Response to a large rotavirus outbreak on South Tarawa, Kiribati, 2013
Autor: | Maryanne Utiera, Teanibuaka Tabunga, Sala Elbourne Duituturaga, Teatao Tira, Eric J. Nilles, Adam T. Craig, Rosemary Tekoaua, Tebikau Tibwe, Tebuka Toatu |
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Rok vydání: | 2014 |
Předmět: |
Adult
Diarrhea Male Rotavirus South Tarawa Kiribati Adolescent rotavirus outbreak outbreak response lcsh:Medicine medicine.disease_cause Rotavirus Infections World health Disease Outbreaks Young Adult Health facility Enteric disease Environmental health Humans Medicine Infection control Sanitation Child Inadequate sanitation Aged Other Topic Population Density business.industry lcsh:Public aspects of medicine lcsh:R Infant Newborn Disease Management Infant Outbreak lcsh:RA1-1270 General Medicine Middle Aged Virology Gastroenteritis Child Preschool Population Surveillance Vomiting Female medicine.symptom business Micronesia |
Zdroj: | Western Pacific Surveillance and Response, Vol 5, Iss 2, Pp 9-14 (2014) |
ISSN: | 2094-7313 2094-7321 |
DOI: | 10.5365/wpsar.2013.4.4.006 |
Popis: | Introduction: In July 2013, during annual independence celebrations in Kiribati, staff at Tungaru Central Hospital on South Tarawa reported an increase in children presenting with severe diarrhoea. This report describes the outbreak investigation, findings and response. Method: After notification of the outbreak, all health facilities on South Tarawa began reporting cases of acute diarrhoea and/or vomiting through the early warning syndromic surveillance system on a daily basis. Community awareness was raised and the public was encouraged to present to a health facility if ill with acute gastroenteritis. Specimens were collected and sent for laboratory testing. Results: Between 10 and 24 July 2013, 1118 cases of gastroenteritis were reported; 103 were hospitalized and six died. The median age of cases was one year (range: 0–68 years); 93.4% were aged less than five years. Rotavirus was identified in 81% of specimens tested. The outbreak response included enhanced surveillance, community education, clinical training and changes to in-hospital patient management for infection control. Discussion: This outbreak was the largest diarrhoea outbreak in Kiribati in five years. Factors that may have contributed to the magnitude and severity of the outbreak included high household density, inadequate sanitation infrastructure and a mass gathering – all increasing the chance of transmission – as well as limited clinical response capacity. The current outbreak highlights the importance of clinical management to minimize severe dehydration and death. Rotavirus vaccination should be considered as an adjunct to other comprehensive enteric disease control measures as recommended by the World Health Organization. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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