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TropicalMed
Special Issues
Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases
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Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases

A special issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (ISSN 2414-6366). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2023) | Viewed by 12703

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tianmu Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
Interests: mathematical modeling; public health; response strategies; respiratory infectious diseases; intestinal infectious diseases; vector-borne diseases
Dr. Yan Niu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
Interests: infectious disease; public health; epidemiology
Dr. Li Qi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400016, China
Interests: enterovirus; norovirus; caliciviridae infections; COVID-19; human influenza; epidemic model;
Dr. Ze-Yu Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
Interests: shigellosis; COVID-19; hepatitis C; monkeypox; infectious disease; modeling
Kaiwei Luo

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changsha, China
Interests: COVID-19; infectious disease control and prevention

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, outbreaks and epidemics of emerging infectious diseases have posed a great threat to people’s health and social stability. For example, COVID-19, has now caused a cumulative number of over 600 million infections worldwide, including more than 6.54 million fatal cases. In addition, emerging infectious diseases such as monkeypox, Ebola, and MERS have also brought a serious disease burden to global public health. Currently, the response measures and strategies for these emerging infectious diseases mainly include non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as isolation and social distancing, and pharmaceutical interventions (PIs), such as vaccination. However, there are still many unanswered questions in the research on response strategies for emerging infectious diseases, such as innovative evaluation of interventions, disease control, research on mathematical models of infectious diseases, characteristics of disease transmission across populations, and global health awareness.

The Special Issue entitled: "Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases" will submit manuscripts corresponding to research on response strategies and prevention and control measures for emerging infectious diseases with the aim of improving public health prevention and control. Therefore, we sincerely welcome colleagues working in any field related to the study of response strategies for emerging infectious diseases to submit their work for publication in this thematic issue.

Emerging infectious diseases that we address include, but are not limited to:

  1. Respiratory infectious diseases: novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), seasonal influenza, pandemic influenza, avian influenza, tuberculosis, mumps, chickenpox, etc.
  2. Intestinal infectious diseases: viral hepatitis E, shigellosis, norovirus disease, hand, foot, and mouth disease, etc.
  3. Contact, blood, and sexually transmitted diseases: monkeypox, Ebola virus disease, HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis C, etc.
  4. Vector-borne diseases: dengue fever, chikungunya fever, malaria, scrub typhus, fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, etc.

Dr. Tianmu Chen
Dr. Yan Niu
Dr. Li Qi
Dr. Ze-Yu Zhao
Kaiwei Luo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 173 KiB  
Editorial
Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases: More Efforts Are Needed
by Yuhao Lin and Tianmu Chen
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(8), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8080404 - 08 Aug 2023
Viewed by 919
Abstract
In recent years, emerging infectious disease outbreaks have placed significant health and socioeconomic burdens upon the population [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

