Designing and validating a One Health Research Translation Framework through literature-based case studies in Egypt.

Within One Health, research translation is a dynamic process involving collaboration and communication between the human, animal, and environmental health sectors to create and apply research findings to address health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. Research translation is essential for the creation of evidence-based policies and programs for the prevention and control of infectious diseases and other health threats, and thus is an important component of a robust national capacity to effectively prevent, control, and mitigate biological incidents. However, there is a lack of conceptual guidance and training materials for research translation in a One Health context.

Incidence and Seroprevalence of Avian Influenza in a Cohort of Backyard Poultry Growers, Egypt, August 2015-March 2019.

Currently enzootic avian influenza H5N1, H9N2, and H5N8 viruses were introduced into poultry in Egypt in 2006, 2011, and 2016, respectively. Infections with H5N1 and H9N2 were reported among poultry-exposed humans. We followed 2,402 persons from households raising backyard poultry from 5 villages in Egypt during August 2015-March 2019.

Evaluating tools to define influenza baseline and threshold values using surveillance data, Egypt, season 2016/17.

Background: Establishing influenza thresholds and transmission intensity can help evaluate seasonal changes in influenza severity and potential pandemics. We aimed to evaluate the moving epidemic method (MEM) for calculating influenza thresholds for season 2016/17 in Egypt using four parameters, to identify the most useful parameter. Also to measure the agreement between both the country-specific statistical empirical method and World Health Organization method to MEM for determining the length and intensity level of activity of the influenza season.

Evidence of sustained reductions in the relative risk of acute hepatitis B and C virus infections, and the increasing burden of hepatitis a virus infection in Egypt: comparison of sentinel acute viral hepatitis surveillance results, 2001-17.

Background: Egypt ranks fifth for the burden of viral hepatitis worldwide. As part of Egypt's renewed national strategy for the elimination of viral hepatitis, surveillance for acute viral hepatitis (AVH) was re-established during 2014-2017 to describe the current epidemiology and associated risk factors, and changes from surveillance conducted during 2001-2004.

Methods: Patients with suspected AVH were enrolled, completed a questionnaire, and provided blood for testing for hepatitis viruses A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV), D, and E (HEV) infections by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The application of Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool to assess health inequity among dwellers of an urban slum area in Giza Governorate, Egypt.

Background: The WHO in 2008 developed the Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool. It is a user-friendly guide for stakeholders and decision makers at national and local levels to identify health inequities. Moreover, using such tool will facilitate decisions on viable and effective strategies, interventions, and actions that should be used to reduce health inequities.

Biological characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses that infected humans in Egypt in 2014-2015.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 influenza viruses emerged as a human pathogen in 1997 with expected potential to undergo sustained human-to-human transmission and pandemic viral spread. HPAI H5N1 is endemic in Egyptian poultry and has caused sporadic human infection. The first outbreak in early 2006 was caused by clade 2.

Cross-sectional survey and surveillance for influenza viruses and MERS-CoV among Egyptian pilgrims returning from Hajj during 2012-2015.

Background: Approximately 80 000 Egyptians participate in Hajj pilgrimage annually. The purpose of this study was to estimate influenza virus and MERS-CoV prevalence among Egyptian pilgrims returning from Hajj.

Study: A cross-sectional survey among 3 364 returning Egyptian pilgrims from 2012 to 2015 was conducted.

Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Egypt.

In Egypt, avian influenza A subtype H5N1 and H9N2 viruses are enzootic in poultry. The control plan devised by veterinary authorities in Egypt to prevent infections in poultry focused mainly on vaccination and ultimately failed. Recently, widespread H5N1 infections in poultry and a substantial increase in the number of human cases of H5N1 infection were observed.

Increased Number of Human Cases of Influenza Virus A(H5N1) Infection, Egypt, 2014-15.

During November 2014-April 2015, a total of 165 case-patients with influenza virus A(H5N1) infection, including 6 clusters and 51 deaths, were identified in Egypt. Among infected persons, 99% reported poultry exposure: 19% to ill poultry and 35% to dead poultry. Only 1 person reported wearing personal protective equipment while working with poultry.

Incidence and clinical features of respiratory syncytial virus infections in a population-based surveillance site in the Nile Delta Region.

Background: Most reports about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in developing countries rely on sentinel surveillance, from which population incidence is difficult to infer. We used the proportion of RSV infections from population-based surveillance with data from a healthcare utilization survey to produce estimates of RSV incidence in Damanhour district, Egypt.

Methods: We conducted population-based surveillance in 3 hospitals (2009-2012) and 3 outpatient clinics (2011-2012) in Damanhour district.

A molecular investigative approach to an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Egypt, October 2010.

Background: During October 2010, Egypt reported an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC). A total of 1831 cases were reported from three governorates; 1703 cases in El Daqahliya, 92 cases in Port Said, and 36 in Damietta. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the causative agent associated with this outbreak.

Burden of Aeromonas hydrophila-associated diarrhea among children younger than 2 years in rural Egyptian community.

Introduction: Between 2004 and 2007, a birth cohort of Egyptian children was analysed to evaluate the epidemiology of enteric diseases.

Methodology: A stool sample was collected from the study children every two weeks as well as whenever they experienced diarrhea. Samples were tested for routine bacterial pathogens as well as enteropathogenic viruses and parasites.

Microevolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses isolated from humans, Egypt, 2007-2011.

We analyzed highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses isolated from humans infected in Egypt during 2007-2011. All analyzed viruses evolved from the lineage of subtype H5N1 viruses introduced into Egypt in 2006; we found minimal evidence of reassortment and no exotic introductions. The hemagglutinin genes of the viruses from 2011 formed a monophyletic group within clade 2.

Influenza surveillance in 15 countries in Africa, 2006-2010.

Background: In response to the potential threat of an influenza pandemic, several international institutions and governments, in partnership with African countries, invested in the development of epidemiologic and laboratory influenza surveillance capacity in Africa and the African Network of Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology (ANISE) was formed.

Methods: We used a standardized form to collect information on influenza surveillance system characteristics, the number and percent of influenza-positive patients with influenza-like illness (ILI), or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and virologic data from countries participating in ANISE.

Results: Between 2006 and 2010, the number of ILI and SARI sites in 15 African countries increased from 21 to 127 and from 2 to 98, respectively.

Poultry rearing and slaughtering practices in rural Egypt: an exploration of risk factors for H5N1 virus human transmission.

Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus continues to cause infections in Egypt. This study describes the practices associated with raising and slaughtering household poultry to identify risk factors for H5N1 infection and reasons for non-compliance with preventive measures.

Methods: An investigation was conducted of 56 households with household flocks (19 households with human H5N1 cases, 19 with poultry H5N1 cases, and 18 with no reported poultry or human H5N1 cases).