Enhancing Respiratory Disease Surveillance to Detect COVID-19 in Shelters for Displaced Persons, Thailand–Myanmar Border, 2020–2021

Abstract

We developed surveillance guidance for COVID-19 in 9 temporary camps for displaced persons along the Thailand–Myanmar border. Arrangements were made for testing of persons presenting with acute respiratory infection, influenza-like illness, or who met the Thailand national COVID-19 Person Under Investigation case definition. In addition, testing was performed for persons who had traveled outside of the camps in outbreak-affected areas or who departed Thailand as resettling refugees. During the first 18 months of surveillance, May 2020–October 2021, a total of 6,190 specimens were tested, and 15 outbreaks (i.e., > 1 confirmed COVID-19 cases) were detected in 7 camps. Of those, 5 outbreaks were limited to a single case. Outbreaks during the Delta variant surge were particularly challenging to control. Adapting and implementing COVID-19 surveillance measures in the camp setting were successful in detecting COVID-19 outbreaks and preventing widespread disease during the initial phase of the pandemic in Thailand.

Global Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…CDC has provided longstanding support to strengthen surveillance, health information, and laboratory systems globally. Examples of such platforms used during the COVID-19 pandemic include the early warning and response surveillance system ( 1 ); respiratory ( 2 ), influenza ( 3 ), and acute febrile illness surveillance systems ( 4 ); global health security–supported information systems (e.g., District Health Information Software, version 2 [DHIS2]) ( 5 ); and PEPFAR-supported HIV and tuberculosis (TB) information systems ( 6 , 7 ). Respiratory disease surveillance guidance was developed for COVID-19 in 9 temporary camps for displaced persons along the Thailand–Myanmar border, showing that such systems can be effective during pandemics ( 2 ).…”

“…Examples of such platforms used during the COVID-19 pandemic include the early warning and response surveillance system ( 1 ); respiratory ( 2 ), influenza ( 3 ), and acute febrile illness surveillance systems ( 4 ); global health security–supported information systems (e.g., District Health Information Software, version 2 [DHIS2]) ( 5 ); and PEPFAR-supported HIV and tuberculosis (TB) information systems ( 6 , 7 ). Respiratory disease surveillance guidance was developed for COVID-19 in 9 temporary camps for displaced persons along the Thailand–Myanmar border, showing that such systems can be effective during pandemics ( 2 ). Countries’ ministries of health (MOH), the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations adapted international influenza surveillance systems for SARS-CoV-2 infections ( 3 ).…”