scholarly journals Striking Decrease of Enteroviral Meningitis in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Stoffel ◽  
Philipp K A Agyeman ◽  
Kristina Keitel ◽  
Maria Teresa Barbani ◽  
Andrea Duppenthaler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Unintended Effect ◽  
Enteroviral Meningitis ◽  
Meningitis In Children ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Abstract We report the unprecedented complete absence of pediatric enteroviral meningitis in 2020 in the area of Bern, Switzerland. Presumably an unintended effect of COVID-19 public health measures, this finding highlights the potential of community-wide non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) for controlling the circulation of a major pediatric pathogen, which is mainly transmitted by the fecal-oral route.

Estimating the Impact of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions Against COVID-19 on Mumps Incidence in Sichuan, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqiang Zhang ◽  
Rongsheng Luan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
Sarima Model ◽  
Potential Reduction ◽  
Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Virus Incidence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Abstract Background: A series of social and public health measures have been implemented to contain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. We examined the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 on mumps incidence as an agent to determine the potential reduction in other respiratory virus incidence.Methods: We modelled mumps incidence per month in Sichuan using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model, based on the reported number of mumps cases per month from 2017-2020. Results: The epidemic peak of mumps in 2020 is lower than in the preceding years. Whenever compared with the projected cases or the average from corresponding periods in the preceding years (2017-2019), the reported cases in 2020 markedly declined (P<0.001). From January to December, the number of mumps cases was estimated to decrease by 36.3% (33.9% - 38.8%), 34.3% (31.1% - 37.8%), 68.9% (66.1% - 71.6%), 76.0% (73.9% - 77.9%), 67.0% (65.0% - 69.0%), 59.6% (57.6% - 61.6%), 61.1% (58.8% - 63.3%), 49.2% (46.4% - 52.1%), 24.4% (22.1% - 26.8%), 30.0% (27.5% - 32.6%), 42.1% (39.6% - 44.7%), 63.5% (61.2% - 65.8%), respectively. The total number of mumps cases in 2020 was estimated to decrease by 53.6% (52.9% - 54.3%).Conclusion: Our study shows that non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 have had an effective impact on mumps incidence in Sichuan, China.

scholarly journals Trust in social non-pharmaceutical interventions and travel intention during a pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 135676672110095
Author(s):  
Jin Young Chung ◽  
Choong-Ki Lee ◽  
Yae-Na Park
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Willingness To Accept ◽  
Travel And Tourism ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) become increasingly one of the most significant practices for preventing the spread of a pandemic through the movement of people (e.g., travel and tourism). Past studies argued that individuals’ acceptance of NPIs is adaptive behavior, which increases travel intention during a pandemic. Yet, firm beliefs about the extent to which others accept NPIs are as important as personal willingness to accept NPIs, due to the social and environmental components of public health measures against infectious disease. Thus, this study examined how one’s trust in social NPIs is related to travel intention during a pandemic. Data were collected in South Korea, one of the few countries where no measures to limit human mobility were taken after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Results showed that the trust in social NPIs meditates the relationship between the efforts to navigate travel constraints and intentions to travel during the pandemic.

scholarly journals Estimating the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 on mumps incidence in Sichuan, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqiang Zhang ◽  
Rongsheng Luan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
Arima Model ◽  
Potential Reduction ◽  
Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Virus Incidence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Abstract Background A series of social and public health measures have been implemented to contain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. We examined the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 on mumps incidence as an agent to determine the potential reduction in other respiratory virus incidence. Methods We modelled mumps incidence per month in Sichuan using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, based on the reported number of mumps cases per month from 2017 to 2020. Results The epidemic peak of mumps in 2020 is lower than in the preceding years. Whenever compared with the projected cases or the average from corresponding periods in the preceding years (2017–2019), the reported cases in 2020 markedly declined (P < 0.001). From January to December, the number of mumps cases was estimated to decrease by 36.3% (33.9–38.8%), 34.3% (31.1–37.8%), 68.9% (66.1–71.6%), 76.0% (73.9–77.9%), 67.0% (65.0–69.0%), 59.6% (57.6–61.6%), 61.1% (58.8–63.3%), 49.2% (46.4–52.1%), 24.4% (22.1–26.8%), 30.0% (27.5–32.6%), 42.1% (39.6–44.7%), 63.5% (61.2–65.8%), respectively. The total number of mumps cases in 2020 was estimated to decrease by 53.6% (52.9–54.3%). Conclusion Our study shows that non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 have had an effective impact on mumps incidence in Sichuan, China.

