Infectious Disease Epidemics Research Articles

Adapting a Group-Level PrEP Promotion Intervention Trial for Transgender Latinas During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the conduct of community-based and community-engaged research. Prior to the pandemic, our community-based participatory research partnership was testing ChiCAS, an in-person, group-level behavioral intervention designed to promote uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom use, and medically supervised gender-affirming hormone therapy among Spanish-speaking transgender Latinas. However, the pandemic required adaptations to ensure the safe conduct of the ChiCAS intervention trial. In this article, we describe adaptations to the trial within five domains. Transgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV, and it is essential to find ways to continue research designed to support their health within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and future infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. These adaptations offer guidance for ongoing and future community-based and community-engaged research during the COVID-19 pandemic and/or potential subsequent outbreaks (e.g., monkeypox), epidemics, and pandemics, particularly within under-served marginalized and minoritized communities.

Sleep quality and sleep disorders post COVID-19 infection: Review article

Background All elements of everyday life have been seriously and significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 outbreak. Previous research has demonstrated a connection between infectious disease epidemics and sleep disturbances as well as psychological discomfort, such as traumatic stress, melancholy, and anxiety. ObjectivesThe study aimed to summarize current evidences about sleep quality and sleep disorders for patients that had Covid-19 infection MethodsFor article selection, the PubMed database and EBSCO Information Services were used. All articles relevant with our topic and other articles were used in our review. Other articles that were not related to this field were excluded. The data was extracted in a specific format that was reviewed by the group members. Conclusion Our study included 8 studies in total. Patients with recovered COVID-19 showed a statistically significant prevalence of insomnia than control groups. Patients must be advised to follow-up if they have trouble sleeping as a result. Early detection and treatment of people who are experiencing insomnia are crucial to prevent long-term harmful effects as increase in the intensity of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress that were shown to be substantially correlated with poor sleep quality.

Study of the Deep Processes of COVID-19 in Russia: Finding Ways to Identify Preventive Measures.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on all areas of human life. Since the risk of biological threats will persist in the future, it is very important to ensure mobilization readiness for a prompt response to the possible emergence of epidemics of infectious diseases. Therefore, from both a theoretical and practical standpoint, it is currently necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the COVID-19 epidemic. The goal of this research is to investigate the underlying processes that led to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia and to identify ways to improve preventive measures and ensure mobilization readiness for a quick response to potential COVID-19-like pandemics. This research will analyze the daily dynamics of the number of infection cases and the number of new lethal cases of COVID-19. We analyzed the daily number of new cases of COVID-19 infection N(d), the daily number of new lethal cases L(d), their percentage ratio L(d)/N(d) 100% in Russia for 2 years of the pandemic (from the beginning of the pandemic to 23 March 2022), the rate of increase and decrease of these indicators (dN(d)/dd and dL(d)/dd), as well as their spectra created on the basis of wavelet analysis. Wavelet analysis of the deep structure of the N(d) and L(d) wavelet spectra made it possible to identify the presence of internal cycles, the study of which makes it possible to predict the presence of days with the maximum number of infections and new deaths in a pandemic similar to COVID-19 and outline ways and methods for improving preventive measures and measures to ensure mobilization readiness for a rapid response to the potential emergence of pandemics similar to COVID-19.

Strengthening preparedness and response to epidemics in West Africa: a scoping review of strengths, gaps, and challenges (2016-2019)

Introduction: West Africa has seen several epidemics of infectious diseases including the 2014-16 Ebola virus disease epidemic that revealed inadequate national and regional response to epidemics and other health emergencies. We conducted a situational analysis to identify strengths, gaps, and challenges in preparedness and response (P&R) capacities in the West African region.

Capacity assessment of Liberia for health emergencies and disaster preparedness and response

Introduction: West Africa continues to experience recurrent epidemics of infectious diseases and other public health emergencies. Most of which have resulted in deaths, disabilities and loss of property due to the weak public health system including low capacity to respond, a lack of a preparedness. Liberia, one of the three countries hit by the Ebola epidemic has taken several steps to improve its preparedness and response to public health emergencies. We assessed Liberia's status of public health emergencies preparedness and response and to identify gaps which could prevent her from effectively responding according to IHR core capacities.

