Journal Article

Strengthening timely detection and reporting of unusual respiratory events from health facilities in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Whitaker, Brett, Tayimetha, Carolle Yanique, Clara, Alexey, Alroy, Karen A., Gwom, Luc Christian, Balajee, Arunmozhi, Seukap, Elise, Monamele, Gwladys, Ndongo, Chanceline Bilounga, Tseuko, Dorine, Pasi, Omer, Manga, Henri, Njouom, Richard, Kenmoe, Sebastien, Etogo, Bienvenu, Etoundi, Alain Georges

2020

Overview

Background The International Health Regulations state that early detection and immediate reporting of unusual health events is important for early warning and response systems. Objective To describe a pilot surveillance program established in health facilities in Yaoundé, Cameroon in 2017 which aimed to enable detection and reporting of public health events. Methods Cameroon’s Ministry of Health, in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cameroon Pasteur Center, and National Public Health Laboratory, implemented event‐based surveillance (EBS) in nine Yaoundé health facilities. Four signals were defined that could indicate possible public health events, and a reporting, triage, and verification system was established among partner organizations. A pre‐defined laboratory algorithm was defined, and a series of workshops trained health facilities, laboratory, and public health staff for surveillance implementation. Results From May 2017 to January 2018, 30 signals were detected, corresponding to 15 unusual respiratory events. All health facilities reported a signal at least once, and more than three‐quarters of health facilities reported ≥2 times. Among specimens tested, the pathogens detected included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumocystis jiroveci, influenza A (H1N1) virus, rhinovirus, and adenovirus. Conclusions The events detected in this pilot were caused by routine respiratory bacteria and viruses, and no novel influenza viruses or other emerging respiratory threats were identified. The surveillance system, however, strengthened relationships and communication linkages between health facilities and public health authorities. Astute clinicians can play a critical role in early detection and EBS is one approach that may enable reporting of emerging outbreaks and public health events.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subject: Algorithms / Avian flu / Bacteria - isolation & purification / Bacteria - pathogenicity / Bacterial pneumonia / cameroon / Cameroon - epidemiology / Disease / Disease control / early warning and response / Early warning systems / Epidemics / event‐based surveillance / global health security / Haemophilus influenzae - isolation & purification / Haemophilus influenzae - pathogenicity / Health care facilities / Health Facilities / health facility / Hospitals / Humans / Illnesses / Infections / Influenza / Influenza A / Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - isolation & purification / Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - pathogenicity / Influenza viruses / International regulations / Klebsiella / Klebsiella pneumoniae - isolation & purification / Klebsiella pneumoniae - pathogenicity / Laws, regulations and rules / Medical laboratories / Original / Pandemics / Patients / Pediatrics / Pneumonia / Poultry / Public Health / Public Health Surveillance / Respiratory diseases / Respiratory Tract Infections - epidemiology / Respiratory Tract Infections - microbiology / Respiratory Tract Infections - virology / Rhinovirus / Streptococcus pneumoniae - isolation & purification / Streptococcus pneumoniae - pathogenicity / Surveillance / Viruses / Viruses - isolation & purification / Viruses - pathogenicity / Workshops / World health