11 pages, 278 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Factors Influencing the Clinical Severity of Omicron and Delta Variants
by Shanlu Zhao, Kaiwei Luo, Yichao Guo, Mingli Fang, Qianlai Sun, Zhihui Dai, Hao Yang, Zhifei Zhan, Shixiong Hu, Tianmu Chen and Xiaojun Li
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(6), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8060330 - 20 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1135
Abstract
The Omicron variant is the dominant strain circulating globally, and studies have shown that Omicron cases have milder symptoms than Delta cases. This study aimed to analyze the factors that affect the clinical severity of Omicron and Delta variants, evaluate and compare the [...] Read more.
The Omicron variant is the dominant strain circulating globally, and studies have shown that Omicron cases have milder symptoms than Delta cases. This study aimed to analyze the factors that affect the clinical severity of Omicron and Delta variants, evaluate and compare the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines with different technological platforms, and assess the vaccine effectiveness against different variants. We retrospectively collected the basic information of all local COVID-19 cases reported by Hunan Province to the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System from January 2021 to February 2023, including gender, age, clinical severity, and COVID-19 vaccination history. From 1 January 2021 to 28 February 2023, Hunan Province reported a total of 60,668 local COVID-19 cases, of which, 134 were infected with the Delta variant and 60,534 were infected with the Omicron variant. The results showed that infection with the Omicron variant (adjusted OR (aOR): 0.21, 95% CI: 0.14–0.31), getting vaccinated (booster immunization vs. unvaccinated aOR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.23–0.39) and being female (aOR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.79–0.85) were protective factors for pneumonia, while old age (≥60 years vs. <3 years aOR: 4.58, 95% CI: 3.36–6.22) was a risk factor for pneumonia. Being vaccinated (booster immunization vs. unvaccinated aOR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.09–0.15) and female (aOR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.50–0.59) were protective factors for severe cases, while older age (≥60 years vs. < 3 years aOR: 4.95, 95% CI: 1.83–13.39) was a risk factor for severe cases. The three types of vaccines had protective effects on both pneumonia and severe cases, and the protective effect on severe cases was better than that on pneumonia. The recombinant subunit vaccine booster immunization had the best protective effect on pneumonia and severe cases, with ORs of 0.29 (95% CI: 0.2–0.44) and 0.06 (95% CI: 0.02–0.17), respectively. The risk of pneumonia from Omicron variant infection was lower than that from Delta. Chinese-produced vaccines had protective effects on both pneumonia and severe cases, with recombinant subunit vaccines having the best protective effect on pneumonia and severe pneumonia cases. Booster immunization should be advocated in COVID-19 pandemic-related control and prevention policies, especially for the elderly, and booster immunization should be accelerated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases)
16 pages, 3303 KiB  
Article
Clinical Diagnosis of Chikungunya Infection: An Essential Aid in a Primary Care Setting Where Serological Confirmation Is Not Available
by Juan C. Rueda, Ingris Peláez-Ballestas, Jose-Ignacio Angarita, Ana M. Santos, Carlos Pinzon, Eugenia-Lucia Saldarriaga, Jorge M. Rueda, Elias Forero, Diego L. Saaibi, Paula X. Pavía, Marta Juliana Mantilla, Gustavo Rodríguez-Salas, Juan Camilo Santacruz, Igor Rueda, Mario H. Cardiel and John Londono
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(4), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8040213 - 03 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2594
Abstract
Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) diagnosis has become a challenge for primary care physicians in areas where the Zika virus and/or Dengue virus are present. Case definitions for the three arboviral infections overlap. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out. A bivariate analysis was [...] Read more.
Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) diagnosis has become a challenge for primary care physicians in areas where the Zika virus and/or Dengue virus are present. Case definitions for the three arboviral infections overlap. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out. A bivariate analysis was made using confirmed CHIKV infection as the outcome. Variables with significant statistical association were included in an agreement consensus. Agreed variables were analyzed in a multiple regression model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to determine a cut-off value and performance. Results: 295 patients with confirmed CHIKV infection were included. A screening tool was created using symmetric arthritis (4 points), fatigue (3 points), rash (2 points), and ankle joint pain (1 point). The ROC curve identified a cut-off value, and a score ≥ 5.5 was considered positive for identifying CHIKV patients with a sensibility of 64.4% and a specificity of 87.4%, positive predictive value of 85.5%, negative predictive value of 67.7%, area under the curve of 0.72, and an accuracy of 75%. Conclusion: We developed a screening tool for CHIKV diagnosis using only clinical symptoms as well as proposed an algorithm to aid the primary care physician. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases)
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18 pages, 4087 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Spread of COVID-19 with the Control of Mixed Vaccine Types during the Pandemic in Thailand
by Tanatorn Intarapanya, Apichat Suratanee, Sittiporn Pattaradilokrat and Kitiporn Plaimas
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(3), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8030175 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1522
Abstract
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can spread rapidly. Controlling the spread through vaccination is one of the measures for activating immunization that helps to reduce the number of infected people. Different types of vaccines are effective in preventing and alleviating the symptoms [...] Read more.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can spread rapidly. Controlling the spread through vaccination is one of the measures for activating immunization that helps to reduce the number of infected people. Different types of vaccines are effective in preventing and alleviating the symptoms of the disease in different ways. In this study, a mathematical model, SVIHR, was developed to assess the behavior of disease transmission in Thailand by considering the vaccine efficacy of different vaccine types and the vaccination rate. The equilibrium points were investigated and the basic reproduction number R0 was calculated using a next-generation matrix to determine the stability of the equilibrium. We found that the disease-free equilibrium point was asymptotically stable if, and only if, R0<1, and the endemic equilibrium was asymptotically stable if, and only if, R0>1. The simulation results and the estimation of the parameters applied to the actual data in Thailand are reported. The sensitivity of parameters related to the basic reproduction number was compared with estimates of the effectiveness of pandemic controls. The simulations of different vaccine efficacies for different vaccine types were compared and the average mixing of vaccine types was reported to assess the vaccination policies. Finally, the trade-off between the vaccine efficacy and the vaccination rate was investigated, resulting in the essentiality of vaccine efficacy to restrict the spread of COVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases)
