Investigating outbreaks of initially unknown aetiology in complex settings: findings and recommendations from 10 case studies.

Background: Outbreaks of unknown aetiology in complex settings pose challenges and there is little information about investigation methods. We reviewed investigations into such outbreaks to identify methods favouring or impeding identification of the cause.

Methods: We used two approaches: reviewing scientific literature and soliciting key informants.

A State-of-the-Science Review of Mercury Biomarkers in Human Populations Worldwide between 2000 and 2018.

Background: The Minamata Convention on Mercury provided a mandate for action against global mercury pollution. However, our knowledge of mercury exposures is limited because there are many regions and subpopulations with little or no data.

Objective: We aimed to increase worldwide understanding of human exposures to mercury by collecting, collating, and analyzing mercury concentrations in biomarker samples reported in the published scientific literature.

A promising poison information centre model for Africa.

Introduction: The burden of poisoning exposures in Africa is a significant public health concern, yet only ten African countries have poisons information centres. The establishment of poisons centres was subsequently identified as a priority. This article focuses on workshop discussions with international multi-sector stakeholders in Eastern Africa regarding the possibility of a sub-regional poisons centre serving multiple countries.

Mass lead intoxication from informal used lead-acid battery recycling in dakar, senegal.

Background And Objectives: Between November 2007 and March 2008, 18 children died from a rapidly progressive central nervous system disease of unexplained origin in a community involved in the recycling of used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal. We investigated the cause of these deaths.

Methods: Because autopsies were not possible, the investigation centered on clinical and laboratory assessments performed on 32 siblings of deceased children and 23 mothers and on 18 children and 8 adults living in the same area, complemented by environmental health investigations.

Developing and maintaining quality in poisons information centers.

The development of poisons information centers has in general complied with the actual needs and conditions in the society, and a pragmatic approach and limited funds have been characteristic for these units. To operate in a satisfying way a poisons information center is dependent on two cornerstones-a well educated and specifically trained staff on the one hand, and reliable, up-dated and easily manageable information sources on the other. Once a poisons information service has started to operate, it must more or less instantly launch a process to develop and continuously check the standards and the quality of the service.