Technical Guidelines for Integrated Disease Surveillance ... - PHRplus

3. Identify areas or populations at high risk for the disease or condition. Review the data analysis to refine thedescription of the outbreak characteristics. Review at least the: Incidence rate for the outbreak disease Extent of risk factors for the outbreak disease. For example, look at the case investigation resultsfor information about the extent of unsafe delivery practices in a neonatal tetanus outbreak,unsafe food practices for diarrhoea, and the number of people who have forest-relatedoccupations during a yellow fever outbreak Rate of immunization coverage for the outbreak disease4. Alert nearby districts or catchment areas about the outbreak. If they are experiencing a similar outbreak,coordinate response efforts. For example, combine efforts to: Obtain supplies and resources Develop and/or disseminate health education messages and materials Conduct emergency immunization activities Transport specimens to reference laboratory for confirmation5. Review the lists of supplies and resources made by the epidemic response team. Use establishedprocedures to obtain emergency supplies and set them aside at the district and local levels for emergencyuse.6. If supplies are not available locally: Contact the regional office to find out where they might be obtained quickly Borrow from other services, activities or non-governmental organizations in your area Identify practical low-cost substitutes7. Assign clear responsibilities to individuals or units for specific response activities.8. Prepare and produce last-minute health education materials, and make sure the spokesperson is ready todeal with the media.9. Verify that health staff have the training and supplies needed to monitor the response, that is, to: Keep detailed records on the response activities, for example, a tally sheet of individualsimmunized; a list of the community education messages, communication channels and dates ofcommunity education activities; a list of individuals receiving bed nets Review data on cases, laboratory confirmation and treatment Identify problems and modify activities as necessary5.2.3 Implement response activitiesRefer to disease-specific guidelines in Section 9 for recommended responses. The response activitiesinclude thefollowing:Monitor case managementFill gaps in health staff skillsConduct emergency immunization campaignsEnhance surveillance during the response activityInform and educate the communityImprove access to clean waterSection 5: Respond to Outbreaks and Other Public Health Problems59