Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS): An Innovative Tool for Prompt Identification of Infectious Diseases during Outbreaks

Baldassi, F.; Carestia, Mariachiara; Moramarco, Stefania; Malizia, A.; Gaudio, P.

doi:10.3390/ijerph18063216

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 11 publications

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“… Establish how to detect and notify those relevant any incident or outbreak immediately or as soon as possible. Possible tools to improve this type of passive surveillance could be represented by new first responders oriented user-friendly apps for epidemiological modelling [ 25 ]. Evaluate the threshold above which the plan must be activated.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Risk in Italian Prisons: From the COVID-19 Management to the Development of a Standardized Model for Emergency Response

Franchi

Giacalone

Giovanni

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Within the confinements of critical infrastructures, the COVID-19 pandemic is posing a series of challenges to Health Management. In the spotlight of highly contagious and quick spreading diseases within such enclosed facilities, whether it be a detention facility or otherwise, the health and safety of those living within its internment is paramount. This paper aims to highlight the specific challenges and the possible solutions to counteract this problem, starting from the lessons learnt from the Italian prison system case study. Following the general description of the available resources within the Italian prisons, the study aimed at specifically describing the first counteracting measures deployed by the Italian prison authorities during the first phase of the COVID-19 outbreak (February–July 2020). The aim was to propose an integrated plan capable of responding to a biological threat within the prisons. In particular, the study describes the actions and technical features that, in accordance with national and international legal frameworks and the relevant organisational bodies that run the Italian Prison Service, had been adopted in managing, right from the start, the COVID-19 pandemic until Summer 2020. Available information and data showed the ability of the prison administration to comply almost completely with WHO’s technical and human rights recommendations and also, in successfully handling prison emergencies both in terms of the sick and the deceased in line with the epidemiological framework of the general population. In addition, the paper proposes a draft of guidelines that should involve the National Health Service and the Prison Service that are aimed at supporting the local prison facilities with drawing up their own biological incident contingency plans. An approved, legal, standardised plan could increase the awareness of prison managers. It could even increase their self-confidence, in particular, with regard to cases of dispute and their ability to respond to them. In fact, it is valuable and forward-thinking to be able to demonstrate that every endeavour has been taken and that ‘certified’ best practices have been put in place in accordance with the national standards.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Risk in Italian Prisons: From the COVID-19 Management to the Development of a Standardized Model for Emergency Response

Franchi

Giacalone

Giovanni

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Self Cite

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Investigating outbreaks of initially unknown aetiology in complex settings: findings and recommendations from 10 case studies

Perrocheau

Jephcott

Asgari-Jirhanden

et al. 2023

International Health

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Background Outbreaks of unknown aetiology in complex settings pose challenges and there is little information about investigation methods. We reviewed investigations into such outbreaks to identify methods favouring or impeding identification of the cause. Methods We used two approaches: reviewing scientific literature and soliciting key informants. Case studies were developed through interviews with people involved and triangulated with documents available from the time of the investigation. Results Ten outbreaks in African or Asian countries within the period 2007–2017 were selected. The cause was identified in seven, of which two had an unclear mode of transmission, and in three, neither origin nor transmission mode was identified. Four events were caused by infectious agents and three by chemical poisoning. Despite differences in the outbreaks, similar obstacles were noted: incomplete or delayed description of patients, comorbidities confounding clinical pictures and case definitions wrongly attributed. Repeated rounds of data collection and laboratory investigations were common and there was limited capacity to ship samples. Discussion It was not possible to define activities that led to prompt identification of the cause in the case studies selected. Based on the observations, we conclude that basing case definitions on precise medical observations, implementing initial comprehensive data collection, including environmental, social and behavioural information; and involving local informants could save precious time and hasten implementation of control measures.

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Methodological Approaches to the Verification of Causes of Infectious Diseases in Emergencies

Vynograd,

Vasylyshyn,

Kozak

et al. 2023

ujlm

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Emergency situations (ES) of various genesis are accompanied by a change in the epidemic state of the territory and population, which requires the timely detection of an infectious striking factors (pathogenic biological agents and toxins) and non-infectious agents. The laboratory network is an important component in the emergency response system, which allows determining the etiology of infectious and parasitic diseases, treating of patients; directions of anti-epidemic support, effectiveness of measures. The aim of the study is to evaluate modern models of laboratory support for the indication of pathogenic biological agents (PBA), the tasks of the laboratory service at the main stages of an emergency: readiness, response and recovery. Laboratory diagnostics is an important component in the system of protection during emergencies, which ensures the detection of PBA and toxins, conducting clinical laboratory tests. The scope and directions of activity of the laboratory network are determined by the real situation and differ at the stages of readiness, response and recovery at ES. The indication of PBA begins at the stage of carrying out sanitary-epidemiological reconnaissance in the affected territories. The PBA detection and identification can be carried out by the laboratory network of health care institutions in the emergency zone, mobile laboratories of various types, and the laboratory network outside the affected areas. The methods of antigens detection based on an immune capture assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fluorescent microscopy), spectroscopy as well as PBA genomes (multiplex PCR) allows to verify the diagnoses of infectious patients in up to 2 hours. In the case of using lateral flow chromatography, it is advisable to use sets of rapid tests taking into account the group of infections: intestinal, respiratory, contact, blood. Normally is the use of other principles of kit selection: group of particularly dangerous infections; sexually transmitted infections; central nervous system infections, etc.

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Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS): An Innovative Tool for Prompt Identification of Infectious Diseases during Outbreaks

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Biological Risk in Italian Prisons: From the COVID-19 Management to the Development of a Standardized Model for Emergency Response

Biological Risk in Italian Prisons: From the COVID-19 Management to the Development of a Standardized Model for Emergency Response

Investigating outbreaks of initially unknown aetiology in complex settings: findings and recommendations from 10 case studies

Methodological Approaches to the Verification of Causes of Infectious Diseases in Emergencies

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