Therefore, in the relatively short time since its inception, WPSAR has established itself as a good quality regional journal that is well regarded by its readership.That two thirds of readers think it is fulfilling its role for timely sharing of information and that there is a wide range of article types and topics being published suggest that we are meeting our objectives of providing a platform for information sharing in surveillance and response in the Western Pacific Region.
Surveillance and Response (WPSAR) is an open access journal dedicated to the surveillance of and response to public health events.The goal of the journal is to create a platform for timely information sharing both within our region and globally to enhance surveillance and response activities.
Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is an illness caused by a coronavirus in which infected persons develop severe acute respiratory illness.A person can be infected through close contacts.This is an outbreak investigation report of the first confirmed MERS case in the Philippines and the subsequent contact tracing activities.Methods: Review of patient records and interviews with health-care personnel were done.Patient and close contacts were tested for MERS-coronavirus (CoV) by real time-polymerase chain reaction.Close contacts were identified and categorized.All traced contacts were monitored daily for appearance of illness for 14 days starting from the date of last known exposure to the confirmed case.A standard log sheet was used for symptom monitoring. Results:The case was a 31-year-old female who was a health-care worker in Saudi Arabia.She had mild acute respiratory illness five days before travelling to the Philippines.On 1 February, she travelled with her husband to the Philippines while she had a fever.On 2 February, she attended a health facility in the Philippines.On 8 February, respiratory samples were tested for MERS-CoV and yielded positive results.A total of 449 close contacts were identified, and 297 (66%) were traced.Of those traced, 15 developed respiratory symptoms.All of them tested negative for MERS.Discussion: In this outbreak investigation, the participation of health-care personnel in conducting vigorous contact tracing may have reduced the risk of transmission.However, being overly cautious to include more contacts for the outbreak response should be further reconsidered.
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response (WPSAR) is an open access journal dedicated to the surveillance of and response to public health events.The goal of the journal is to create a platform for timely information sharing both within our region and globally to enhance surveillance and response activities.
On 18 August 2014, cases of food poisoning in San Vicente Village were reported to the Event-Based Surveillance & Response Unit of the Philippine Department of Health.An investigation was conducted to identify the implicated source, describe the outbreak and evaluate the risk factors.Methods: A case-control study was conducted.A suspected case was a previously well individual of Medina who attended the village festival and developed abdominal pain and vomiting with or without nausea, diarrhoea and fever from 18 to 19 August.A confirmed case was a suspected case with a rectal swab positive for bacterial culture.Rectal swabs, water and food samples were sent to the national reference laboratories.Food source and consumption interviews and environmental inspections were conducted.Results: Sixty-four cases and 123 unmatched controls were identified.The median incubation period was 1 hour 15 minutes.Five cases (8%) were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, one (2%) for Aeromonas hydrophilia and one (2%) for Shigella boydii.One (14%) water sample was positive for Aeromonas spp.Of the collected food samples, beef steak was positive for Staphylococcus aureus.Risk factors were consumption of Filipino-style beef stew (odds ratio [OR]: 6.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.90-15.12)and stir-fried noodles (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.52-6.50).Prolonged serving time and improper food storage were noted.Discussion: In this foodborne outbreak, Staphylococcus aureus was the likely causative agent.Meals were contaminated due to improper food handling practices.We recommend that a policy be created to mandate that village-appointed food handlers undergo food safety training.Introduction: On 18 August 2014, cases of food poisoning in San Vicente Village were reported to the Event-Based Surveillance & Response Unit of the Philippine Department of Health.An investigation was conducted to identify the implicated source, describe the outbreak and evaluate the risk factors.Methods: A case-control study was conducted.A suspected case was a previously well individual of Medina who attended the village festival and developed abdominal pain and vomiting with or without nausea, diarrhoea and fever from 18 to 19 August.A confirmed case was a suspected case with a rectal swab positive for bacterial culture.Rectal swabs, water and food samples were sent to the national reference laboratories.Food source and consumption interviews and environmental inspections were conducted.Results: Sixty-four cases and 123 unmatched controls were identified.The median incubation period was 1 hour 15 minutes.Five cases (8%) were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, one (2%) for Aeromonas hydrophilia and one (2%) for Shigella boydii.One (14%) water sample was positive for Aeromonas spp.Of the collected food samples, beef steak was positive for Staphylococcus aureus.Risk factors were consumption of Filipino-style beef stew (odds ratio [OR]: 6.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.90-15.12)and stir-fried noodles (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.52-6.50).Prolonged serving time and improper food storage were noted.
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