Journal Article > Short ReportFull Text
Public Health Action. 2023 June 21; Volume 13 (Issue 2); 31-33.; DOI:10.5588/pha.23.0011
Mangion JP, Mancini S, Bachy C, de Weggheleire A, Zamatto F
Public Health Action. 2023 June 21; Volume 13 (Issue 2); 31-33.; DOI:10.5588/pha.23.0011
English
Français
A rising number of diphtheria cases were recorded in Europe in 2022, including in Belgium, within the newly arriving young migrant population. In October 2022, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) opened a temporary roadside container-clinic offering free medical consultations. Over 3 months of activity, the temporary clinic detected 147 suspected cases of cutaneous diphtheria with 8 laboratory-confirmed cases growing toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This was followed by a mobile vaccination campaign, during which 433 individuals living rough in squats and informal shelters were vaccinated. This intervention has shown how even in Europe’s capital, access to preventive and curative medical services remains difficult for those who need it the most. Appropriate access to health services, including routine vaccination, are crucial to improve the health status among migrants.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Euro Surveill. 2023 November 1; Volume 28 (Issue 44); 2300130.; DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.44.2300130
Jacquinet S, Martini H, Mangion JP, Neusy S, Detollenaere A, et al.
Euro Surveill. 2023 November 1; Volume 28 (Issue 44); 2300130.; DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.44.2300130
Since 2022, European countries have been facing an outbreak of mainly cutaneous diphtheria caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae among asylum seekers. In Belgium, between 1 March and 31 December 2022, 25 cases of toxigenic C. diphtheriae infection were confirmed among asylum seekers, mostly among young males from Afghanistan. Multi-locus sequence typing showed that most isolates belonged to sequence types 574 or 377, similar to the majority of cases in other European countries. The investigation and management of the outbreak, with many asylum seekers without shelter, required adjustments to case finding, contact tracing and treatment procedures. A test-and-treat centre was organised by non-governmental organisations, the duration of the antimicrobial treatment was shortened to increase compliance, and isolation and contact tracing of cases was not possible. A vaccination centre was opened, and mobile vaccination campaigns were organised to vaccinate a maximum of asylum seekers. No more cases were detected between end December 2022 and May 2023. Unfortunately, though, three cases of respiratory diphtheria, including one death, were reported at the end of June 2023. To prevent future outbreaks, specific attention and sufficient resources should be allocated to this vulnerable population, in Belgium and at international level.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Public Health Action. 2016 June 21; Volume 6 (Issue 2); 54-59.; DOI:10.5588/pha.15.0080
Benedetti G, Mossoko M, Nyakio Kakusu JP, Nyembo J, Mangion JP, et al.
Public Health Action. 2016 June 21; Volume 6 (Issue 2); 54-59.; DOI:10.5588/pha.15.0080
SETTING
The Democratic Republic of Congo suffers from an amalgam of disease outbreaks and other medical emergencies. An efficient response to these relies strongly on the national surveillance system. The Pool d'Urgence Congo (PUC, Congo Emergency Team) of Médecins Sans Frontières is a project that responds to emergencies in highly remote areas through short-term vertical interventions, during which it uses the opportunity of its presence to reinforce the local surveillance system.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the ancillary strengthening of the peripheral surveillance system during short-term interventions leads to improved disease notification.
DESIGN
A descriptive paired study measuring disease notification before and after 12 PUC interventions in 2013-2014.
RESULTS
A significant increase in disease notification was observed after seven mass-vaccination campaigns and was sustained over 6 months. For the remaining five smaller-scaled interventions, no significant effects were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The observed improvements after even short-term interventions underline, on the one hand, how external emergency actors can positively affect the system through their punctuated actions, and, on the other hand, the dire need for investment in surveillance at peripheral level.
The Democratic Republic of Congo suffers from an amalgam of disease outbreaks and other medical emergencies. An efficient response to these relies strongly on the national surveillance system. The Pool d'Urgence Congo (PUC, Congo Emergency Team) of Médecins Sans Frontières is a project that responds to emergencies in highly remote areas through short-term vertical interventions, during which it uses the opportunity of its presence to reinforce the local surveillance system.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the ancillary strengthening of the peripheral surveillance system during short-term interventions leads to improved disease notification.
DESIGN
A descriptive paired study measuring disease notification before and after 12 PUC interventions in 2013-2014.
RESULTS
A significant increase in disease notification was observed after seven mass-vaccination campaigns and was sustained over 6 months. For the remaining five smaller-scaled interventions, no significant effects were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The observed improvements after even short-term interventions underline, on the one hand, how external emergency actors can positively affect the system through their punctuated actions, and, on the other hand, the dire need for investment in surveillance at peripheral level.