sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
Major Issues and Challenges of Influenza Pandemic Preparedness in Developing Countries
Hitoshi Oshitani,* Taro Kamigaki,* and Akira Suzuki*
"...More feasible and effective strategies should be developed as soon as possible to mitigate
the negative impact of an influenza pandemic in developing countries. Since the availability of
pharmaceutical interventions in developing countries is less likely, nonpharmaceutical
interventions such as social distancing and personal hygiene may be the only available
interventions. Public health measures such as school closure and household quarantine have been
evaluated by using mathematical models for their effectiveness in mitigating the impact of a
pandemic (29,30) and may have potential beneficial effects. However, the models suggest that
substantial benefits of these measures require implementation with antiviral prophylaxis or
vaccines (29,30). The evidence for effectiveness of public health measures is limited and is based
primarily on experience in industrialized countries (31,32). For example, handwashing and hand
hygiene have been highly publicized as a core management strategy for avian and pandemic
influenza in developing countries (33). Although handwashing is effective in reducing the
incidence of common diseases such as acute respiratory infections (34), data on its effectiveness
specifically for community-acquired influenza infections are limited (31). Recommendations on
nonpharmaceutical interventions have been based on available evidence (35). Accumulation of
further scientific evidence for these measures, which can be implemented at a low cost, is urgently
required..."
http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/14/6/pdfs/07-0839.pdf
Hitoshi Oshitani,* Taro Kamigaki,* and Akira Suzuki*
"...More feasible and effective strategies should be developed as soon as possible to mitigate
the negative impact of an influenza pandemic in developing countries. Since the availability of
pharmaceutical interventions in developing countries is less likely, nonpharmaceutical
interventions such as social distancing and personal hygiene may be the only available
interventions. Public health measures such as school closure and household quarantine have been
evaluated by using mathematical models for their effectiveness in mitigating the impact of a
pandemic (29,30) and may have potential beneficial effects. However, the models suggest that
substantial benefits of these measures require implementation with antiviral prophylaxis or
vaccines (29,30). The evidence for effectiveness of public health measures is limited and is based
primarily on experience in industrialized countries (31,32). For example, handwashing and hand
hygiene have been highly publicized as a core management strategy for avian and pandemic
influenza in developing countries (33). Although handwashing is effective in reducing the
incidence of common diseases such as acute respiratory infections (34), data on its effectiveness
specifically for community-acquired influenza infections are limited (31). Recommendations on
nonpharmaceutical interventions have been based on available evidence (35). Accumulation of
further scientific evidence for these measures, which can be implemented at a low cost, is urgently
required..."
http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/14/6/pdfs/07-0839.pdf