Managing meningococcal disease case clusters: art or science?

Ardern, Kate; Bowler, Simon; Hussey, Ruth; Regan, C M

doi:10.1136/jech.53.9.565

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Meningococcal infection has one of the highest media profiles of all infectious diseases [5,6]. The public health response to a case depends on the certainty with which the diagnosis is held.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PCR and the investigation of meningococcal infection

Wood¹,

Gill

2001

Epidemiol. Infect.

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We examined the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in investigating suspected cases of meningococcal infection in Birmingham. Data held by Birmingham Health Authority were interrogated to determine cases of suspected or confirmed meningococcal infection for a 3-year period from April 1996. The microbiology departments of five local hospitals completed a standard proforma about the microbiological investigation of cases and included details of patient age, clinical presentation and method of confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. Of 273 cases, 123 had PCR performed on either cerebrospinal fluid and/or blood. Groups more likely to have a PCR done were those presenting with septicaemia alone, and those in the 5-14 year age group. In 33 cases. PCR was the only positive microbiological result. Over the study period there was increasing but variable use of PCR in the investigation of meningococcal infection and PCR increased the yield of confirmed cases.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PCR and the investigation of meningococcal infection

Wood¹,

Gill

2001

Epidemiol. Infect.

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“…Previous studies found that an alarmist tone can ignite fear in readers [20] increasing the perceived severity and vulnerability of a disease [21]. At times it could lead to unnecessary measures being taken such as the extended closure of schools due to two cases of meningitis, despite public health recommendations [22], or inappropriate behaviour such as the increase of antibiotic use similar to the case of H1N1 influenza epidemic in 2010 [23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meningococcal disease in Italy: public concern, media coverage and policy change

et al. 2019

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Background Between 2015 and 2017 six deaths due to meningitis in the Lombardy Region, Northern Italy, caught the attention of media and increased concern among the population, with a consequent increase in demand for vaccination. Considering the evidence about the impact of media coverage of health issues on public behaviour, this paper investigates the trend of media coverage and internet searches regarding meningitis in the Lombardy Region. Methods Content analysis of online articles published from January 2015 to May 2017 and analysis of Google Trends were carried out. A codebook was created in order to assess the content of each article analysed, based on six areas: article characteristics, information about meningococcal disease and vaccination, Local Health Authority activities, accuracy of information and tone of the message. Results Both public interest and media attention peaked in December 2016 and January 2017, when the Lombardy Regional Authority changed its policy by offering co-payment to adults with a saving of 50%. The frequency of meningitis coverage decreased after the announcement of policy change. For example, articles containing new information on meningitis or meningococcal vaccine (76 to 48%, p = 0.01) and preventive recommendations (31% down to 10%, p = 0.006) decreased significantly. An alarmist tone appeared in 21% of pre-policy articles that decreased to 5% post-policy ( p = 0.03). Conclusions The findings suggest a role for the media in fostering public pressure towards health services and policy-makers. A collaboration between Public Health institutions and the media would be beneficial in order to improve communication with the public. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7426-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…-Los medios de comunicación desempeñan un papel esencial en la diseminación de información, opinión e imagen de nuestra organización [7][8][9] . Mantener abiertos los canales informativos, preferentemente locales, permite adelantarse y ofrecer información y mensajes sencillos y claros 10 .…”

Section: Tabla 1 Medidas De Intervención Y Control Efectuadasunclassified

Herramientas para afrontar las situaciones de crisis en un brote de gastroenteritis aguda en un colegio público

et al. 2005

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We present our reflections on the management of an acute gastroenteritis outbreak in a public school, which caused a public health crisis, and the conclusions drawn from this experience. The methodology of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was used. This article describes the epidemiology of the incident and the policy decisions made, but focuses on operational aspects of outbreak management. The experience of the outbreak control team, liaison with other organizations, and data management are discussed. The difficulties encountered by the outbreak team related to delay in declaring in the outbreak, lack of training in some of the entities involved, and incorrect use of the surveillance circuits. Current protocols and specific action plans for the management of outbreaks should be improved through self-evaluation and updating of resources and knowledge.

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Managing meningococcal disease case clusters: art or science?

Cited by 7 publications

References 7 publications

PCR and the investigation of meningococcal infection

PCR and the investigation of meningococcal infection

Meningococcal disease in Italy: public concern, media coverage and policy change

Herramientas para afrontar las situaciones de crisis en un brote de gastroenteritis aguda en un colegio público

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