Background There has been no local transmission of malaria in Sri Lanka for 6 years following elimination of the disease in 2012. Malaria vectors are prevalent in parts of the country, and imported malaria cases continue to be reported. The country is therefore at risk of malaria being re-established. The first case of introduced vivax malaria in the country is reported here, and the surveillance and response system that contained the further spread of this infection is described. Methods Diagnosis of malaria was based on microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests. Entomological surveillance for anophelines used standard techniques for larval and adult surveys. Genotyping of parasite isolates was done using a multi-locus direct sequencing approach, combined with cloning and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. Treatment of vivax malaria infections was according to the national malaria treatment guidelines. Results An imported vivax malaria case was detected in a foreign migrant followed by a Plasmodium vivax infection in a Sri Lankan national who visited the residence of the former. The link between the two cases was established by tracing the occurrence of events and by demonstrating genetic identity between the parasite isolates. Effective surveillance was conducted, and a prompt response was mounted by the Anti Malaria Campaign. No further transmission occurred as a result. Conclusions Evidence points to the case of malaria in the Sri Lankan national being an introduced malaria case transmitted locally from an infection in the foreign migrant labourer, which was the index case. Case detection, treatment and investigation, followed by prompt action prevented further transmission of these infections. Entomological surveillance and vector control at the site of transmission were critically important to prevent further transmission. The case is a reminder that the risk of re-establishment of the disease in the country is high, and that the surveillance and response system needs to be sustained in this form at least until the Southeast Asian region is free of malaria. Several countries that are on track to eliminate malaria in the coming years are in a similar situation of receptivity and vulnerability. Regional elimination of malaria must therefore be considered a priority if the gains of global malaria elimination are to be sustained. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-019-2843-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Background Following malaria elimination, Sri Lanka was free from indigenous transmission for six consecutive years, until the first introduced case was reported in December 2018. The source of transmission (index case) was a member of a group of 32 migrant workers from India and the location of transmission was their residence reporting a high prevalence of the primary vector for malaria. Despite extensive vector control the situation was highly susceptible to onward transmission if another of the group developed malaria. Therefore, Mass Radical Treatment (MRT) of the group of workers for Plasmodium vivax malaria was undertaken to mitigate this risk. Method The workers were screened for malaria by microscopy and RDT, their haemoglobin level assessed, and tested for Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) using the Care Start RDT and Brewers test prior to treatment with chloroquine (CQ) 25 mg/kg body weight (over three days) and primaquine (PQ) (0.25 mg/kg/day bodyweight for 14 days) following informed consent. All were monitored for adverse events. Results None of the foreign workers were parasitaemic at baseline screening and their haemoglobin levels ranged from 9.7–14.7 g/dl. All 31 individuals (excluding the index case treated previously) were treated with the recommended dose of CQ. The G6PD test results were inconclusive in 45% of the RDT results and were discrepant between the two tests in 31% of the remaining test events. Seven workers who tested G6PD deficient in either test were excluded from PQ and the rest, 24 workers, received PQ. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions Mass treatment may be an option in prevention of reintroduction settings for groups of migrants who are likely to be carrying latent malaria infections, and resident in areas of high receptivity. However, in the case of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, a more reliable and affordable point-of-care test for G6PD activity would be required. Most countries which are eliminating malaria now are in the tropical zone and face considerable and similar risks of malaria re-introduction due to massive labour migration between them and neighbouring countries. Regional elimination of malaria should be the focus of global strategy if malaria elimination from countries is to be worthwhile and sustainable.
One of the most important measures used for evaluating the service quality of a library is a user satisfaction survey. The objectives of the study were to find out the purposes of using a library and to evaluate user satisfaction towards the library facilities, library staff, library services, library resources and library website of the Open University of Sri Lanka. The population of the study was the university staff and the students who registered in the library of the Colombo regional centre of the Open University of Sri Lanka. Total sample size was 357 inclusive of both university staff members and students. Purposive sampling technique was utilized to get a representative sample. Primary data were collected with the help of a survey using a structured questionnaire, designed specifically for the purpose. Analysis of primary data was done using frequency tables and basic descriptive statistics such as mean, median etc. To measure the validity and reliability of the statements that are used to measure the user satisfaction, Cronbach Alpha testing was used. User satisfaction was evaluated under 05 parameters, such as (a) Library facilities; (b) Library staff; (c) Library services; (d) Library resources and (e) Library Website and Information access. It was identified that the respondents used the library for different purposes. Study results indicated reading, searching library resources, using computers to access information, and borrowing and returning books as the major purposes of using the library. The results of the study also revealed that on average, the respondents were relatively most satisfied with the library staff and their performance and helpfulness, moderately satisfied with the available library services, satisfied with the library website and its facilities and generally satisfied with the library facilities and library resources as a whole. The results also indicated that overall library users are satisfied with the available
This study examined the book circulation pattern of the main library of the Open University of Sri Lanka with the aim of identifying the pattern of circulation of printed books. Moreover, this study analyzes the subject wise variation of users' demand during the 05 years and explores the internal factors affecting the process of book borrowing. The study covers the 05 years from 2014-2018 periods for the analysis. This study applied the quantitative research approach and the secondary data taken from the "Koha" Library Management system for the period of 2014 to 2018 was taken for the study. Data presented through descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequency, and correlation analysis with graphical representations. The results of the study indicated that the total annual book borrowings have been declined over the years in parallel to the falling rate of annual book borrowers. Literature, technology and social sciences were the subject areas with the highest demand and religion, history & geography, and arts were the least in-demand categories over the last 05 years from 2014 to 2018. It could be identified that education was the only subcategory with an increasing rate of book borrowing. It is important to carry out a study to explore possible causes for the decline in book borrowings and changes that took place in the information-seeking behavior of the library users.
Libraries all over the world has been compelled to impose certain restrictions limiting their services to the users and introducing alternative approaches for the delivery of library services and resources as a response to the situation created by pandemic. This paper explains how the library of the Open University has dealt with the situation and continued to provide services to its stakeholders. The case study method was used in the study, and data collection was done through observations, from the library website and various other documents available at the library. The study identified the ways that could transmit the virus in the library namely; books with the virus, infected patrons and staff, accordingly the Virus transmission triangle was introduced, with a view of taking measures to control the virus transmission Major measures taken by the OUSL library were reducing the number of users visiting the library, enhancing online inquiry service to provides a better service, introducing strict sanitary measures, keeping records of library users, changing book circulation process, a self-check-in kiosk, rearranging furniture to ensure social distancing, developing e-library editions etc. In addition, the staff of the library has been encouraged to work from home, enabling them to provide their respective services even at a time when the university is closed. The library was able to develop an Open Education Resources (OER) collection because of the adoption of the Work from home concept. This pandemic situation emphasized the importance of identifying and implementing new approaches by all institutions of the world to make sure continuous service for their stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the institution.
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