scholarly journals Mandatory public health measures for COVID-19 are associated with improved mortality, equity and economic outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brita E. Lundberg ◽  
Kathyrn McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Economic Benefit ◽  
Current Analysis ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Voluntary Approach ◽  
The Us ◽  
Lower Population ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

AbstractWe review approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic in a systematic way by comparing countries/states representative of the mandatory vs. voluntary approach to non-pharmaceutical interventions in Europe and the US. We use a comparative tabular format to examine differences in mortality, economic impact and equity between regions with mandatory versus voluntary policies. Mandatory shelter-in-place policies were associated with 3 to 4 fold lower population adjusted mortality in the US model and 11 fold lower in the European one. We conclude that voluntary policies are less effective, based on historical precedent and the current analysis. Moreover, effects on health equity mirrored the increased mortality outcomes of voluntary policies and there was no apparent economic benefit associated with voluntary measures.

scholarly journals Social, ethical and behavioural aspects of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wirichada Pan-ngum ◽  
Tassawan Poomchaichote ◽  
Giulia Cuman ◽  
Phee-Kheng Cheah ◽  
Naomi Waithira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Behavioural Aspects ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Introduction: Vaccines and drugs for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 require robust evidence generated from clinical trials before they can be used. Decisions on how to apply non-pharmaceutical interventions such as quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing and travel restrictions should also be based on evidence. There are some experiential and mathematical modelling data for these interventions, but there is a lack of data on the social, ethical and behavioural aspects of these interventions in the literature. Therefore, our study aims to produce evidence to inform (non-pharmaceutical) interventions such as communications, quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, travel restrictions and other public health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study will be conducted in the United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia, Slovenia and Thailand. We propose to conduct 600-1000 quantitative surveys and 25-35 qualitative interviews per country. Data collection will follow the following four themes: (1) Quarantine and self-isolation (2) social distancing and travel restrictions (3) wellbeing and mental health (4) information, misinformation and rumours. In light of limitations of travel and holding in-person meetings, we will primarily use online/remote methods for collecting data. Study participants will be adults who have provided informed consent from different demographic, socio-economic and risk groups. Discussion: At the time of the inception of the study, United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia, Slovenia and Thailand have initiated strict public health measures and varying degrees of “lockdowns” to curb the pandemic. These public health measures will change in the coming weeks and months depending on the number of cases of COVID-19 in the respective countries. The data generated from our study could inform these strategies in real time.

scholarly journals An economic evaluation of Influenza and COVID -19 pandemic prevention and control interventions: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanuel Yigezu ◽  
Mezgebu Yitayal ◽  
Alemnesh Mirkuzie ◽  
Zekarias Getu ◽  
Alemayehu Hailu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Case Fatality Ratio ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
And Control ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Abstract Background: COVID-19 causes more 1.3 million deaths globally in just nine months. Influenza is a virus with respiratory symptoms, fever, and systemic symptoms very similar to COVID 19. Various public health measures have been taken by governments and health authorities to prevent and control the pandemics. This study aimed to review the economic evaluation of public health measures against COVID-19 and influenza pandemics.Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify full economic evaluation studies on Influenza and COVID-19 pandemic published from 1998-2020. We built an exhaustive database search strategy. The search was done in Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE databases, and grey literature. We extracted data from selected studies using a structured data collection form after conducting a risk of bias assessment. Narrative summary tables were used to present the result and characteristics of eligible studies. Furthermore, we converted findings of studies that reported their outcome in costs per case averted and death averted into costs per life-year gained. All cost and Cost-effectiveness ratios were converted to 2019 US dollars using the exchange rate and GDP deflator. The study was registered in PROSPERO with registration No. CRD42020192384.Results: The review revealed that most of the studies were conducted in high-income countries, and only few of the studies were on non-pharmaceutical interventions. Stockpiling drugs for the treatment of sick patients was found cost-effective in most of the studies. Treatment with antiviral drugs and vaccination were found very cost-effective. The addition of school closure to other interventions was considered cost-effective only for a pandemic with a high case fatality ratio. Almost all interventions were sensitive to the infectivity and severity of the pandemic. Most of the studies were also cost-effective from the societal perspective indicating a higher net societal benefit from the pandemic prevention and control strategies.Conclusion: In conclusion, most of the interventions were cost-effective under various scenarios while school closure was cost-effective under a 'high case-fatality 'ratio' scenario only. Furthermore, the level of the pandemic's infectivity and severity were the key drivers of the cost-effectiveness of both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions.

