Outbreak of toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil

Introduction: In the first months of 2018, there was an increase in the number of cases of fever possibly related to Toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, reaching significant values. Toxoplasmosis is an autoimmune acute infection usually asymptomatic in 80-90% of immunocompetent adults. In this outbreak, attention is drawn to the intensity of the symptoms presented, which were observed in more than 70% of the cases. Objective: To report the cases of the outbreak of toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Data were collected from bulletins published by the Municipal Health Department of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Results: The outbreak of toxoplasmosis in Santa Maria was confirmed on April 19, 2018. Until June 14, 2018, 510 cases were confirmed. According to the most recent bulletin released by the State Health Department on June 8, 2018, 441 occurrences are people residing in Santa Maria, five are residents of the districts and seven cases are patients residing in neighboring counties. In a bulletin published on May 25, 2018, 1,116 cases were reported to state epidemiological surveillance by the end of May. Of these, 766 cases were still suspected (fever, headache and/or myalgia accompanied by lymphadenopathy, weakness, arthralgia or change in vision. In the other 460 cases, there was laboratory confirmation for acute toxoplasmosis, of which 35 were pregnant, with two fetal deaths (36 and 28 weeks) and two abortions. There are also 212 cases still pending laboratory confirmation, of which 133 were pregnant women, 1 was a spontaneously aborted fetus and 17 were children . Tests carried out on the water supplying the city so far have resulted negative for toxoplasmosis. Conclusion: The results of this research show that the current outbreak of toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, is the largest reported in the world

A tabletop exercise approach to global disaster preparedness: insights from Nepal’s first international conference on disaster preparedness and management

Considering recent earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster preparedness has come to the forefront of the public health agenda in Nepal. To strengthen the developing health system, many initiatives are being implemented at different levels of society to build resiliency, one of which is through training and education. The first International Conference on Disaster Preparedness and Management convened in Dhulikhel, Nepal on December 1–3, 2023. It brought together international teaching faculty to help deliver didactic and simulation-based sessions on various topics pertaining to disaster preparedness and management for over 140 Nepali healthcare professionals. This paper focuses on the tabletop exercise-based longitudinal workshop portion of the conference on disaster leadership and communication, delivered by United States-based faculty. It delves into the educational program and curriculum, delivery method, Nepali organizer and US facilitator reflections, and provides recommendations for such future conferences, and adaptation to other settings

International Health Security: A Summative Assessment by ACAIM Consensus Group

International health security (IHS) encompasses any natural or anthropogenic occurrence that can threaten the safety of human health and well-being. The American College of Academic International Medicine IHS Consensus Group (ACAIM-CG) developed a summative assessment highlighting the main issues that can impact IHS including emerging infectious diseases; chronic health conditions; bioterrorism; planetary changes (volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, wildfires, and climate change); nuclear incidents; information and cyber health; industrialization; globalization; pharmaceutical production; and communication platforms (social media). These concerns can directly and indirectly impact IHS both in the long and short term. When considering IHS, we aim to emphasize the utility of applying a predefined framework to effectively approach health security threats. This framework comprises of prevention, detection, assessment, reporting, response, addressing needs, and the perpetual repetition of the above cycle (inclusive of appropriate mitigation measures). It is hoped that this collective work will provide a foundation for further research within the redefined, expanded scope of IHS

Outbreak of toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil

Introduction: In the first months of 2018, there was an increase in the number of cases of fever possibly related to Toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, reaching significant values. Toxoplasmosis is an autoimmune acute infection usually asymptomatic in 80-90% of immunocompetent adults. In this outbreak, attention is drawn to the intensity of the symptoms presented, which were observed in more than 70% of the cases. Objective: To report the cases of the outbreak of toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Data were collected from bulletins published by the Municipal Health Department of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Results: The outbreak of toxoplasmosis in Santa Maria was confirmed on April 19, 2018. Until June 14, 2018, 510 cases were confirmed. According to the most recent bulletin released by the State Health Department on June 8, 2018, 441 occurrences are people residing in Santa Maria, five are residents of the districts and seven cases are patients residing in neighboring counties. In a bulletin published on May 25, 2018, 1,116 cases were reported to state epidemiological surveillance by the end of May. Of these, 766 cases were still suspected (fever, headache and/or myalgia accompanied by lymphadenopathy, weakness, arthralgia or change in vision. In the other 460 cases, there was laboratory confirmation for acute toxoplasmosis, of which 35 were pregnant, with two fetal deaths (36 and 28 weeks) and two abortions. There are also 212 cases still pending laboratory confirmation, of which 133 were pregnant women, 1 was a spontaneously aborted fetus and 17 were children . Tests carried out on the water supplying the city so far have resulted negative for toxoplasmosis. Conclusion: The results of this research show that the current outbreak of toxoplasmosis in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, is the largest reported in the world

Using a joint triage model for multi-hospital response to a mass casualty incident in New York city

This paper defines a specific plan which allows two separate institutions, with different capabilities, to function as a single receiving entity in the event of a mass casualty incident. The street between the two institutions will be closed to traffic and a two-phase process initiated. Arriving ambulances will first be quickly screened to expedite the most critical patients followed by formal triage and directing patients to one of the two facilities. Preparation for this plan requires prior coordination between local authorities and the administrations of both institutions. This plan can serve as a general model for disaster preparedness when two or more institutions with different capabilities are located in close proximity

Academic College of Emergency Experts in India′s INDO-US Joint Working Group (JWG) White Paper on the Integrated Emergency Communication Response Service in India: Much more than just a number!

The proposal for an integrated national emergency number for India is garnering a lot of enthusiasm and stimulating debate. This ambitious project has a two-part paradigm shift to set in; the first being the integration into a single number and the infrastructure required for setting up and operating this number such that a call can be received and identified. The second is the submerged part of the iceberg: That of the ability to respond to a call and deliver the appropriate emergency service. The first part is more technical and has potential precedents like the 911 phone hotline, for example, to emulate. The main premise of this paper is that the second part is a rather subjective exercise largely determined by the realities of existing public infrastructure in a specific geographical area with respect to emergency services management, especially medical care. Consequently, we highlight the key areas of both precall preparedness and postcall execution that need to be reviewed prior to going live with an integrated number on a national scale