Publications by authors named "Tai-Ho Chen"

Article Synopsis
  • - Monkeypox virus (MPXV) can spread through direct contact with lesions, respiratory secretions, fomites, and even from the mother to fetus during pregnancy, leading to painful skin lesions in infected individuals.
  • - In 2021-2022, the CDC began investigating aircraft after reports of travelers with mpox, collecting data from a total of 113 infected individuals who traveled on 221 flights during their infectious period.
  • - Despite these investigations, no cases of mpox transmission were reported from flight exposures, suggesting air travel with an infected person poses minimal risk; however, the CDC still advises isolation for those infected and postponing travel until they are no longer contagious.
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To describe trends in the number of air travelers categorized as infectious with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; the virus that causes COVID-19) in the context of total US COVID-19 vaccinations administered, and overall case counts of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States. We searched the Quarantine Activity Reporting System (QARS) database for travelers with inbound international or domestic air travel, a positive SARS-CoV-2 lab result, and a surveillance categorization of SARS-CoV-2 infection reported during January 2020 to December 2021. Travelers were categorized as infectious during travel if they had arrival dates from 2 days before to 10 days after symptom onset or a positive viral test.

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Article Synopsis
  • Kenya's Ministry of Health and the US CDC Kenya have collaborated for 40 years to address various disease threats, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Together, they implemented joint activities to reduce COVID-19's impact on Kenya's population, including establishing emergency operations centers and enhancing surveillance and training programs.
  • The pandemic prompted the Kenyan government to launch a national public health institute in January 2022 to strengthen public health efforts against current and future health threats.
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School-related factors may influence retention in care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We analyzed data from in-depth interviews with 40 adolescents with HIV (aged 14 -19 years), 40 caregivers of adolescents with HIV, and 4 focus group discussions with healthcare workers to evaluate contextual factors affecting adherence to ART and clinic attendance among adolescents, with a focus on the school environment. Informed by Anderson's Model of Health Services Utilization, transcripts were systematically coded and synthesized to identify school-related themes.

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  • Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic infection mainly found in west and central Africa, caused by the Monkeypox virus, which is related to the smallpox virus.
  • After nearly four decades without cases in Nigeria, a significant outbreak occurred between 2017-2018, resulting in 118 confirmed infections, followed by sporadic cases, including six diagnoses in non-African countries between 2018 and 2021.
  • In July 2021, a traveler from Nigeria to Texas was diagnosed with monkeypox, with 74% of monitored contacts being flight contacts; the patient was treated with an antiviral and required decontamination, but the exact source of the infection remains unidentified.
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To improve holistic care for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), including integration of sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS), the Kenya Ministry of Health implemented an adolescent package of care (APOC). To inform optimized SRH service delivery, we sought to understand the experiences with SRHS for ALHIV, their primary caregivers, and health care workers (HCWs) following APOC implementation. We completed a mixed methods evaluation to characterize SRHS provided and personal experiences with access and uptake using surveys conducted with facility managers from 102 randomly selected large HIV treatment facilities throughout Kenya.

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Background: Balancing the control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission with the resumption of travel is a global priority. Current recommendations include mitigation measures before, during, and after travel. Pre- and post-travel strategies including symptom monitoring, antigen or nucleic acid amplification testing, and quarantine can be combined in multiple ways considering different trade-offs in feasibility, adherence, effectiveness, cost, and adverse consequences.

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  • The Kenyan HIV treatment program has significantly improved survival rates among people living with HIV (PLHIV), while noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a major health concern over the past decade.
  • A study reviewed medical records from over 3,000 HIV-infected adults to assess the prevalence and incidence of four major NCDs: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
  • Findings revealed that 11.5% of PLHIV had a documented NCD, with elevated blood pressure being the most common, yet only a small fraction had a diagnosis of hypertension in their records; men were found to have a higher incidence rate of NCDs compared to women.
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  • The 2014-15 Ebola outbreak in West Africa was controlled, but subsequent infections occurred, including a significant 2015 cluster in Liberia linked to a 15-year-old boy.
  • Investigations revealed that the recent cases were related to a virus lineage from the earlier outbreak, indicating possible transmission from a survivor of the 2014 outbreak who experienced viral persistence.
  • The findings emphasize the risks of future Ebola outbreaks from previously infected individuals who can carry the virus long-term and potentially spread it to others.
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In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted conveyance contact investigations for 2 Middle East respiratory syndrome cases imported into the United States, comprising all passengers and crew on 4 international and domestic flights and 1 bus. Of 655 contacts, 78% were interviewed; 33% had serologic testing. No secondary cases were identified.