Success and challenges of health systems resilience-enhancing strategies for managing Public Health Emergencies of International Concerns (PHEIC): A systematic review protocol

IntroductionHealth systems resilience is the ability to prepare, manage and learn from a sudden and unpredictable extreme change that impacts health systems. Health systems globally have recently been affected by...

Interventions to support the mental health and well-being of front-line healthcare workers in hospitals during pandemics: an evidence review and synthesis

ObjectivePandemics negatively impact healthcare workers’ (HCW’s) mental health and well-being causing additional feelings of anxiety, depression, moral distress and post-traumatic stress. A comprehensive review and evidence synthesis of HCW’s mental...

COVID-19 surge readiness: use cases demonstrating how hospitals leveraged digital identity access management for infection control and pandemic response

BackgroundSurging volumes of patients with COVID-19 and the high infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 challenged hospital infection control/safety, staffing, care delivery and operations as few crises have. Imperatives to ensure security of...

Capacity assessment of the Gambiaás emergency preparedness and response system

Introduction: West Africa continues to experience recurrent epidemics of infectious diseases and other public health emergencies. The consequences of their disasters have been worsening of health, increased morbidity and mortality, livelihoods and property posing a threat to global health security. Assessment of levels of preparedness and response enables countries identify the gaps in the system and what needs to be done to fill these gaps and address bottlenecks in the system. Objective: We evaluated The Gambia's mechanisms for preparedness and response to epidemics and health emergencies in the ECOWAS region.

Post‐flood infectious disease prevention and control: Current scenario in Pakistan

Post‐flood infectious disease prevention and control: Current scenario in Pakistan

The Euregional policy impact of COVID 19 on the border region between the Netherlands, North-Rhine Westphalia and Belgium

Abstract During the Coronavirus pandemic, internal European borders were temporarily re-established with the argument to mitigate the outbreak. Also in the border region between the Netherlands, North-Rhine Westphalia and Belgium (EMR). Existing evidence on the effectiveness of border control for infectious disease control (IDC) has been dominated by studies that focused on scenarios within countries with limited attention to border regions. To address this gap, we analysed the experiences of public health professionals working in European border regions. We conducted three studies: 1. seroprevalence and questionnaire study among 10.001 Dutch persons with and without cross border mobility, 2. analyses of incidence data in municipalities in 4 cross border regions to analyse cross border differences, and 3. we conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with public health professionals in the EMR. Participants were asked about their perspectives on border controls and the spread of Covid-19. Four key-results: First, border regions are characterised by dynamic social life and cross-border movements. Incidence was mainly determined by country policy, Second, the impact of border control and closing on local infectious disease epidemics is likely marginal. Third, due to the dynamic social life, border control measures cannot be fully implemented in border regions, and thus their effectiveness is even more questionable. Fourth, border control measures may harm the social fabric of border regions more than they do in in-countries territories. Our study results highlighted the ineffective role of border control measures for regional infectious disease control. Sustainable cross-border collaboration is crucial to ensure effective pandemic management in border regions. The results of our study impacted on policy makers, to be much more reluctant with closing borders.

Key strategies for managing nursing care under the COVID-19 pandemic: A multiple-case study of nursing directors.

We aim to identify measures implemented by hospital nursing directors early in the COVID-19 pandemic and enabling factors. Managerial factors affect nurses' physical and mental health and willingness to work, especially early in a pandemic. We used multiple-case study of 15 hospitals, comparing management approaches by interviewing 28 nursing directors and their assistants from August to December 2020. Hospitals that accepted COVID-19 patients and hospitals that unexpectedly experienced clusters underwent a nursing provision system organization phase, followed by an adjustment phase to maintain nursing organization function. Two factors aided measure implementation: an emergency system and staff protection policies. Early epidemic management strategies apply across contexts. The hospital's basic attitude is key to effective implementation of the strategies. The results suggest that hospitals, nursing directors and nurses can each prepare for future emerging infectious disease epidemics.

