Emerging infectious diseases
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Emerging Infect. Dis. · Nov 2011
Cholera prevention training materials for community health workers, Haiti, 2010–2011.
Stopping the spread of the cholera epidemic in Haiti required engaging community health workers (CHWs) in prevention and treatment activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated with the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population to develop CHW educational materials, train >1,100 CHWs, and evaluate training efforts.
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Emerging Infect. Dis. · Nov 2011
Travel Health Alert Notices and Haiti cholera outbreak, Florida, USA, 2011.
To enhance the timeliness of medical evaluation for cholera-like illness during the 2011 cholera outbreak in Hispaniola, printed Travel Health Alert Notices (T-HANs) were distributed to travelers from Haiti to the United States. Evaluation of the T-HANs’ influence on travelers’ health care–seeking behavior suggested T-HANs might positively influence health care–seeking behavior.
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Emerging Infect. Dis. · Nov 2011
Case ReportsInternational spread of MDR TB from Tugela Ferry, South Africa.
We describe a death associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV infection outside Africa that can be linked to Tugela Ferry (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), the town most closely associated with the regional epidemic of drug-resistant tuberculosis. This case underscores the international relevance of this regional epidemic, particularly among health care workers.
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Emerging Infect. Dis. · Nov 2011
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to treatment and prevention of cholera, Haiti, 2010.
In response to the recent cholera outbreak, a public health response targeted high-risk communities, including resource-poor communities in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A survey covering knowledge and practices indicated that hygiene messages were received and induced behavior change, specifically related to water treatment practices. Self-reported household water treatment increased from 30.3% to 73.9%.
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Emerging Infect. Dis. · Nov 2011
Rapid development and use of a nationwide training program for cholera management, Haiti, 2010.
When epidemic cholera appeared in Haiti in October 2010, the medical community there had virtually no experience with the disease and needed rapid training as the epidemic spread throughout the country. We developed a set of training materials specific to Haiti and launched a cascading training effort. ⋯ After the training, the hospitalized cholera patients' case-fatality rate dropped from 4% to <2% by mid-December and was <1% by January 2011. Continuing in-service training, monitoring and evaluation, and integration of cholera management into regular clinical training will help sustain this success.