Communicable Disease Surveillance Systems in Disasters: Application of the Input, Process, Product, and Outcome Framework for Performance Assessment.

Objective: One of the most important measures following disasters is setting up a communicable disease surveillance system (CDSS). This study aimed to develop indicators to assess the performance of CDSSs in disasters.

Method: In this 3-phase study, firstly a qualitative study was conducted through in-depth, semistructured interviews with experts on health in disasters and emergencies, health services managers, and communicable diseases center specialists.

A five-year study on the epidemiological approaches to cholera in Iran.

Background: Cholera is considered a key indicator of social development but still is reported in various cities of Iran. The present study aimed to analyze the available information regarding cholera outbreaks since 2010 in Iran.

Methods: All cases reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Ministry of Health and Education who had been confirmed as cholera cases by the Health Reference Laboratory, were entered into this study since 2010.

The new nano-complex, Hep-c, improves the immunogenicity of the hepatitis B vaccine.

Prevention of hepatitis B requires a vaccine that stimulates the humoral and cellular immune responses in a balanced manner, particularly those associated with Th1 and cytotoxic T cells. Alum adjuvant is currently used in the hepatitis B vaccine formulations but it lacks the efficiency of establishing such immune responses. Therefore, for accessing a suitable vaccine to prevent this fatal disease, it is essential to design and construct a new adjuvant which can overcome the limitations of the alum adjuvant and can stimulate a strong Th1 response as used along with it.