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Background: Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne alphavirus which causes an acute febrile illness associated with polyarthralgia. Beginning in August 2013, clinicians from the Yap State Department of Health in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) identified an unusual cluster of illness which was subsequently confirmed to be chikungunya virus disease. Chikungunya virus disease previously had not been recognized in FSM.

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During December 2015-January 2016, the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDoH) detected through surveillance an increase in the number of cases of acute febrile rash illness. Concurrently, a case of laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection, a mosquito-borne flavivirus infection documented to cause microcephaly and other severe brain defects in some infants born to women infected during pregnancy (1,2) was reported in a traveler returning to New Zealand from American Samoa. In the absence of local laboratory capacity to test for Zika virus, ASDoH initiated arboviral disease control measures, including public education and vector source reduction campaigns.

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During the 2014-2016 Ebola virus disease (Ebola) epidemic in West Africa, CDC implemented travel and border health measures to prevent international spread of the disease, educate and protect travelers and communities, and minimize disruption of international travel and trade. CDC staff provided in-country technical assistance for exit screening in countries in West Africa with Ebola outbreaks, implemented an enhanced entry risk assessment and management program for travelers at U.S.

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On May 15, 2014, CDC was notified of two laboratory-confirmed measles cases in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), after 20 years with no reported measles. FSM was assisted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and CDC in investigating suspected cases, identify contacts, conduct analyses to guide outbreak vaccination response, and review vaccine cold chain practices. During February–August, three of FSM’s four states reported measles cases: Kosrae (139 cases), Pohnpei (251), and Chuuk (3).

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Over the span of a few weeks during July and August 2014, events in West Africa changed perceptions of Ebola virus disease (EVD) from an exotic tropical disease to a priority for global health security. We describe observations during that time of a field team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and personnel of the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. We outline the early epidemiology of EVD within Liberia, including the practical limitations on surveillance and the effect on the country's health care system, such as infections among health care workers.

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In response to the largest recognized Ebola virus disease epidemic now occurring in West Africa, the governments of affected countries, CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other international organizations have collaborated to implement strategies to control spread of the virus. One strategy recommended by WHO calls for countries with Ebola transmission to screen all persons exiting the country for "unexplained febrile illness consistent with potential Ebola infection." Exit screening at points of departure is intended to reduce the likelihood of international spread of the virus.

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An epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) illness that occurred in July 2007 on Yap Island in the Federated States of Micronesia prompted entomological studies to identify both the primary vector(s) involved in transmission and the ecological parameters contributing to the outbreak. Larval and pupal surveys were performed to identify the major containers serving as oviposition habitat for the likely vector(s). Adult mosquitoes were also collected by backpack aspiration, light trap, and gravid traps at select sites around the capital city.

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Dengue is a potentially fatal acute febrile illness caused by four mosquito-transmitted dengue viruses (DENV-1-4). Although dengue outbreaks regularly occur in many regions of the Pacific, little is known about dengue in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). To better understand dengue in RMI, we investigated an explosive outbreak that began in October 2011.

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Article Synopsis
  • A significant mumps outbreak occurred in Guam (2009-2010) despite high MMR vaccination rates, mainly impacting school-aged children.
  • During the outbreak, a third MMR vaccine dose was given to eligible students at schools with high infection rates, but results showed no significant difference in attack rates between those who received three doses and those who had two or fewer.
  • The outbreak highlighted issues like household crowding and ethnic disparities, suggesting these factors contributed to the persistence of the outbreak.
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Objective: An 8.3 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami waves devastated American Samoa on September 29, 2009, resulting in widespread loss of property and public services. An initial and a follow-up Community Needs Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) objectively quantified disaster-affected population needs.

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Background: Healthcare-associated outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) are frequently associated with contaminated tap water. A pseudo-outbreak of Mycobacterium chelonae-M. abscessus in patients undergoing bronchoscopy was identified by 2 acute care hospitals.

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Article Synopsis
  • Despite the US eliminating endemic measles, outbreaks from imported cases still happen, as seen in a 2007 outbreak linked to a sporting event in Pennsylvania.
  • Case finding and control measures, including isolation and vaccination of exposed individuals, led to the identification of 7 additional cases in 1250 contacts, primarily among unvaccinated persons.
  • Continued vigilance is needed to manage imported measles risks, especially among international event participants and travelers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage and supporting global control efforts.
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Background: In 2007, physicians on Yap Island reported an outbreak of illness characterized by rash, conjunctivitis, and arthralgia. Although serum from some patients had IgM antibody against dengue virus, the illness seemed clinically distinct from previously detected dengue. Subsequent testing with the use of consensus primers detected Zika virus RNA in the serum of the patients but no dengue virus or other arboviral RNA.

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