Quantifying the influence of climate, host and change in land-use patterns on occurrence of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and development of spatial risk map for India.

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), is an emerging zoonosis globally and in India. The present study focused on identifying the risk factors for occurrence of CCHF in the Indian state of Gujarat and development of risk map for India. The past CCHF outbreaks in India were collated for the analyses.

India Field Epidemiology Training Program Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2021.

The India Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) has played a critical role in India's response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During March 2020-June 2021, a total of 123 FETP officers from across 3 training hubs were deployed in support of India's efforts to combat COVID-19. FETP officers have successfully mitigated the effect of COVID-19 on persons in India by conducting cluster outbreak investigations, performing surveillance system evaluations, and developing infection prevention and control tools and guidelines.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Indore, Madhya Pradesh: A community-based cross-sectional study, August 2020.

Background: In India, laboratory diagnosis of SARS - CoV-2 infection has been mostly based on real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Studies have shown that Viral titres peak within the first week of symptoms but may decline later hampering RT-PCR-based diagnostic strategies. Exact estimate is difficult under high-risk screening strategy with evidences of having large number of asymptomatic cases.

Experience of setting up of Control room for COVID-19 at NCDC, New Delhi.

Significant public health events of the 21 century include epidemic prone diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza A (H1N1), Ebola virus disease, and coronavirus (SARS-COV-2). Preparedness as well as risk mitigation strategies play an integral role for the success of responses to such health emergencies. An extraordinary cluster of cases of respiratory disease of unknown cause triggered a series of events that constituted a public health risk across the globe through international spread from China and was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January, 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and predictors of seropositivity among employees of a teaching hospital in New Delhi, India.

Objective: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to the increased likelihood of clinical exposure during patient management. The study objective was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and its predictors among hospital employees.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020 among 1,401 employees, including 1,217 HCWs, in New Delhi, India.

Measles outbreak among children ≤15 years old, Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, India, 2017.

Background: Of 1115 measles outbreaks during 2015 in India, 61,255 suspected measles cases were reported. In 2016, a measles outbreak was reported at East and West Jaintia Hills districts in Meghalaya State, India.

Objectives: The outbreak was investigated to describe the epidemiology, estimate vaccination coverage and vaccine effectiveness (VE), determine risk factors for the disease, and recommend control and prevention measures.

Disease surveillance during a large religious mass gathering in India: The Prayagraj Kumbh 2019 experience.

Background: Mass gathering (MG) events are associated with public health risks. During the period January 14 to March 4, 2019, Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India was attended by an estimated 120 million visitors. An onsite disease surveillance was established to identify and respond to disease outbreaks.

Public health surveillance during Simhastha Kumbh, a religious mass gathering in Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2016.

A daily surveillance for disease detection and response at the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, April-May 2016, was established. Existing weekly reporting of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) was modified to report 17 diseases or events from 22 public hospitals and three private hospitals in Ujjain. Water samples were also tested for fecal contamination in areas reporting diarrhea.

Mumps outbreak investigation in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, June-September 2016.

Mumps, a vaccine-preventable disease, cause inflammation of salivary glands and may cause severe complications, such as encephalitis, meningitis, deafness, and orchitis/oophoritis. In India, mumps vaccine is not included in the universal immunization program and during 2009 to 2014, 72 outbreaks with greater than 1500 cases were reported. In August 2016, a suspected mumps outbreak was reported in Jaisalmer block, Rajasthan.

Meso level multi-disciplinary approach for reduction of pre-treatment loss to follow-up in Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program, Delhi, India.

Background: Universal access to tuberculosis (TB) care services emphasizes early detection and initiation of treatment for all pulmonary TB patients. Pre-treatment loss to follow-up patients needs to be actively tracked and treated to break the chain of transmission in the community.

Objectives: MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire based cross sectional study of a sample of 340 patients who were pre-treatment loss to follow-up was conducted from November 2011 to March 2012 in Delhi.

Universal access to DOTS in Delhi Prisons: Where do we stand?

Background: Universal access implies that all tuberculosis (TB) patients in the community should have access to early, good quality diagnosis and treatment services that are affordable and convenient to the patient in time, place, and person. To achieve universal access, all affected vulnerable and marginalized population like prison inmates should have access to TB diagnostic and treatment services.

Objectives: To assess the TB control activities in prisons of Delhi, the capital of India, and to suggest interventions for strengthening the program based on the observations.

Treatment pathways of extrapulmonary patients diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi, India.

Background: In order to put extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients early on treatment, it is important to study pathways, which these patients adopt in for seeking treatment.

Materials And Methods: In order to study the treatment pathways of extrapulmonary patients and assess appropriate points for intervention, a cross-sectional study was conducted in chest clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Delhi.

Results: Factors associated with longer paths included reason for going to first health facility (nearness and known provider), availing more than one health facilities, presenting symptoms of fever, joint pain, nodular skin swelling and skin lesion.

A study of the impact of tuberculosis on the quality of life and the effect after treatment with DOTS.

A prospective study was conducted on 90 patients of tuberculosis at 2 directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) cum microscopy centers in an urban area of Delhi. The WHOQOL-BREF (Hindi) questionnaire was used to assess the QOL at the onset of treatment, after 3 months of treatment under DOTS, and at completion of treatment. Patients with tuberculosis had significantly lower mean scores than controls for overall QOL.

Assessment of mental health status of senior secondary school children in Delhi.

Background: Schoolchildren undergo rapid mental, emotional, and social changes and are susceptible to psychiatric disorders.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the mental health status and some determinants in senior secondary school children in Delhi.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 458 children, selected by 2-stage sampling.