On October 26th, 2010, the Literature Review Subcommittee hosted its bi-monthly Literature Review, along with a special presentation by scientist Jeffrey Shaman of the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University. Shaman discussed his groundbreaking work investigating the role of absolute humidity on influenza transmission dynamic, including his recent paper, "Absolute Humidity and the Seasonal Onset of Influenza in the Continental United States," published in PLoS Biology.
Infectious Disease
Edward Goldstein, PhD, Harvard School of Public Health, Senior Research Scientist, Department of Epidemiology discusses his paper "Predicting the Epidemic Sizes of Influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B: A Statistical Method." Published in PLoS Med. 2011 Jul;8(7): e1001051.
Presenter
Edward Goldstein, PhD, Harvard School of Public Health
Date and Time
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Host
ISDS Research Committee
Krista Kniss and Scott Epperson, from the CDC Influenza Division, will be joining the ISDS Public Health Practice Committee this coming Monday, October 22, for a two-part discussion of influenza surveillance in the United States and abroad. The first presentation by Krista Kniss will discuss the differences between the U.S. influenza surveillance system and how influenza surveillance is conducted in other countries, specifically those with few resources. The second presentation by Scott Epperson will discuss the evolution and current status of influenza A viruses both in humans and swine.
Description
The 2014 outbreak of EVD is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since 1976 affecting several countries in West Africa. The mental health and psychosocial implications of the 2014 Ebola outbreak are serious and multifaceted, impacting survivors, families, communities, healthcare providers, and the public health response. In addition, psychosocial support is a key priority to the Ebola response. CDC’s Ebola Mental Health Team (EMHT) was activated in September 2014. This study has been conducted to support the CDC’s EMHT tasks.
Objective
To present the summary results of a literature review pertinent to mental health and psychosocial aspects of Ebola virus disease (EVD).
Description
Characterizing mentions found in clinical texts that support, refute, or represent uncertainty for suspected pneumonia is one area where automated Natural Language Processing (NLP) screening algorithms could be improved. Mentions of uncertainty and negation commonly occur in clinical texts, and opportunities exist to extend existing algorithms [1] and taxonomies [2]. In general there are three main sources of uncertainty found in healthcare: 1) probability or risk; 2) ambiguity – lack of reliability, credibility or adequacy of the information; and, 3) complexity – aspects of the phenomenon that make it difficult to comprehend [3].
Objective
We sought to identify relevant evidence that supports, refutes or contributes uncertainty when reviewing cases of suspected pneumonia and characterize their interaction with uncertainty phenomena found in clinical texts.
Description
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the epidemic situation on poliomyelitis in the world is not good. Ukraine is on the list of countries certified by WHO as the territory free of polio, and previously, population coverage with scheduled vaccination against polio was 95%.
Description
H7N9 virus emerged in Eastern China in March 2013, which led to >550 human cases and >200 deaths in 2 years. Live poultry markets (LPMs) are considered as a major source of human H7N9 infections. In late 2013, the virus had spread to the southern provinces including Guangdong. Its provincial capital Guangzhou, detected its first local H7N9 human case in mid-January 2014 and reaching 10 cases in a month. As a response, Guangzhou government announced a two-week city-wide market closure, banning trading and storing of live poultry. Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention took this opportunity to establish enhanced surveillance on top of the existing routine LPM surveillance, to assess the impact of such on H7N9 viral isolation and survival.
Objective
This study assessed the effect of disinfection and closing live poultry markets in China on avian influenza A(H7N9) virus detection and viability in a natural setting. We characterized virus detection at different sampling sites to assess exposure risk to the general public and live poultry traders.
Description
Effective infectious disease public health surveillance systems are often lacking in resource poor settings. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) put forword recommnded standards for public health surveillence.[1] Following the recommendations, the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) in 1998 proposed the Integrated Dieases Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy for the prompt detection and response to key communicable diseases in the African region.[2,3] In 2003, Cameroon adopted the IDSR-strategy to fortify surveillance in the country. We describe cholera surveillance within IDSR-strategy, and assess whether its goal of data analysis and rapid response at the district level have been met.
Objective
To describe cholera public health surveillance systems in Cameroon within its hierarchical health system
Description
CHIKV is transmitted by mosquitoes and often occurs in large outbreaks with high attack rates. Common symptoms (which can be severe and disabling) include fever, joint pain/swelling, headache, muscle pain and rash. In December 2013, the World Health Organization reported local CHIKV transmission in the Caribbean. In July 2014, the first locally-acquired case in the continental U.S. (Florida) and increasing cases in Puerto Rico (PR) were reported. Due to the growing outbreak, VA Office of Public Health began conducting ongoing surveillance.
Objective
We describe challenges and lessons learned conducting surveillance for Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an emerging infectious disease in the Americas.
Description
In India the range and burden of infectious diseases is enormous. To address this burden effectively, an estimate of the burden of infectious diseases is essential. The present study aims to analyze data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (ISDP) to estimate the rates of selected infectious diseases in the state of Maharashtra in comparison to the rest of India.
Objective
The present study aims to analyze data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (ISDP) to estimate the rates of selected infectious diseases in the state of Maharashtra in comparison to the rest of India.