referred to a Veterinary Hospital. Animal 1- developed acute clinical signs (enteritis, ataxia, and muscle rigidity) and died the day after the signs began. Gross findings included heavy and non-collapsed lungs, pulmonary oedema, hepatomegaly, enteritis, and severe diffuse typhlitis. Microscopic analysis revealed severe diffuse necrotic enteritis, typhlitis, severe diffuse interstitial pneumonia, moderate centrilobular hepatic necrosis, mild multifocal nephritis, and severe spleen and lymph node necrosis. Paratyphoid nodules were evidenced on the liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Animal 2- presented apathy, green fibrinous diarrhea, and died three days after the onset of clinical signs. The macroscopic examination showed moderate diffuse enteritis and hepatosplenomegaly. At the microscopic examination, many paratyphoid nodules were observed on the liver, spleen, kidneys, and Peyer's patches, which were associated with intralesional and intravascular bacilli. Additional findings included severe diffuse fibrinous necrotic enteritis with intralesional bacilli, diffuse interstitial pneumonia, multifocal splenic necrosis, lymphoid depletion, and moderate multifocal to coalescent lymphocytic nephritis. Histological Gram staining was performed on selected samples, revealing intralesional Gram-negative bacilli in the liver and intestine. Thus, liver and intestine fragments were used for the microbiological examination. Microbiological culture, isolation and biochemical tests identified the genus Salmonella spp. Then, the colonies were subjected to serological tests for serovar identification, according to ISO/TR 6579-3, which determined the serovar Dublin. After identifying the disease etiological agent, the outbreak was controlled by appropriate antibiotic therapy combined with the correction of sanitary measures.Discussion: Enteritis is a frequent disease in calves, posing a diagnostic challenge in identifying the etiological agent. In the present case, the histological, microbiological, and serological results confirmed a disseminated Salmonella spp. infection. The microscopic findings, such as interstitial pneumonia, fibrinous necrotic enteritis markedly in ileum and paratyphoid nodules in various organs, are the most common aspects of the disease. However, fibrinous cholecystitis, which is considered pathognomonic for salmonellosis, was not observed in this study. Therefore, the absence of such a lesion should not exclude the disease in sick animals. A microscopic injury score was used to determine lesion severity by assigning values from 1 to 4, wherein: 1 = no apparent lesions, 2 = mild lesions, 3 = moderate lesions, and 4 = severe lesions. Both calves were scored as 4. Multiple predisposing factors for the condition were identified in this farm such as different age animals in the same paddock and no specific paddock for sick animals, given that the infectious agent remains in feces, saliva, and nasal discharge. The serovar Dublin induces several clinical signs such as septicemic, respiratory, and enteric manifestations, making a clinical diagnosis a challenge. Keywords: dysbiosis, calf diarrhea, infection, paratyphoid nodules, septicemia.Descritores: disbiose, diarreia neonatal, infecção, nódulos paratifoides, septicemia.Título: Salmonelose em bezerros pelo sorovar Dublin no estado do Paraná, Brasil - aspectos clínico-patológicos

Seroprevalencia de Mycobacterium avium subespecie paratuberculosis en bovinos sospechosos sacrificados en rastro de Sonora, México

Paratuberculosis is an infectious-contagious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecie paratuberculosis (MAP), which affects the digestive tract of ruminants. MAP is distributed worldwide; however, there are no publications on the seroprevalence of this disease in cattle in the state of Sonora. Therefore, the objective of this study was to detect MAP seropositivity in cattle in Sonora, as well as to know its apparent prevalence in a population of adult cattle with emaciation and cachexia. Three hundred and eighty-five serum samples were analyzed from 370 female and 15 male cattle, older than 3 years, born in the state with signs of emaciation and cachexia. Data were collected on age, breed, zootechnical purpose and municipality of origin. The zootechnical purpose of the animals was mostly dual purpose cattle with 84.93% (370/385). The samples were processed using the commercial ELISA test. The results show an apparent seroprevalence of 2.08% (8/385) and the municipalities that presented seropositive animals were Hermosillo with 3 samples, as well as Guaymas, Huachinera, Ures, Villa Pesqueira and Fronteras, with one sample each. The present study demonstrates for the first time seropositivity to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in cattle in Sonora. In addition to a low apparent seroprevalence in the cattle population sampled. The presence of MAP in Sonora, which could be considered a neglected disease, highlights the need to know its possible role in public health in Mexico.

