Effect of a complex system for controlling influenza on a city scale on population mortality

A decrease in mortality among the population, and primarily in mortality caused by the diseases of the respiratory tract, has been achieved in one of the northern cities of the USSR owing to a complex of prophylactic and antiepidemic measures, including the use of live inactivated vaccines, remantadin and other anti-influenza remedies, carried out on a city scale. This fact indicates that such measures have proved to be necessary and effective.     

Clinico-epidemiological characteristics of Q fever in the Carpathian region

The study of the specific epidemiological and clinical features of Q fever revealed the existence of an active focus of infection among humans due to their contacts with agricultural animals in one of the districts of the region. The focus was manifested by group morbidity among the cattle-tending personnel of a dairy farm. The source of this infection was cattle. The infection was transferred mainly through the air. The disease took a moderately severe course. The study of the rickettsial contamination of humans, animals and ticks suggested the presence of the active epidemic process and made it possible to work out concrete antiepidemic measures.     

Epizootic and epidemiological situation with the avian flu in Dovolensk and Kupinsk areas of Novosibirsk region and the preventive measures

Results of the analysis registered avian flu epizootia are submitted. Diseases were registered as among wild birds, and poultry. From a biological material from a poultry and wild bird of some villages of Novosibirsk region the influenza virus type A (H5N1) is allocated. Carrying out sanitary and antiepidemic measures is organized. It is established, that disease and a mass destruction of poultry have taken place after contact to a wild bird on lakes. It is revealed, that the degree of distribution of a mass destruction of poultry on farmsteads in the struck territories depends on terms of carrying out of necessary measures on localization of the foci. Occurrence of new cases of disease among wild birds and poultry in 2006 as lakes in this territory are a place of nesting of the wild birds being the reservoir of the influenza virus is predicted.     

Prognosis of the dynamics and intensity of the epidemic process in viral hepatitis A

The article deals with approaches to the calculation of the annual morbidity rate in virus hepatitis A at the period preceding the season of maximum morbidity, necessary for planning the relevant prophylactic and antiepidemic measures in due time. The method for calculating the monthly levels of sporadic morbidity in virus hepatitis A is proposed. This method permits the detection of complications on the epidemic situation, which is necessary for the timely organization of antiepidemic measures. The proposed method for predicting annual and monthly morbidity levels can be used in the practical work of specialists at sanitary and epidemic stations.     

Infectious diseases in natural reservoirs: epidemic situation and morbidity in the Russian Federation and prophylactic measures

The analysis of morbidity in infections with natural foci in Russia for the period of 1999-2000 indicates that a rise in the number of cases of hemorrhagic fever with the renal syndrome, tick-borne encephalitis, Crimean hemorrhagic fever and West Nile fever with a high proportion of urban population among the patients is registered annually. An increase in the epizootic activity of the natural foci of plague is noted in the absence of morbidity among humans. The appearance of the outbreaks of tularemia is linked nor only with the increased activity of the natural foci, but also with the reduced coverage of the population with prophylactic immunization in endemic regions. This analysis infers that morbidity prognosis in infections with natural foci for 2001 remains unfavorable. The growth of morbidity in these infections is mainly due to the reduction of measures for controlling their vectors both is open nature and in settlements, as well as to low coverage with prophylactic immunization. Urgent complex measures which may ensure effective antiepidemic and prophylactic work for controlling infections with natural foci are presented.     

Epizootia of the avian flu among the wild waterfowl in Sargatsk of Omsk region in 2005

The epidemiological characteristic of avian flu among a wild waterfowl in Sargatsk region in 2005 is presented. The analysis of the climate-geographical characteristic of region and the data on migration and specific structure of a wild waterfowl, and also results of investigation of the facts of its destruction are submitted. Laboratory research with the PCR help has confirmed presence of influenza virus A (H5N1) at a wild birds. As a result of carried out in the period of epizootia in full preventive and antiepidemic measures, including quarantine contacts resulted in absence between a wild birds and poultry, with out of raid to the maintenance of poultry on farm-steads, etc., the mass destruction of poultry was absent. It is marked, that with a view of maintenance of epidemiological well-being in region high readiness for actions in conditions of an extreme situation, and also vaccination of the population should be kept.     

Epidemiologic effectiveness of mass revaccination against measles

The data on the epidemiological effectiveness of the mass booster immunization of students of high schools, as well as professional and technical schools, against measles are presented. Booster immunization is considered to be a highly effective antiepidemic measure aimed at decreasing morbidity rate in measles.     

