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Author(s): Raman Baweja [sup.1] , Sierra L. Brown [sup.1] , Erin M. Edwards [sup.1] , Michael J. Murray [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.29857.31, 0000 0001 2097 4281, Department of Psychiatry [...], The COVID-19 infectious disease pandemic has caused significant fear and uncertainty around the world and had significant adverse psychological impact. Children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are a particularly vulnerable population, impacted by stay-at-home orders, closures at nonessential services, and social distancing standards. This commentary describes various challenges faced by individuals with ASD in the United States including disruptions caused by educational and vocational changes, challenges to home and leisure routines, limited access to behavioral health services and changes in health services delivery due to the pandemic. We highlight the need for ongoing skills development for individuals and development within systems to better respond to needs of the ASD population in future emergencies.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) continues to address many outbreaks and health emergencies, with high morbidity and mortality and major socioeconomic disruptions leading to loss of productivity and [...]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) blindsided the world. It exposed gaps in public health emergency planning at every level, including in the strategic planning to support mental health and wellness. Studies [...]

Problem Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a zoonotic viral infection that probably first occurred, in late 2002, in the south of Chinas Guangdong province. (1) Although the syndrome eventually spread [...], Problem In 2003, China's handling of the early stages of the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was heavily criticized and generally considered to be suboptimal. Approach Following the SARS outbreak, China made huge investments to improve surveillance, emergency preparedness and response capacity and strengthen public health institutions. In 2013, the return on these investments was evaluated by investigating China's early response to the emergence of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in humans. Local setting Clusters of human infection with a novel influenza virus were detected in China--by national surveillance of pneumonia of unknown etiology--on 26 February 2013. Relevant changes On 31 March 2013, China notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of the first recorded human infections with A(H7N9) virus. Poultry markets--which were rapidly identified as a major source of transmission of A(H7N9) to humans-- were closed down in the affected areas. Surveillance in humans and poultry was heightened and technical guidelines were quickly updated and disseminated. The health authorities collaborated with WHO in risk assessments and risk communication. New cases were reported promptly and publicly. Lessons learnt The relevant infrastructures, surveillance systems and response capacity need to be strengthened in preparation for future emergencies caused by emerging or existing disease threats. Results of risk assessments and other data should be released promptly and publicly and such release should not jeopardize future publication of the data in scientific journals. Coordination between public health and veterinary services would be stronger during an emergency if these services had already undertaken joint preparedness planning. Probleme En 2003, la gestion des premiers stades de l'epidemie du syndrome respiratoire aigu severe (SRAS) par la Chine a ete fortement critiquee et generalement consideree comme non optimale. Approche Apres l'epidemie de SRAS, la Chine a investi massivement pour ameliorer sa surveillance, sa preparation aux situations d'urgence et sa capacite de reponse, et pour renforcer les etablissements de sante publique. En 2013, le retour sur ces investissements a ete evalue par l'examen de la reponse precoce de la Chine a l'emergence du virus de la grippe aviaire A(H7N9) chez l'homme. Environnement local Des cas d'infection humaine au nouveau virus de la grippe ont ete detectes en Chine le 26 fevrier 2013 par le systeme de surveillance nationale des pneumonies d'etiologie inconnue. Changements significatifs Le 31 mars 2013, la Chine a notifie a l'Organisation mondiale de la Sante (OMS) les premieres infections humaines au virus A(H7N9) enregistrees. Les marches de volaille qui ont ete rapidement identifies comme des sources majeures de transmission du virus A(H7N9) a l'homme--ont ete fermes dans les zones touchees. La surveillance a ete renforcee chez l'homme et les volailles, et les recommandations techniques ont ete rapidement mises a jour et diffusees. Les autorites sanitaires ont collabore avec l'OMS dans les domaines de l'evaluation des risques et de la communication des risques. Les nouveaux cas ont ete signales rapidement et publiquement. Lecons tirees Les infrastructures concernees, les systemes de surveillance et la capacite de reponse doivent etre renforces en prevision des futures urgences causees par les menaces de maladies emergentes ou existantes. Les resultats des evaluations des risques et les autres donnees doivent etre communiques rapidement et publiquement, et ces communications ne doivent pas compromettre la publication ulterieure des donnees dans les revues scientifiques. La coordination entre les services de sante publique et les services veterinaires serait plus forte pendant une situation d'urgence si ces services avaient deja engage une planification prealable commune. Situacion En 2003, la gestion de China de las primeras etapas de la epidemia del sindrome respiratorio agudo severo (SRAS) se critico duramente y se considero Insuficiente por lo general. Enfoque Tras el brote de SRAS, China realizo grandes inversiones para mejorar la vigilancia, la preparacion para emergencias y la capacidad de respuesta, asi como para fortalecer las instituciones de salud publica. En 2013, se evaluo la rentabilidad de estas Inversiones mediante una investigacion sobre la respuesta temprana de China a la aparicion del virus de la gripe aviar A(H7N9) en humanos. Marco regional El 26 de febrero de 2013 se detectaron grupos de infecciones humanas con el nuevo virus de la gripe en China mediante la vigilancia nacional de la neumonia de etiologia desconocida. Cambios importantes El 31 de marzo de 2013, China comunico a la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud (OMS) las primeras infecciones humanas del virus A(H7N9) registradas. Los mercados de aves de corral, que se identificaron de inmediato como una fuente importante de transmision del virus A(H7N9) a los humanos, se cerraron en las zonas afectadas. Se reforzo la vigilancia en humanos y aves de corral a la vez que se actualizaron y difundieron las directrices tecnicas con rapidez. Las autoridades de salud colaboraron con la OMS en la evaluacion de los riesgos y la comunicacion de los riesgos. De inmediato, se anunciaron los nuevos casos publicamente. Lecciones aprendidas Deben reforzarse las infraestructuras pertinentes, los sistemas de vigilancia y la capacidad de respuesta como preparacion a las futuras emergencias causadas por la amenaza de enfermedades nuevas o existentes. Los resultados de las evaluaciones de riesgo y el resto de datos deben divulgarse rapida y publicamente, pero dicha divulgacion no debe poner en peligro la futura publicacion de los datos en las revistas cientificas. La coordinacion entre la salud publica y los servicios veterinarios seria mas fuerte durante una emergencia si estos servicios planificaran de antemano la preparacion conjunta.

Historical Background Influenza pandemics occur when an animal influenza virus to which humans have no or limited immunity acquires the ability, through genetic reassortment or mutation, to cause sustained human-to-human [...]

Introduction Two major environmental health events occurred in Pennsylvania that had a profound effect on the direction taken by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) during the 1990s and subsequent [...], This article reviews significant environmental health projects conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, particularly the Division of Environmental Health, during the 1990s and the following decade. The authors describe lessons learned from a new occupational health initiative, continuing work on the health assessment grant funded by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and a new Environmental Public Health Tracking grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition to emerging issues during these two decades.