Enhancing Respiratory Disease Surveillance to Detect COVID-19 in Shelters for Displaced Persons, Thailand–Myanmar Border, 2020–2021
oleh: Barbara Knust, Nuttapong Wongjindanon, Aye Aye Moe, Lasantha Herath, Wiphan Kaloy, Thin Thin Soe, Preeyalak Sataranon, Htay Min Oo, Kyaw Zaw Myat, Zarni Win, Myo Htet, Min Htike, Banjong Sudhiprapha, Aye Aye Pyone, Thet Phyo Win, Hnin Zaw Win, Pongpun Sawatwong, Wanitda Watthanaworawit, Clare Ling, Sajith Gunaratne, Sai Aung Lynn, Leena Bhandari, Francois Nosten, Beth Skaggs
| Format: | Article |
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| Diterbitkan: | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2022-11-01 |
Deskripsi
We developed surveillance guidance for COVID-19 in 9 temporary camps for displaced persons along the Thailand–Myanmar border. Arrangements were made for testing of persons presenting with acute respiratory infection, influenza-like illness, or who met the Thailand national COVID-19 Person Under Investigation case definition. In addition, testing was performed for persons who had traveled outside of the camps in outbreak-affected areas or who departed Thailand as resettling refugees. During the first 18 months of surveillance, May 2020–October 2021, a total of 6,190 specimens were tested, and 15 outbreaks (i.e., >1 confirmed COVID-19 cases) were detected in 7 camps. Of those, 5 outbreaks were limited to a single case. Outbreaks during the Delta variant surge were particularly challenging to control. Adapting and implementing COVID-19 surveillance measures in the camp setting were successful in detecting COVID-19 outbreaks and preventing widespread disease during the initial phase of the pandemic in Thailand.