Measles among healthcare workers in Italy. Is it time to act?

Vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) against measles is strongly recommended in Europe. In this study, we examined the impact of measles on Italian HCWs by systematically and quantitatively analyzing measles cases involving HCWs over time and by identifying the epidemiological characteristics of the respective measles outbreaks. We retrieved data on measles cases from the Italian national integrated measles and rubella surveillance system from January 2013 to May 2019. Additionally, we performed a systematic review of the literature and an analysis of the measles and rubella aggregate outbreaks reporting forms from 2014 to 2018. Our review suggests that preventing measles infection among HCWs in disease outbreaks may be crucial for the elimination of measles in Italy. National policies aiming to increase HCW immunization rates are fundamental to the protection of HCWs and patients, will limit the economic impact of outbreaks on the institutions affected and will help achieve the elimination goal

Investigation of severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among health care workers - Lusaka District, Zambia, April-June 2020

Introduction: Zambia is experiencing an epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Infections initially sporadic, but community transmission began to occur widely in late June 2020. Over 100 health care workers (HCWs) reported infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Lusaka District. We investigated factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs in four hospitals in Lusaka District during April to June 2020. Methods: Case control study among HCWs with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, Cancer Disease Hospital, Chilenje First level Hospital, and Women and Newborn Hospital in April to June 2020. Controls drawn from HCWs working in a department within 14 days before a positive test of cases. Standardized questionnaire assessing demographics, medical history, exposures, and infection prevention practices administered. Logistic regression conducted to assess associations with SARS-CoV-2 infection, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported. Results: Forty-three cases occurred in four facilities from April through June 2020. We interviewed 39 cases and 101 controls. Median age was 33 years (interquartile range: 28, 38). Twenty-nine (74%) cases self-reported being asymptomatic. Most (25(65.8%)) cases tested positive during HCW screening with no known HCW index case. Unknown exposure status in facilities had increased odds of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 compared to known exposure (OR = 4.5 (95% CI: 1.73, 11.9)). Low adherence to handwashing (OR=4.53 (95% CI: 1.74, 11.8)) and inadequate use of personal protective equipment (OR=2.87 (1.20, 6.87)) increased odds of having SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: Low adherence to personal protective measures like hand washing, PPE use and absence of knowledge about potential SARS-CoV-2 exposures in health facilities suggest that transmission could have occurred in health facilities. Routine HCW screening for early identification and isolation of cases to minimise nosocomial transmission is recommended

Proceedings of Abstracts Engineering and Computer Science Research Conference 2019

© 2019 The Author(s). This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. For further details please see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Note: Keynote: Fluorescence visualisation to evaluate effectiveness of personal protective equipment for infection control is © 2019 Crown copyright and so is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Under this licence users are permitted to copy, publish, distribute and transmit the Information; adapt the Information; exploit the Information commercially and non-commercially for example, by combining it with other Information, or by including it in your own product or application. Where you do any of the above you must acknowledge the source of the Information in your product or application by including or linking to any attribution statement specified by the Information Provider(s) and, where possible, provide a link to this licence: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/This book is the record of abstracts submitted and accepted for presentation at the Inaugural Engineering and Computer Science Research Conference held 17th April 2019 at the University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK. This conference is a local event aiming at bringing together the research students, staff and eminent external guests to celebrate Engineering and Computer Science Research at the University of Hertfordshire. The ECS Research Conference aims to showcase the broad landscape of research taking place in the School of Engineering and Computer Science. The 2019 conference was articulated around three topical cross-disciplinary themes: Make and Preserve the Future; Connect the People and Cities; and Protect and Care