Utilization of the Public Health Ordinance to prevent nosocomial spread in a case of acute measles-associated psychosis

Measles is a highly contagious disease. A 24 years old patient, recently exposed to measles (unvaccinated), presented in the emergency department with severe agitation, compatible with an acute psychotic episode, during the measles epidemic which spread in Israel in 2018–2019. Upon hospital admission, strict isolation was instructed, yet, without compliance, probably due to the patient’s status. Measles diagnosis was promptly confirmed. As measles transmission was eminent, public health measures were employed through immediate implementation of the section 15 of the Public Health Ordinance, allowing for compulsory short-term isolation. The patient’s condition improved within a few days and the measures were no longer necessary. This measles case occurred in the pre-Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic when use of a Public Health Ordinance was considered an extreme measure. This is in contrast to the current global use of Public Health laws to enforce strict quarantine and isolation on persons infected or potentially exposed to COVID-19. Nevertheless, minimizing infectious diseases transmission is a core function of public health law. Utilizing legal enforcement in circumstances of immediate public health hazard, such as nosocomial measles transmission, necessitates careful consideration. The integrative clinical and public health approach and prompt measures employed in this exceptional case, led to prevention of further infection spread.

Agent Adaptation in an Urban Coastal Scenario: Applying the VIABLE Framework

<p>An agent-based model (the VIABLE framework) of a coastal city is represented in Netlogo, describing adaptive dynamic agent behavior in a changing system. Rising sea levels and subsequent extreme sea level events incur damages to the city which an “urban planner” agent can mitigate through two adaptation pathways: developing coastal defenses, or as a more extreme measure, relocating vulnerable areas inland. Capital generated by the city can be directed as investments towards these pathways, with the remainder being consumed. The agent’s control variables are thus the amount of capital invested, and the ratio of investments allocated to the two pathways. As the simulation progresses and the system changes with rising sea levels, the agent alters these control variables to optimize its value, resulting in dynamic reactive behavior. Additionally, sea level rise is implemented in various modes, along with extreme sea level events that cause severe short-term damages.</p>

Schools Closures during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Catastrophic Global Situation

School closures (SC) were adopted globally as a COVID-19 disease pandemic containment strategy. This extreme measure provoked a disruption of the educational system involving hundreds of million children worldwide. The return of children to school has been variable and is still an unresolved and contentious issue. Importantly the process has not been directly correlated to the severity of the pandemic s impact and has fueled the widening of disparities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations. Available evidence shows SC added little benefit to COVID-19 control whereas the harms related to SC severely affected children and adolescents. This unresolved issue has put children and young people at high risk of social, economic and health-related harm for years to come, triggering severe consequences during their lifespan. In this article we describe the process of SC and the reopening timetable across the globe. We highlight the data regarding the international state of educational systems around the world, putting emphasis on the rights of children to come back to school.

Schools Closures during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Catastrophic Global Situation

School closures (SC) were adopted globally as a COVID-19 disease pandemic containment strategy. This extreme measure provoked a disruption of the educational system involving hundreds of million children worldwide. The return of children to school has been variable and is still an unresolved and contentious issue. Importantly the process has not been directly correlated to the severity of the pandemic s impact and has fueled the widening of disparities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations. Available evidence shows SC added little benefit to COVID-19 control whereas the harms related to SC severely affected children and adolescents. This unresolved issue has put children and young people at high risk of social, economic and health-related harm for years to come, triggering severe consequences during their lifespan. In this article we describe the process of SC and the reopening timetable across the globe. We highlight the data regarding the international state of educational systems around the world, putting emphasis on the rights of children to come back to school.

Adaptation of the National Plan for the Prevention and Fight Against Pandemic Influenza to the 2020 COVID-19 Epidemic in France

ABSTRACT On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at noon, France became the third European country to impose a nationwide containment policy in the fight against epidemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) viral infection. Announcing that the country was at “war,” President Macron called upon all to play a role in mitigating against further development of contagion. This extreme measure never seen before during peace time was the result of adapting not only the French Pandemic Influenza Plan (PIP) being applied to the national context but also real-time clinical, epidemiological, and scientific information about the evolution of COVID-19 infection in the country. The situation was further complicated by local municipal elections and political agendas by populist opinions. Despite mass communication about the importance of individual behavioral attitudes to counter disease propagation, few heeded government advice. Consequently, the situation rapidly deteriorated with increasing number of cases that started to overwhelm health services. As a result, decisive and immediate action was taken by the State for the national public health interest. This report from the field details the timely events that contributed to this extreme policy decision taken by France. A policy decision that other Western democracies have since applied as the pandemic disseminated across the globe.

Systematic analysis of research on D-mannose and the prospects for its use in recurrent infections of the urinary tract in women of reproductive age

Cystitis and other urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women of reproductive age can lead to infertility, significantly complicate the course of pregnancy, and cause numerous fetal abnormalities. Antibiotic therapy during pregnancy is an extreme measure since it is associated with a high risk of fetal malformations. The use of D-mannose is an effective and safe treatment for cystitis and other UTIs, especially during pregnancy. The present systematic analysis of 32111 studies indicates a significance of D-mannose for glycosylation of human proteins and for functioning of the immune, cardiovascular, urinary and other systems. By blocking the interaction between bacterial fimbriae and the endothelium, D-mannose prevents the adsorption of bacteria (uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella, leishmania, mycobacteria, etc.) to the tissue surface, thus helping prevent recurrent UTIs. Clinical studies have confirmed both high efficacy and safety of using D-mannose and the synergistic substances (such as cranberry anthocyanins) for the treatment of cystitis and other UTIs.