Using telehealth to increase participation in weight maintenance programs

Objective: To compare weight regain, satisfaction, and convenience among three weight maintenance programs: telehealth, traditional classes, and no program. Research Methods and Procedures: This quasi‐experimental study compared weight change, satisfaction, and convenience among three program types. The telehealth participants interacted with a registered dietitian (RD) through the web and e‐mail, traditional program participants attended a traditional classroom program, and no program participants received no interaction. Eighty‐seven subjects (14 men and 73 women) were enrolled in the study: 31 traditional, 31 telehealth, and 25 no program participants. Eligibility included participation in a community‐based weight loss program (Colorado Weigh) and minimum 7% weight loss before enrollment. Results: Subject characteristics at baseline were as follows: age, 50 ± 9.3 (standard deviation) years; height, 1.68 ± 0.09 m; weight, 80.5 ± 18.4 kg, with no significant differences between groups. Over 6 months, the traditional group lost 0.5 ± 4.3 kg, the telehealth group lost 0.6 ± 2.5 kg, and the no program group gained 1.7 ± 3.0 kg. Weight change among all three groups was significant (p = 0.02); no program participants gained significantly more weight than the telehealth and traditional groups. There were no differences in overall satisfaction between the telehealth and traditional groups (p = 0.43), but individuals in the telehealth group rated their program as more convenient compared with the traditional group (p = 0.0001). Discussion: These results show the usefulness of telehealth programs in long‐term weight loss maintenance. They may be a useful alternative for those who successfully lose weight in a structured behavioral program but do not choose to participate in a formal behavioral weight loss maintenance program.     

Surveillance measures at joint-stock company "Poultry Farm Lubinskaya" during the period of avian flu epizootia in Omsk region

The organization of sanitary-and-epidemiologic supervision of an integrated poultry farm during epizootia of avian flu is devoted. The unsuccessful situation demands acceptance of additional measures which provided performance antiepizootic, preventive and antiepidemic measures with a view of restriction and distribution of an infection on poultry-farming enterprise. The disinfection barriers of several levels are established. Are organized a sanitary filtrates for the personnel and regular medical supervision over workers of the enterprise and their families. It is carried out the serological control over presence of specific antibodies to a virus of influenza virus among the workers contacting to a bird. Monitoring research of tests of blood of birds on antibodies to the influenza virus was carried out since August, 2005.     

Model of the spreading dynamics of a hospital infection

The article deals with the epidemiological model and the corresponding mathematical model of the spread of hospital infection. The mathematical apparatus of Markov's heterogeneous chain is used. The model may be used for the analysis and planning of antiepidemic measures, as well as for the evaluation of their effectiveness. The conditions for the possibility of the application of the newly developed mathematical model have been formulated. The method for calculating the parameters of the model on the basis of data on morbidity in different forms of hospital infection is presented. An example of using the above model for the analysis of the data of observation is considered in detail.     

Patterns in the change in the number of carriers and epizootic activity in a floodplain local natural focus of tularemia in Voronezh Province]

Prolonged study of the population of Arvicola terrestris L. in connection with tularemia epizootic among these animals showed this animal to serve as the principal carrier of tularemia infection in the Povorinsk natural focus. Epizootics proved to originate with a definite threshold count of Arvicola terrestris L.; this threshold constituted about 30% of the trapped animals. Dynamics of the epizootic activity was characterized by alterations of cycles of various duration, coursing by waves, with 2--3-year periods. Reduction of the epizootic intensity coursed during a decade in 2 waves with 3-year periods, and during a 7-year period--in one 3-year wave. During the epizootics with the character of a 2-year wave the population of the principal carrier diminished, and with a 3-year wave the count of Arvicola terrestris L. decreased during the first year, and began to increase during the second year, despite the persistence of the epizootic. Detection of regularities attending the changes in the population of the principal carrier of the infection and its connection with the epizootics permitted to make long-period prognoses of the epizootic activity and to plan antiepidemic measures in the focus.     

Gender Gap in the ERASMUS Mobility Program

Studying abroad has become very popular among students. The ERASMUS mobility program is one of the largest international student exchange programs in the world, which has supported already more than three million participants since 1987. We analyzed the mobility pattern within this program in 2011-12 and found a gender gap across countries and subject areas. Namely, for almost all participating countries, female students are over-represented in the ERASMUS program when compared to the entire population of tertiary students. The same tendency is observed across different subject areas. We also found a gender asymmetry in the geographical distribution of hosting institutions, with a bias of male students in Scandinavian countries. However, a detailed analysis reveals that this latter asymmetry is rather driven by subject and consistent with the distribution of gender ratios among subject areas.     

Organizational provision for the sanitary and epidemiological safety of the population in the regions of the Stavropol Territory affected by the flood

Materials on the organizational provision and financing of measures taken with a view to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological safety in the Stavropol Territory in connection with the high flood of 2002 are presented. Due to the joint efforts of sanitary, antiepidemic and medico-prophylactic services of the Territory, administrative organs and institutions, as well as other relevant departments, not only high quality restoration works were carried out and completed in a short time, medical assistance was given to the victims and the appearance of mass infectious diseases prevented, but also the growth social tensions in the affected areas was averted.     

