Nationwide Preparedness Exercise Revealed Variation in Readiness for Outbreak Investigation in Environmental Health Units in Finland, 2020.

IF 1.8 4区 医学 Q3 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Ruska Rimhanen-Finne, Outi Lepistö, Annika Pihlajasaari, Janne Lundén
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: The aim was to characterize reported food- and waterborne outbreaks in Finland, 2010-2020, and to test local investigation teams' preparedness to investigate outbreaks.

Methods: The outbreaks reported to the Finnish registry for food and waterborne outbreaks were characterized by the number of outbreaks and people fallen ill, and the causative agent. Local investigation teams' measures and their timeliness in a simulated time-constrained case study were scored and analyzed descriptively.

Results: In 537 outbreaks, 12 399 fell ill and 19 (0.15%) died. The causative agent remained unknown in 218 outbreaks. The local investigation teams' median preparedness score was 15/29 (range 9-23) and the score differed markedly within regions. Differences in the speed of communication and the number of channels used were observed between the teams.

Conclusions: Differences between environmental health units' scores indicated inconsistency in outbreak investigations between areas in Finland. The variability in preparedness scores was high in both the highest and lowest outbreak incidence regions. Because outbreaks occur rarely in most EHU areas, preparedness exercises are necessary to maintain investigation skills. Measures to enhance sampling would be needed because the causative agent was unknown in over 1/3 of the outbreaks. Many local investigation teams lack experience in public communication and training on communicating about outbreaks is needed.

全国准备演习揭示了芬兰环境卫生单位对疫情调查的准备程度的差异,2020。
目的:目的是描述2010-2020年芬兰报告的食品和水传播疫情的特征,并测试当地调查小组调查疫情的准备情况。方法:向芬兰食品和水源性暴发登记处报告的暴发以暴发数量、患病人数和病原体为特征。在模拟的时间限制案例研究中,对当地调查小组的措施及其及时性进行了评分和描述性分析。结果:537例病例中,发病12399例,死亡19例(0.15%)。在218次暴发中,病原体仍然未知。地方调查队的防范得分中位数为15/29(范围9-23),区域间差异显著。观察到两队之间在沟通速度和使用的渠道数量上存在差异。结论:环境卫生单位得分之间的差异表明芬兰不同地区的疫情调查不一致。在疫情发生率最高和最低的地区,防范得分的差异都很大。由于疫情在大多数EHU地区很少发生,因此有必要进行准备工作,以保持调查技能。需要采取措施加强抽样,因为在三分之一以上的疫情中,病原体是未知的。许多地方调查小组缺乏公共沟通经验,需要就疫情进行沟通方面的培训。
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来源期刊
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-
CiteScore
4.40
自引率
7.40%
发文量
258
审稿时长
6-12 weeks
期刊介绍: Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness is the first comprehensive and authoritative journal emphasizing public health preparedness and disaster response for all health care and public health professionals globally. The journal seeks to translate science into practice and integrate medical and public health perspectives. With the events of September 11, the subsequent anthrax attacks, the tsunami in Indonesia, hurricane Katrina, SARS and the H1N1 Influenza Pandemic, all health care and public health professionals must be prepared to respond to emergency situations. In support of these pressing public health needs, Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness is committed to the medical and public health communities who are the stewards of the health and security of citizens worldwide.
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