Polio infrastructure strengthened disease outbreak preparedness and response in the WHO African Region.

Polio infrastructure strengthened disease outbreak preparedness and response in the WHO African Region.
Vaccine. 2016 Jul 1;
Authors: Kouadio K, Okeibunor J, Nsubuga P, Mihigo R, Mkanda P
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The continuous deployments of polio resources, infrastructures and systems for responding to other disease outbreaks in many African countries has led to a number of lessons considered as best practice that need to be documented for strengthening preparedness and response activities in future outbreaks.
METHODS: We reviewed and documented the influence of polio best practices in outbreak preparedness and response in Angola, Nigeria and Ethiopia. Data from relevant programmes of the WHO African Region were also analyzed to demonstrate clearly the relative contributions of PEI resources and infrastructure to effective disease outbreak preparedness and response.
RESULTS: Polio resources including, human, financial, and logistic, tool and strategies have tremendously contributed to responding to diseases outbreaks across the African region. In Angola, Nigeria and Ethiopia, many disease epidemics including Marburg Hemorrhagic fever, Dengue fever, Ebola Virus Diseases (EVD), Measles, Anthrax and Shigella have been controlled using existing polio Eradication Initiatives resources. Polio staffs are usually deployed in occasions to supports outbreak response activities (coordination, surveillance, contact tracing, case ...

Source: Vaccine - June 30, 2016 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Kouadio K, Okeibunor J, Nsubuga P, Mihigo R, Mkanda P Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research