Missing science: A scoping study of COVID-19 epidemiological data in the United States.

Systematic approaches to epidemiologic data collection are critical for informing pandemic responses, providing information for the targeting and timing of mitigations, for judging the efficacy and efficiency of alternative response strategies, and for conducting real-world impact assessments. Here, we report on a scoping study to assess the completeness of epidemiological data available for COVID-19 pandemic management in the United States, enumerating authoritative US government estimates of parameters of infectious transmission, infection severity, and disease burden and characterizing the extent and scope of US public health affiliated epidemiological investigations published through November 2021. While we found authoritative estimates for most expected transmission and disease severity parameters, some were lacking, and others had significant uncertainties. Moreover, most transmission parameters were not validated domestically or re-assessed over the course of the pandemic. Publicly available disease surveillance measures did grow appreciably in scope and resolution over time; however, their resolution with regards to specific populations and exposure settings remained limited. We identified 283 published epidemiological reports authored by investigators affiliated with U.S. governmental public health entities. Most reported on descriptive studies. Published analytic studies did not appear to fully respond to knowledge gaps or to provide systematic evidence to support, evaluate or tailor community mitigation strategies. The existence of epidemiological data gaps 18 months after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for more timely standardization of data collection practices and for anticipatory research priorities and protocols for emerging infectious disease epidemics.

Detection of virus-like particles using magnetostrictive vibration energy harvesting

In preparation for new epidemics of infectious diseases caused by viruses, self-powered biosensors based on magnetostrictive materials are attracting attention. This study evaluated the energy harvesting performance of the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever and demonstrated its ability to detect viruses using silica (virus-like) particles. The Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever had an output power of ~0.414 mW (~12.2 mW/cm 3 ). Assuming that all virus-like particles adhered to the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever, it was implied that the Fe-Co/Ni clad plate cantilever could detect a mass of 0.1–1 µg. As a result, the Fe–Co/Ni clad plate cantilever could lead to the development of a self-powered virus sensor. • Fe–Co/Ni clad energy harvester had an output power density of ~12.2 mW/cm 3 . • Fe–Co/Ni clad energy harvester could detect a mass of 0.1–1 µg. • Virus could be detected using mgnetostrictive vibration energy harvesting. • Mgnetostrictive cantilever can enable the development of a self-powered virus sensor.

Lessons Learned from the Ebola Virus Disease and COVID-19 Preparedness to Respond to the Human Monkeypox Virus Outbreak in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the human monkeypox virus disease an international health emergency. In the past decades, infectious disease epidemics have significantly impacted low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) being the most recent. LMICs, particularly in Africa and Asia, responded reasonably well by strengthening health systems, including infection prevention and control strategies, laboratory systems, risk communication, and training of essential healthcare workers for surge capacity in preparation for and response to COVID-19. With the possibility of other epidemics, such as the current epidemic of human Monkeypox, a consolidated global response is required. This article discusses lessons learned from previous Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks and also provides recommendations on how these lessons can be useful to strengthen monkeypox disease outbreak preparedness and response in LMIC.

Anthropological Engagements with Global Health

Epidemic infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Ebola, and more recently COVID-19, have persistent and devastating impacts in human populations across the globe. In this Review essay, we consider together the monographs Epidemic Illusions (Richardson 2021) and Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds (Farmer 2020), as well as the documentary film Bending the Arc (Davidson and Kos 2017), Together, they demonstrate the history of transnational colonialism, the significance of structural violence as a contributor to global health inequity, and the increasing presence of co-occurring epidemics worldwide, topics which are often absent from discussions of global health systems. These three works discuss epidemics as pathologies of history and sociocultural patterns of colonial dispossession in global health systems; the inclusion of patient narratives in two of them, the film Bending the Arc and the book Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds, is pivotal in describing the intricacies of HIV infection and other infectious diseases, as well as the complexity of gaining control of syndemic diseases. Further, these three materials point to the importance of health education in communities and of access to healthcare by community members, and to the roles that health education and access play in health policy implementation.

