The public health and health system response in China to 2019-nCoV is visible to everyone via TV, news, their own reports, etc.
•They are openly sharing data and info - unprecedented
•They closed down whole cities
•The use of personal protection equipment by HCW is visible
•They are openly sharing data and info - unprecedented
•They closed down whole cities
•The use of personal protection equipment by HCW is visible
•HCW are being mobilized from all over the country to manage this outbreak.
They are NOT responding to this as “it’s just a cold”. Emerging zoonotic communicable diseases are public health concerns.
They are NOT responding to this as “it’s just a cold”. Emerging zoonotic communicable diseases are public health concerns.
The response from WHO in holding meeting after meeting to evaluate the situation and then finally declare a global emergency - again, is not an “it’s just a cold” response.
Well resourced systems in the more developed countries have robust entry screening, isolation/quarantine processes, etc to make an effort to stay ahead of the outbreak. Setting the net wide too capture suspected cases, test and manage + prevent spread has been seen.
Poorly resources countries don’t do so well. Our processes and protocols - case definition criteria, screening and testing, etc - are being restricted by our limitations in facilities and infrastructure.
While others make an effort to ensure that those closer to case definitions are screened, tested and isolated, low resource countries are left with screening, testing and isolating a narrower definition of cases. This smaller net, allows potential cases to be missed.
The under prepared and low resourced systems do not have designated screening facilities. The suspected cases - by themselves or after guidance, still have to arrive at public healthcare facilities for screening and testing. Designated sites help prevent spread.
While it’s a blessing that about 70-80% (by most accounts) of these cases are relatively mild acute respiratory infections, the same innocent presentation will allow for it to spread. They are too mild to be stay at home, to seek care, to be assessed/tested, etc.
In an emerging new disease, and one that is communicable, existing infrastructure, human capacity, disaster preparedness, contingency, etc, are important. It’s clear to see that difference: the response of a developed system like many in the west, versus others.
