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Western Pacific Surveillance and Response
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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 2094-7321 - ISSN (Online) 2094-7313
Published by World Health Organization: Western Pacific

[1 journal]

School outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in Northern Luzon,
Philippines, October 2022
- Authors: Emeryn C Victori, Ray Justin C Ventura, Mariz Zheila C Blanco, Rosario P Pamintuan, Rio L Magpantay, Karen B Lonogan
  Abstract: Objective: On 24 September 2022, the Regional Public Health Unit in Ilocos received a report of a cluster of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in one school in Balungao, Pangasinan Province, the Philippines. On 4 October 2022, the public health unit sent a team from the Field Epidemiology Training Program – Intermediate Course to conduct an outbreak investigation. Methods: Active case-finding was conducted at the school. A suspected case was defined as any student or staff member with mouth ulcers and papulovesicular or maculopapular rash on the palms, fingers, soles of the feet or buttocks occurring from 1 September to 5 October 2022. We interviewed school officials about possible sources of infection and students’ activities. We collected oropharyngeal swab samples for testing. Findings were used for descriptive analysis. Results: Nine suspected cases of HFMD were detected, with the highest number of cases (6, 67%) occurring in children in grade 1. The majority of cases (7, 78%) were 6 years old, and five cases (56%) were male. Seven (78%) of the cases had been exposed to a confirmed case of HFMD, as reported by their parents or guardians and teachers. Six cases (67%) were positive for coxsackievirus A16 and two (22%) for enterovirus. Discussion: The causative agents of this outbreak were coxsackievirus A16 and other enteroviruses. Direct contact with a confirmed case was the source of transmission, with a lack of physical distancing in classrooms likely contributing to transmission. We recommended that the local government implement measures to control the outbreak.
  PubDate: 2023-04-28
  DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1001
  Issue No: Vol. 14, No. 2 (2023)
Responding to COVID-19 vaccine-related safety events: WHO Western Pacific
regional experience and lessons learned
- Authors: Heeyoun Cho, Ananda Amarasinghe, Yoshihiro Takashima
  Pages: 6 - 6
  Abstract: Problem: Novel vaccines were developed in an unprecedentedly short time in response to the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which triggered concerns about the safety profiles of the new vaccines. This paper describes the actions and outcomes of three major adverse events of special interest (AESIs) reported in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Western Pacific Region: anaphylaxis, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) and post-vaccination death. Context: During the large-scale introduction of various novel COVID-19 vaccines, robust monitoring of and response to COVID-19 vaccine safety events were critical. Action: We developed and disseminated information sheets about anaphylaxis and TTS; provided tailor-made training for anaphylaxis monitoring and response, webinars about TTS and AESIs, and an algorithm to support decision-making about AESIs following immunization; as well as provided country-specific technical support for causality assessments, including for possible vaccination-related deaths. Outcome: Each major vaccine event and situation of high concern was responded to appropriately and in a timely manner with comprehensive technical support from WHO. Our support activities have not only strengthened countries’ capacities for vaccine safety surveillance and response, but also enabled countries to decrease the negative impact of these events on their immunization programmes and maintain the confidence of health-care professionals and the general population through proactive delivery of risk communications. Discussion: This paper summarizes selected, major AESIs following COVID-19 vaccination and responses made by WHO’s Regional Office for the Western Pacific to support countries. The examples of responses to vaccine safety events during the pandemic and unprecedented mass vaccination campaigns could be useful for countries to adopt, where applicable, to enhance their preparation for activities related to monitoring vaccine safety.
  PubDate: 2023-05-24
  DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1016
  Issue No: Vol. 14, No. 2 (2023)
Epidemiology of COVID-19 cases and vaccination coverage in Seremban
District, Malaysia, 2021
- Authors: Khairul Hafidz Alkhair Khairul Amin, Nur Nadiatul Asyikin Bujang, Siti Aishah Abas, Nadiatul Ima Zulkifli, Syuaib Aiman Amir, Sharina Mohd Shah, Veshny Ganesan, Nurul Fazilah Aziz, Muhammad Adli Jalaluddin, Mohd Shahrol Abd Wahil, Muhamad Hazizi Muhamad Hasani, Noor Khalili Mohd Ali, Mohamad Paid Yusof
  Pages: 7 - 7
  Abstract: Objective: Malaysia’s first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was reported in January 2020, with the first case in the state of Negeri Sembilan diagnosed on 17 February 2020. The National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme commenced in early March 2021 in Negeri Sembilan. This study describes the COVID-19 cases and vaccination coverage in Seremban District, Negeri Sembilan, during 2021. Methods: The demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases and the district’s vaccination coverage were described. Vaccination coverage was plotted against COVID-19 cases on the epidemic curve. The chi-square test was used to examine the differences between the vaccination status of COVID-19 cases and severity category, hospitalization status and mortality. Results: In Seremban District, there were 65 879 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 2021. The data revealed that the
  21–30-year age group had the highest proportion of cases (16 365; 24.8%), the majority of cases were male (58.3%), and most cases were from the sub-district of Ampangan (23.1%). The majority of cases were Malaysian. Over half (53.5%) were symptomatic, with fever (29.8%) and cough (22.8%) being the most frequently reported symptoms. COVID-19 vaccination status was significantly associated with severity category, hospitalization and mortality (P < 0.001 for all categories). Discussion: This is the first study to describe two-dose vaccination coverage and the trend in COVID-19 cases in Seremban District. It was observed that COVID-19 cases had been reduced following more than 60.0% vaccination coverage.
  PubDate: 2023-05-24
  DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.985
  Issue No: Vol. 14, No. 2 (2023)

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