Global mapping of epidemic risk assessment toolkits: A scoping review for COVID-19 and future epidemics preparedness implications.

Preparedness and responses to infectious disease epidemics and pandemics require the understanding of communities’ and multisectoral systems’ characteristics with regards to diseases transmission and population’s vulnerabilities. This study aimed to summarize measurement profiles of existing risk assessment toolkits to inform COVID-19 control at global and national levels. An online search in different databases and online sources was performed to identify all epidemic risk and vulnerability assessment instruments. Medline/PubMed, Web of Science databases, and websites of public health organizations were used for the searching process. Of 14 toolkits, levels of setting were mostly at the global or nation level. Components such as Governance and Legislation, Financing, Health Service Provision, and Human Resources are key domains in almost all toolkits. Some important issues for disease detection and surveillance, such as laboratory or capacity of the community for disease control, were not adequately addressed in several toolkits. Limited studies were found that validated the toolkits. Only five toolkits were used in COVID-19 studies. This study provides a summary of risk assessment toolkits to inform epidemic responses. We call for global and national efforts in developing more contextualized and responsive epidemic risk assessment scales incorporating specific-disease and -country factors to inform operational decisions making and strengthen countries’ capacities in epidemic responses.

Reflection on contextual factors associated with burden of infectious diseases in multi-country modelling approach on the example of Eastern Europe

Thesis. The use of mathematical models to nowcast and forecast allows to improve predictive understanding of epidemiological targets and indexes among various populations during infectious disease epidemics. Such models enable trend predictions of various scenarios of the pandemic and guiding epidemic prevention and control.
 Concept. In order to avoid the influence of low-quality studies (for a given region) on the interpretation and decision making, a critical analysis based on experience in field epidemiology should be carried out. For the sake of transparency and quality of scientific discourse, such observations should indeed be collected and discussed by the scientific and medical community. Selected global modelling studies have been assessed according to their epidemiological outcomes such as cases and deaths.
 Results and Conclusions: I show that the discrepancy between reported and predicted epidemiological features varies more significantly than the order of magnitude between the countries in selected models. My findings highlight that models’ results; readers should prefer locally developed models over multi-country models, even those being published in prestigious journals. Thus, agent based models should be prioritised against system dynamics or machine learning models. I suggest that future epidemiological models should adopt healthcare access as a factor of so-called dark figure of infections, especially in Eastern Europe.

Using Stochastic SIS Epidemic Model with Markovian Environment for Infectious Diseases

There are various types of stochastic epidemic models that can be formulated to deal with different types of diseases. In this project (SIS) epidemic model Susceptible - Infected- Susceptible will be considered relating to the Continuous Time Markov chains process. Each type of the epidemic models studies the disease according to its status. In particular, the SIS epidemic model regards infectious diseases. The Maple code is provided in this project, which is created to produce and predict the number of infected individuals and the disease prevalence at a fixed time.

Doubling time of infectious diseases

The concept of doubling time has been increasingly used since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but its characteristics are not well understood, especially as applied to infectious disease epidemiology. The present study aims to be a practical guide to monitoring the doubling time of infectious diseases. Via simulation exercise, we clarify the epidemiological characteristics of doubling time, allowing possible interpretations. We show that the commonly believed relationship between the doubling time and intrinsic growth rate in population ecology does not strictly apply to infectious diseases, and derive the correct relationship between the two. We examined the impact of varying (i) the growth rate, (ii) the starting point of counting cumulative number of cases, and (iii) the length of observation on statistical estimation of doubling time. It was difficult to recover values of growth rate from doubling time, especially when the growth rate was small. Starting time period is critical when the statistical estimation of doubling time occurs during the course of an epidemic. The length of observation was critical in determining the overall magnitude of doubling time, and when only the latest 1–2 weeks’ data were used, the resulting doubling time was very short, regardless of the intrinsic growth rate r. We suggest that doubling time estimates of infectious disease epidemics should at a minimum be accompanied by descriptions of (i) the starting time at which the cumulative count is initiated and (ii) the length of observation.