Question

olving the Problem - The Work of an Epidemiologist Alert and Response Operations Investigate alert and response operation of WHO Pay particular attention to: Epidemic intelligence - systematic event detection Event verification Information management and dissemination Real time alert Coordinated rapid outbreak response Public health logistics International Health Regulations Health Statistics and Information Where do we get the numbers? Investigate the WHO site on health information to better understand the following: Classifications and indicators Data collection tools Data analysis tools Statistics Monitoring and evaluation Civil regulations and vital statistics Careers in Epidemiology Now that you have learned a lot about what epidemiology is, investigate what a career in epidemiology would entail. Submit a draft of the written report of your project.

Answer 1

WHO continues to track the evolving infectious disease situation, sound the alarm when needed, share expertise, and mount the kind of response needed to protect populations from the consequences of epidemics, whatever and wherever might be their origin.

Epidemic intelligence - systematic event detection

WHO global alert and response systematically gathers official reports and rumours of suspected outbreaks from a wide range of formal and informal sources. Formal reports of suspected outbreaks are received from ministries of health, national institutes of public health, WHO Regional and Country offices, WHO collaborating centres, civilian and military laboratories, academic institutes, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

In order to ensure a comprehensive picture of the epidemic threat to global health security, WHO also gathers epidemic intelligence from all informal sources. With the advent of modern communication technologies, many initial outbreak reports now originate in the electronic media and electronic discussion groups.

hemical events.

Event verification

Raw intelligence gleaned from all formal and informal sources is converted into meaningful intelligence by the WHO. Six main criteria are used to determine whether a reported disease event constitutes a cause for international concern:

·

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· unknown disease

· potential for spread beyond national borders

· serious health impact or unexpectedly high rates of illness or death

· potential for interference with international travel or trade

· strength of national capacity to contain the outbreak

· suspected accidental or deliberate release.

Each weekday morning, the Global Alert and Response team meets to review incoming reports and rumours, assess their epidemiological significance and decide on the actions needed. Information on these events is stored in an electronic event management system which records key information, decisions and actions by WHO and its partners.

On any given day, the Global Alert and Response Team, including WHO Country Offices, WHO sub-Regional Response Teams, WHO Regional Offices, the Alert and Response Operations Centre team in Geneva and disease specialists, is responsible for responding to around 20 incoming reports of suspected outbreaks, reports of unknown disease, outbreaks undergoing verification and outbreaks at various stages of containment.

Information management and dissemination

Disease Outbreak News

The WHO Disease Outbreak News provides public information about officially confirmed outbreaks of international importance. Disease Outbreak News is one of the most frequently accessed web pages on the WHO web site.

Weekly Epidemiological Record

The Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) is published in a bilingual French/English edition and issued in print and electronically. It covers epidemiological information on cases and outbreaks of diseases under the International Health Regulations (yellow fever, plague, cholera) and also on other communicable diseases of public health importance. An Outbreak News section has been added to the WER, mirroring the Disease Outbreak News web page.

Real time alert

WHO maintains and regularly updates a network of electronically-interconnected WHO member countries (192), disease experts, institutions, agencies, and laboratories. WHO also posts reports on verified outbreaks on its web site, Disease Outbreak News.

Epidemic intelligence, updates on verification and operations information to enhance operational readiness and communication are shared in confidence with members of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network in a secure environment.

Coordinated rapid outbreak response

WHO offers assistance to affected state(s) in the form of technical advice, supplies and in a number of cases by mounting coordinated international investigations/responses. These responses draw technical resources from within the WHO system and from the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) which is a collaboration of 110 technical institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and networks; it represents a pooled resource for alert and response operations.

Specific support available includes on-the-spot investigations, confirmation of diagnosis, handling of dangerous (biosafety level IV) pathogens, case detection, patient management, containment, and provision of logistics in the form of staff and supplies. Investigative teams from GOARN are prepared to arrive at an outbreak site within 24 hours.

The following list characterizes WHO's activities in outbreak response:

· Rapid, appropriate and effective assistance to affected state(s)

· Level of response geared to needs (epidemic potential + national capacity to contain)

· Daily response coordination meetings

· Field presence and coordination when needed

· Systematic communications and information management

Rapid detection and verification of health emergencies is essential to save lives. WHO’s global surveillance system picks up public health threats 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Once an event is verified, WHO assesses the level of risk and sounds the alarm to help protect populations from the consequences of outbreaks, disasters, conflict and other hazards.

Within 48 hours of an emergency, WHO:

• grades the severity of the event;
• activates the incident management system with a designated team functioning out of emergency operating centres in Geneva, and in the regional and country offices;
• releases funds from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies;
• deploys field teams and activates global stockpiles of essential supplies, including personal protective equipment, medicines, and vaccines;
• establishes network communication systems and base camps, where needed;  
• communicates the risk to the community and neighbouring countries through official International Health Regulations (2005) procedures, Disease Outbreak News and social media;
• activates the Global Health Cluster, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), emergency medical teams and standby partners.

Due to its diverse nature, epidemiology work environments can vary widely, but no matter the occupational setting, epidemiologists typically work to align evidence with real-world problems and reveal new ways to resolve public health issues around the globe.

Epidemiologists are typically employed at health departments for state and local governments in offices and laboratories. Epidemiologists are hired at hospitals, colleges, universities and federal government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Private organizations, such as CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, also employ epidemiologists.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest employers of epidemiologists are: 1

• State government, excluding education and hospitals — 34%
• Local government, excluding education and hospitals — 19%
• Hospitals; state, local, and private— 15%
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private — 10%
• Scientific research and development services — 10%

Epidemiologists conduct research and work to improve health in the following areas:

• Infectious diseases
• Bioterrorism/emergency response
• Maternal and child health
• Chronic diseases
• Environmental health
• Injury
• Occupational health
• Substance abuse
• Oral health