A SARS-CoV-2 Omicron outbreak among crew members on a cruise ship in Germany in early 2022.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks on cruise ships have rarely been investigated. In early 2022, we were informed about a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on a cruise ship calling Port of Hamburg after 10 infections among crew members were detected. We conducted an outbreak investigation in collaboration between ship owners, the ship physician and Hamburg's Institute for Hygiene and Environment, to identify risk factors and to achieve containment.

[Virtual staff teamwork during the pandemic - development of digital training formats for community emergency response during the coronavirus pandemic].

Background: In the event of emergency response to large-scale incidents, such as a mass casualty incident (MCI) or a mass casualty incident-infectious disease (MCI-ID), regular training is essential in order to have experienced emergency personnel available in the event of an incident. Due to the pandemic drills often had to be cancelled or were only possible with small groups of people. It was often not possible to simulate a large-scale emergency with actors, so that the trainees could not be offered realistic scenarios of a mass casualty or disease incident.

Accidents, diseases and health complaints among seafarers on German-flagged container ships.

Background: For seafarers on the high seas health hazards are various and due to the setting also specific. The spectrum of job-related health impairments and accidents is mainly influenced by the maritime characteristics. The aim of this study is to assess the kind of accidents and the frequency of diseases and health complaints among seafarers on German container ships by evaluating medical log books.

A mass casualty incident of infectious diseases at the port of Hamburg: an analysis of organizational structures and emergency concepts.

Background: The project "ARMIHN" (Adaptive Resiliency Management in Port) focuses on strengthening the capability to act in a mass casualty incident (MCI) due to an outbreak of infectious diseases (MCI-ID). In addition to the current threat from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated outbreaks on cruise ships, previous MCI-ID were especially caused by pathogens such as Influenza virus or Norovirus. The first step was, to get an overview of processes and resources using the example of the Port of Hamburg, and to show the associated interaction of involved parties.

[Prevention and management of COVID-19 outbreaks on merchant ships].

Background: A pandemic is a particular medical challenge for seafarers traveling without a physician on board. At the same time the global fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has to rely on resilient merchant shipping in order to maintain the flow of goods. For infection prevention and management on board, those responsible need a portfolio of protective measures that can be used on ships.

[Air and maritime transport during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: challenges for the public health service].

COVID-19 has been challenging our society since January 2020. Due to global travel, the new coronavirus has rapidly spread worldwide. This article aims to provide an overview of the challenges in implementing measures in the air and maritime transport sector from the perspective of the German Public Health Service (Öffentlicher Gesundheitsdienst, ÖGD).

Detection of imported COVID-19 cases worldwide: early assessment of airport entry screening, 24 January until 17 February 2020.

The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of entry screening measures applied at airports in response to the COVID-19 epidemic worldwide. Between 24 January and 17 February 2020, 5.2% (95% CI 3.

[Comparability of studies of epidemiological research on aging : Results from the Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study (LUCAS) and three representative Hamburg cross-sectional studies of healthy aging].

Background: Participants of the Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study (LUCAS) were recruited from patients 60 years and older from general practitioner's offices in Hamburg. This is different from the usual methods of drawing representative samples.

Objectives: The research question addressed the comparability of LUCAS results with those from cross-sectional surveys with participants randomly chosen from a population list.

Case-case study of a Salmonella outbreak: an epidemiologic method to analyse surveillance data.

Routine infectious disease surveillance data has to be analysed quickly in order to prevent further disease transmission. This can be done by using epidemiological studies, such as case-control studies. However, these studies are complex to perform and susceptible for biases.