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23 pages, 3560 KiB  
Article
A Strategy Formulation Framework for Efficient Screening during the Early Stage of a Pandemic
by Shuangyan Wang, Yuan Zhang, Qiang Zhang, Qibin Lu, Chengcheng Liu and Fangxin Yi
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(2), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8020078 - 21 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1279
Abstract
For viruses that can be transmitted by contacts of people, efficiently screening infected individuals is beneficial for controlling outbreaks rapidly and avoiding widespread diffusion, especially during the early stage of a pandemic. The process of virus transmission can be described as virus diffusion [...] Read more.
For viruses that can be transmitted by contacts of people, efficiently screening infected individuals is beneficial for controlling outbreaks rapidly and avoiding widespread diffusion, especially during the early stage of a pandemic. The process of virus transmission can be described as virus diffusion in complex networks such as trajectory networks. We propose a strategy formulation framework (SFF) for generating various screening strategies to identify influential nodes in networks. We propose two types of metrics to measure the nodes’ influence and three types of screening modes. Then, we can obtain six combinations, i.e., six strategies. To verify the efficiencies of the strategies, we build a scenario model based on the multi-agent modelling. In this model, people can move according to their self-decisions, and a virtual trajectory network is generated by their contacts. We found that (1) screening people will have a better performance based on their contact paths if there is no confirmed case yet, and (2) if the first confirmed case has been discovered, it is better to screen people sequentially by their influences. The proposed SFF and strategies can provide support for decision makers, and the proposed scenario model can be applied to simulate and forecast the virus-diffusion process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases)
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16 pages, 1526 KiB  
Article
Retrospective Modeling of the Omicron Epidemic in Shanghai, China: Exploring the Timing and Performance of Control Measures
by Lishu Lou, Longyao Zhang, Jinxing Guan, Xiao Ning, Mengli Nie, Yongyue Wei and Feng Chen
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8010039 - 05 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2373
Abstract
Background: In late February 2022, the Omicron epidemic swept through Shanghai, and the Shanghai government responded to it by adhering to a dynamic zero-COVID strategy. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the Omicron epidemic in Shanghai to explore the timing [...] Read more.
Background: In late February 2022, the Omicron epidemic swept through Shanghai, and the Shanghai government responded to it by adhering to a dynamic zero-COVID strategy. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the Omicron epidemic in Shanghai to explore the timing and performance of control measures based on the eventual size and duration of the outbreak. Methods: We constructed an age-structured and vaccination-stratified SEPASHRD model by considering populations that had been detected or controlled before symptom onset. In addition, we retrospectively modeled the epidemic in Shanghai from 26 February 2022 to 31 May 2022 across four periods defined by events and interventions, on the basis of officially reported confirmed (58,084) and asymptomatic (591,346) cases. Results: According to our model fitting, there were about 785,123 positive infections, of which about 57,585 positive infections were symptomatic infections. Our counterfactual assessment found that precise control by grid management was not so effective and that citywide static management was still needed. Universal and enforced control by citywide static management contained 87.65% and 96.29% of transmission opportunities, respectively. The number of daily new and cumulative infections could be significantly reduced if we implemented static management in advance. Moreover, if static management was implemented in the first 14 days of the epidemic, the number of daily new infections would be less than 10. Conclusions: The above research suggests that dynamic zeroing can only be achieved when strict prevention and control measures are implemented as early as possible. In addition, a lot of preparation is still needed if China wants to change its strategy in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases)
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10 pages, 1923 KiB  
Article
A Dynamic Compartmental Model to Explore the Optimal Strategy of Varicella Vaccination: An Epidemiological Study in Jiangsu Province, China
by Xiang Sun, Chenxi Dai, Kai Wang, Yuanbao Liu, Xinye Jin, Congyue Wang, Yi Yin, Zhongxing Ding, Zhenzhen Lu, Weiming Wang, Zhiguo Wang, Fenyang Tang, Kaifa Wang and Zhihang Peng
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2023, 8(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8010017 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1711
Abstract
Varicella (chickenpox) is highly contagious among children and frequently breaks out in schools. In this study, we developed a dynamic compartment model to explore the optimal schedule for varicella vaccination in Jiangsu Province, China. A susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model was proposed to simulate the [...] Read more.
Varicella (chickenpox) is highly contagious among children and frequently breaks out in schools. In this study, we developed a dynamic compartment model to explore the optimal schedule for varicella vaccination in Jiangsu Province, China. A susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model was proposed to simulate the transmission of varicella in different age groups. The basic reproduction number was computed by the kinetic model, and the impact of three prevention factors was assessed through the global sensitivity analysis. Finally, the effect of various vaccination scenarios was qualitatively evaluated by numerical simulation. The estimated basic reproduction number was 1.831 ± 0.078, and the greatest contributor was the 5–10 year-old group (0.747 ± 0.042, 40.80%). Sensitivity analysis indicated that there was a strong negative correlation between the second dose vaccination coverage rate and basic reproduction number. In addition, we qualitatively found that the incidence would significantly decrease as the second dose vaccine coverage expands. The results suggest that two-dose varicella vaccination should be mandatory, and the optimal age of second dose vaccination is the 5–10 year-old group. Optimal vaccination time, wide vaccine coverage along with other measures, could enhance the effectiveness of prevention and control of varicella in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response Strategies for Emerging Infectious Diseases)
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