Formation of the dysentery epidemic process in three small towns]

Data are presented concerning the epidemiological analysis of Sonnei dysentery outbreaks in three towns connected by common nutrition and water supply. The epidemic processes in these populated localites were strongly interrelated. Possibilities of the effect of the water factor on the extent of Sonnei dysentery incidence were studied as well. The results of studies led to the conclusion on the presence of numerous action forms of the water factor which should be taken into consideration in carrying out prophylactic and antiepidemic measures in Sonnei dysentery.     

A method for assessing the efficacy of using bifidumbacterin for the prevention of suppurative-inflammatory diseases in the newborn

A method has been developed for the evaluation of the effectiveness of bifidumbacterin in different quantitative morbidity characteristics in purulent inflammatory diseases of newborns in risk groups. This method requires a limited number of observations. In purulent inflammatory infections bifidumbacterin can be used as an effective remedy for the prophylaxis of hospital infections. The proposed method may be used for the analysis of the effectiveness of other antiepidemic measures, e.g. the sanitation of carriers.     

Epidemiological characteristics and the importance of carriers of the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg)

The occurrence of HBsAg carriership in Leningrad has been found to be 1.4% according to the results of countercurrent immunoelectroosmophoresis (CIEO) and 2.1% according to the results of the passive hemagglutination (PHA) test. In children HBsAg occurs with higher frequency: 1.9% according to the results of CIEO and 3.4% according to the results of the PHA test. The latter test reveals HBsAg carriers more completely, especially in women who have usually less pronounced antigenemia than men. Most of chronic HBsAg carriers are patients with chronic forms of hepatitis B (chronic active hepatitis and chronic persistent hepatitis); frequently they become the source of infection among their relatives under the conditions of family contacts. A complex of antiepidemic measures is necessary in the foci of chronic HBsAg carriership.     

Basic activity of the Railroad Center of the State Sanitary and Epidemiologic Surveillance at the Vladikavkaz train station of the North Caucasus Railroad in the prevention of infectious diseases in an emergency situation

The article deals with the data on the activity of the Railroad (RR) Center of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance at the train station of Vladikavkaz of the North Caucasian RR at the period of the liquidation of the consequences of the natural calamity in June-July 2002. In accordance with the situation, the scheme of the interaction with the territorial services and departments were worked out, the operative plans of antiepidemic measures were rectified, the sanitary, hygienic and bacteriological control on the quality of drinking water supply and foodstuffs on RR trains and stations was strengthened, the work on sanitary education among the personnel and passengers in the zone of responsibility of the RR Center of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of the North Caucasian RR was activated.     

Organization of sanitary and epidemiological measures to protect the Omsk region involved in epizootia of avian flu

In article organizational aspects of carrying out preventive and antiepidemic actions at a regional level are considered at the bird's flu epizootia. Epizootic researches have shown, that infection of poultry has taken place as a result of contact to a wild bird. Serological inspection 521 persons on presence of antibodies to a influenza A (H5N1) has not revealed seropositive persons. The conclusion, that the forecast of development of a situation for spring of 2006 is made in view of a direction of migration of a wild waterfowl is unfavourable.     

Current state of problem of improving tools for plague vaccine prophylaxis

Literature data on main immunobiological characteristics of 1st generation plague vaccines as well as ways of development of new tools for specific prophylaxis of plague: recombinant live, chemical, antiidiotypic, and DNA vaccines are presented in the review. Their expected advantages and disadvantages, perspectives of development and practical use in system of antiepidemic measures are assessed.     

The Effect of a Bidirectional Exchange on Faculty and Institutional Development in a Global Health Collaboration

Purpose

The MUYU Collaboration is a partnership between Mulago Hospital-Makerere University College of Health Sciences (M-MakCHS), in Kampala, Uganda, and the Yale University School of Medicine. The program allows Ugandan junior faculty to receive up to 1 year of subspecialty training within the Yale hospital system. The authors performed a qualitative study to assess the effects of this program on participants, as well as on M-MakCHS as an institution.

Methods

Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with exchange participants. Eight participants (67% of those eligible as of 4/2012) completed interviews. Study authors performed data analysis using standard qualitative data analysis techniques.

Results

Analysis revealed themes addressing the benefits, difficulties, and opportunities for improvement of the program. Interviewees described the main benefit of the program as its effect on their fund of knowledge. Participants also described positive effects on their clinical practice and on medical education at M-MakCHS. Most respondents cited financial issues as the primary difficulty of participation. Post-participation difficulties included resource limitations and confronting longstanding institutional and cultural habits. Suggestions for programmatic improvement included expansion of the program, ensuring appropriate management of pre-departure expectations, and refinement of program mentoring structures. Participants also voiced interest in expanding post-exchange programming to ensure both the use of and the maintenance of new capacity.

Conclusions

The MUYU Collaboration has benefitted both program participants and M-MakCHS, though these benefits remain difficult to quantify. This study supports the assertion that resource-poor to resource-rich exchanges have the potential to provide significant benefits to the resource-poor partner.