A Severe COVID-19 Infection in Neonates: A Case Report

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infectious disease. First case was reported at the end of 2019 in China. Children and neonate population appears to be relatively free of the virus. We reported a severe and fatal neonate case of COVID-19 in a 22 days old neonate female due to the delta variant strain during the third wave outbreak. She presented with fever, cough, grunting and diarrhea started 5 days before admission. Physical exam’s revealed severe respiratory distress, hypoxia and bilateral pulmonary condensation. PCR test for COVID-19 was positive. Chest X-ray found bilateral infiltrates. Chest CT showed diffuse ground glass images with 75% of lung parenchymal involvement. She was treated with antibiotics, corticostoid, respiratory support (CPAP and oxygen). Death occurred after 15 days of hospitalization in the context of multiple organ failure and pulmonary hypertension.

Management of a diagnostic radiology department amid Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SAR-CoV-2) is a highly contagious infectious disease and spreads through aerosols and fomites. Health care personnel who are at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic are also at greater risk of contracting the infection. Mixing of uninfected people with infected people is potentially hazardous, especially in a radiology department. Implementation of meticulous operational changes, curtailment of nonurgent radiological work, rationalization of staff, equipment disinfection, use of personal protection equipment, and psychological support are needed to combat COVID-19 or any such infectious disease outbreak. This technical note will familiarize radiology workers with infectious disease outbreak-response to be adopted to ensure the safety of staff and patients.

Surveillance and outbreak response of hand - foot - mouth disease in Haiphong Children’s Hospital, Vietnam

ABSTRACT Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a public health issue in Haiphong, as it is in Vietnam overall. In 2011, a large outbreak of HFMD in Vietnam resulted in 113,121 children seeking medical attention, of whom 170 died. According to a Vietnam General Department of Preventive Medicine report in 2012, HFMD has the 2nd highest incidence of pediatric disease among 10 common diseases. There were 157,654 cases, of which 45 patients died, ranking 3rd among Vietnamese children’s causes of death. In 2017, HFMD broke out again in Haiphong. Haiphong Children’s Hospital (HCH) is the only hospital in Haiphong to examine and treat HFMD for children. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics of HFMD seen in HCH and review the results of disease control efforts in 2017. A retrospective descriptive study. Clinical data were obtained by reviewing the patients’ case records from January 2017 through December 2017 in HCH. There were 2610 patients admitted to HCH in 2017. Most patients were under 3 years old (94.8%). The disease prevalence increased from April 1st through September 30th. Common symptoms were: fever (99%), mouth ulcers, sore throat (96.4%), rash on hand and foot (64.4%), startle (33.9%). Diagnosis mainly was clinical-grade 2a (79.8%). PCR was performed in 526 patients with grade 2b, 3, 4, and 218 cases (41.4%) were positive with EV71. Most of the cases’ prognosis was excellent, with 99.3% of cases cured and no deaths. Despite stringent measures taken in kindergartens, it is clear that HFMD is currently a public health problem in Vietnam. It is a highly contagious infectious disease, including several potential complications, and results in a number of cases leading to death. The disease is a particular cause of concern, especially when HFMD cases can overload already crowded hospitals. A high degree of vigilance should be maintained over the disease and its consequences.

COVIDECONOMICS: The Evaluation of COVID-19 Economic Effects

COVIDECONOMICS: The Evaluation of COVID-19 Economic Effects