Adapting an integrated acute respiratory infections sentinel surveillance to the COVD-19 pandemic requirements, Egypt, 2020- 2022

Abstract

Introduction: An integrated surveillance for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) was established 2016 at network of 19 governmental hospitals to identify causes of ARIs in Egypt. In response to COVID-19 pandemic, WHO requested surveillance adaptation to address the emerging challenges. This report aims at describing Egypt experience in adapting ARI surveillance to COVID-19 pandemic. Surveillance methods: WHO case definitions are used to identify ARI patients. NP/OP swabs collected for influenza testing by RT-PCR at central laboratories. Data collected by interviewing patients for demographic and clinical information and entered at sites. During COVID-19 pandemic, the first two outpatients daily and every fifth admitted patient were enrolled. Patients COVID-19 clinical data and testing for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR were added. Results: Between January 2020-April 2022, 18,160 patients were enrolled including 7,923(43.6%) outpatients and 10,237(56.4%) admitted. Of them 6,453(35.5%) tested positive including 5,620(87.1%) SARS-CoV-2, 781(12.1%) influenza and 52(0.8%) SARS-CoV-2/influenza coinfection. SARS CoV-2 caused 95.3% of admitted cases and 65.4% of outpatients. Influenza subtypes included A/H3 (55.7%), Flu-B (29.1%), H1/pdm09 (14.2%). Compared to influenza, SARS-CoV-2 infections prevail in elderly, warm weather, and urban governorates. SARS-CoV-2 caused more hospitalization, longer hospital stay, more severe course and higher case fatality than influenza (16.3 vs 6.6%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Egypt ARI surveillance was successfully adapted to COVID-19 pandemic and effectively describe clinical characteristics and severity of circulating viruses. Surveillance reported re-emergence of influenza viruses with severe course and high fatality. Maintaining ARI surveillance is essential to monitor respiratory viruses activity for guiding clinical management and preventive and control measures.

Synergizing AI, IoT, and Blockchain for Diagnosing Pandemic Diseases in Smart Cities: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Urban areas can strategically place these sensors around the city-capturing critical insights such as pollution levels impacting respiratory illnesses or environmental factors that influence common disease transmissions [86]. Furthermore, wearable gadgets or other mobility applications gather real-time health data from individuals through vital sign measurements-automatic symptom reporting along with their recent travel history-providing an essential perspective for disease surveillance efforts.…”

“…This real-time data enables quick identification and isolation of potentially infected individuals, helping to contain the spread of the virus. Additionally, South Korea's smart city efforts have been highly effective in monitoring and managing the COVID-19 outbreak [86][87][88][89]. The country established an extensive testing and surveillance system that integrates data from various sources, including healthcare records, mobile phone tracking, and credit card transactions.…”

“…Furthermore, AI techniques such as natural language processing and sentiment analysis can be applied to blockchain data to monitor public sentiment, identify misinformation, and facilitate effective communication strategies during a pandemic. The combination of AI and blockchain in pandemic control systems can enhance transparency, trust, and the overall effectiveness of smart city initiatives [85][86][87][88].…”

Epidemiology, Disease Severity and Outcome of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and Influenza Viruses Coinfection Seen at Egypt Integrated Acute Respiratory Infections Surveillance, 2020–2022

“…The surveillance system is maintained by the acute respiratory diseases unit under the Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance within the MoHP preventive sector. As of 2016, ILI, SARI, and pneumonia were combined into “the integrated acute respiratory infection surveillance.” Currently, the surveillance system in Egypt is quite robust, with 27 sentinel sites within 19 MoHP hospitals covering 13 governorates all over the country, as well as the regional laboratories [ 12 ]. SARS-CoV-2 was introduced in the surveillance at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to influenza viruses [ 12 ].…”

“…Currently, the surveillance system in Egypt is quite robust, with 27 sentinel sites within 19 MoHP hospitals covering 13 governorates all over the country, as well as the regional laboratories [12]. SARS-CoV-2 was introduced in the surveillance at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to infuenza viruses [12].…”