International Public Health Commons^™

The Spatial Dynamics Of Dengue Virus In Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand, Piraya Bhoomiboonchoo, Robert V. Gibbons, Angkana Huang, In-Kyu Yoon, Darunee Buddhari, Ananda Nisalak, Natkamol Chansatiporn, Mathuros Thipayamongkolgul, Siripen Kalanarooj, Timothy Endy, Alan L. Rothman, Anon Srikiatkhachorn, Sharone Green, Mammen P. Mammen, Derek A. Cummings, Henrik Salje

Sharone Green

BACKGROUND: Dengue is endemic to the rural province of Kamphaeng Phet, Northern Thailand. A decade of prospective cohort studies has provided important insights into the dengue viruses and their generated disease. However, as elsewhere, spatial dynamics of the pathogen remain poorly understood. In particular, the spatial scale of transmission and the scale of clustering are poorly characterized. This information is critical for effective deployment of spatially targeted interventions and for understanding the mechanisms that drive the dispersal of the virus.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We geocoded the home locations of 4,768 confirmed dengue cases admitted to the main hospital in Kamphaeng Phet …

Sequential Dengue Virus Infections Detected In Active And Passive Surveillance Programs In Thailand, 1994-2010, Piraya Bhoomiboonchoo, Ananda Nisalak, Natkamol Chansatiporn, In-Kyu Yoon, Siripen Kalayanarooj, Mathuros Thipayamongkolgul, Timothy Endy, Alan L. Rothman, Sharone Green, Anon Srikiatkhachorn, Darunee Buddhari, Mammen P. Mammen, Robert V. Gibbons

Sharone Green

BACKGROUND: The effect of prior dengue virus (DENV) exposure on subsequent heterologous infection can be beneficial or detrimental depending on many factors including timing of infection. We sought to evaluate this effect by examining a large database of DENV infections captured by both active and passive surveillance encompassing a wide clinical spectrum of disease.

METHODS: We evaluated datasets from 17 years of hospital-based passive surveillance and nine years of cohort studies, including clinical and subclinical DENV infections, to assess the outcomes of sequential heterologous infections. Chi square or Fisher's exact test was used to compare proportions of infection outcomes such …

Report On Sanitary Shoreline Survey Within The Tanbi Wetlands National Park And Other Shellfish Harvesting Communities, The Gambia

Michael A Rice

Emphasis is placed on the sanitary control of shellfish because of the direct relationship between pollution of shellfish growing areas and the transmission of diseases to humans. Shellfish borne infectious diseases are generally transmitted via a fecal - oral route. To accurately assess waters for shellfish harvesting, an evaluation of the pollution sources that are likely to affect the area is required by the NSSP. The shoreline survey is conducted of the shellfish growing area shoreline and estuary to locate pollution sources that could have an effect on the water quality of the area. The shoreline survey team visited 15 …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Training Programs For Community Health Workers In Rural Uganda, Elizabeth Butler, Edward O’Neil, Zachary Tabb, Edward Mwebe, John Mukadde, Prossy Jim, Michael A. Godkin, Judith A. Savageau, Safi Ahmed, Arwen Wolfe

Judith A. Savageau

Background: The Ministry of Health and Omnimed, a non-profit U.S.-based organization that works with international communities to provide basic health education, have partnered to provide health training to community health workers (henceforth referred to as village health workers or VHWs) in rural villages in Uganda. The training is provided via an intensive five-day long session that introduces a wide variety of themes in basic health education taught by experts in the respective fields. The participants are selected by the local government based on their age, reliability, level of education and availability. On the first day, the participants are given a …

Inadequate Feeding Of Infant And Young Children In India: Lack Of Nutritional Information Or Food Affordability?, Nisha Malhotra

Nisha Malhotra

Why does child malnutrition persist in India? Amongst the fastest growing economies over the last two decades, India has struggled to make progress in the health of its children. In this article the author argues that the reason malnutrition persists is not limited to poverty or inadequate access to food; but that a lack of nutritional knowledge amongst families plays a very important role.

Scientific Abstract Objective: Despite a rapidly growing economy and rising income levels in India, improvements in child malnutrition have lagged. Data from the most recent National Family Health Survey reveal that the infant and young child …

Results Of A Preliminary Shoreline Shellfish Sanitary Survey Near Banjul, Gambia Conducted On 18 June 2011, Kanyi Babanding, Michael A. Rice

Michael A Rice

A preliminary shoreline survey was conducted along the Bund Road (frequently referred to as Bond Road) levee and the Banjul-Serrekunda Highway in the northern Tanbi Wetlands oyster harvesting area in the metropolitan Banjul area. In part this was designed as a training exercise for Gambian officials will be assuming responsibility for future shoreline surveys in the Gambia. Key identified areas of concern include the Banjul fish landing area on Bund Road utilized by a number of artisanal fishers; an over-water toilet facility for fishers near the fish landing site; evidence of illegal waste and rubbish dumping along Bund Road; an …

Conservation And Development Interventions At The Wildlife-Livestock Interface, Steven A. Osofsky, Sarah Cleaveland, William B. Karesh, Michael D. Kock, Philip J. Nyhus, Lisa Starr, Angela Yang

Philip J. Nyhus

No abstract provided.

Dengue, Aedes Aegypti, And Hurricane Reconstruction In The Caribbean And Central America: Prevention And Control Following A Natural Disaster, Frank Cortez Flores

Frank Cortez Flores

Abstract: Dengue is currently the most important vector-borne viral disease affecting people, in terms of both morbidity and mortality. Repeated epidemics of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever afflicting millions of individuals occur annually in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, including The Caribbean and Central America, inhabited by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Accordingly, the main purpose of this study was to identify and address the dominating factors influencing the resurgence of dengue fever following a natural disaster such as a hurricane.

This study also depicted an arguable approach to dengue surveillance as well as described existing efforts to prevent, …