scholarly journals Social, ethical and behavioural aspects of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Wirichada Pan-ngum ◽  
Tassawan Poomchaichote ◽  
Giulia Cuman ◽  
Phee-Kheng Cheah ◽  
Naomi Waithira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Study Participant ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Behavioural Aspects ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Introduction: Vaccines and drugs for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 require robust evidence generated from clinical trials before they can be used. Decisions on how to apply non-pharmaceutical interventions such as quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing and travel restrictions should also be based on evidence. There are some experiential and mathematical modelling data for these interventions, but there is a lack of data on the social, ethical and behavioural aspects of these interventions in the literature. Therefore, our study aims to produce evidence to inform (non-pharmaceutical) interventions such as communications, quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, travel restrictions and other public health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study will be conducted in the United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia and Thailand. We propose to conduct 600-1000 quantitative surveys and 25-35 qualitative interviews per country. Data collection will follow the following four themes: (1) Quarantine and self-isolation (2) social distancing and travel restrictions (3) wellbeing and mental health (4) information, misinformation and rumours. In light of limitations of travel and holding in-person meetings, we will use online/remote methods for collecting data. Study participant will be adults who have provided informed consent from different demographic, socio-economic and risk groups. Discussion: At the time of writing, United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia and Thailand have initiated strict public health measures and varying degrees of “lockdowns” to curb the pandemic. It is anticipated that these public health measures will continue in some countries (e.g. Italy, Malaysia) or be tightened further in other countries (e.g. Thailand, UK) to control the spread of the disease in the coming weeks and months. The data generated from our study could inform these strategies in real time.

Pandemic Disease, Public Health, and Ethics

2019 ◽  
pp. 796-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxwell Smith ◽  
Ross Upshur
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Ethical Frameworks ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Face ◽  
Conducting Research

Infectious disease pandemics raise significant and novel ethical challenges to the organization and practice of public health. This chapter provides an overview of the salient ethical issues involved in preparing for and responding to pandemic disease, including those arising from deploying restrictive public health measures to contain and curb the spread of disease (e.g., isolation and quarantine), setting priorities for the allocation of scarce resources, health care workers’ duty to care in the face of heightened risk of infection, conducting research during pandemics, and the global governance of preventing and responding to pandemic disease. It also outlines ethical guidance from prominent ethical frameworks that have been developed to address these ethical issues and concludes by discussing some pressing challenges that must be addressed if ethical reflection is to make a meaningful difference in pandemic preparedness and response.

Communicable and Other Infectious Diseases

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Frischhut
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
European Union ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Eu Law ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Environment Agency ◽  
And Control

This chapter discusses the most important features of EU law on infectious diseases. Communicable diseases not only cross borders, they also often require measures that cross different areas of policy because of different vectors for disease transmission. The relevant EU law cannot be attributed to one sectoral policy only, and thus various EU agencies participate in protecting public health. The key agency is the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Other important agencies include the European Environment Agency; European Food Safety Authority; and the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency. However, while integration at the EU level has facilitated protection of the public's health, it also has created potential conflicts among the different objectives of the European Union. The internal market promotes the free movement of products, but public health measures can require restrictions of trade. Other conflicts can arise if protective public health measures conflict with individual human rights. The chapter then considers risk assessment and the different tools of risk management used in dealing with the challenges of infectious diseases. It also turns to the external and ethical perspective and the role the European Union takes in global health.

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