EpiSouth: a network for communicable disease control in the Mediterranean region and the Balkans

Dente, Maria Grazia; Fabiani, Massimo; Gnesotto, Roberto; Putoto, Giovanni; Montagna, Cosimo; Simón-Soria, F; Barboza, P; Aït-Belghiti, Fatima; Kojouharova, Mira; Владимирова, Н П; Vorou, Rengina; Mellou, Kassiani; Thinus, Germain; Declich, Silvia

doi:10.2807/ese.14.05.19113-en

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…It appears that although stakeholders within countries know each other, most of the stakeholders from different countries that ought to collaborate during a potential cross-border outbreak do not know each other prior to outbreak response. Previous publications have shown the importance of mutual trust and understanding when collaboration crosses national borders, with respect to mitigating the threat of outbreaks [36,37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How prepared are we for cross-border outbreaks? An exploratory analysis of cross-border response networks for outbreaks of multidrug resistant microorganisms in the Netherlands and Germany

et al. 2019

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Background The emergence and spread of multidrug resistant microorganisms is a serious threat to transnational public health. Therefore, it is vital that cross-border outbreak response systems are constantly prepared for fast, rigorous, and efficient response. This research aims to improve transnational collaboration by identifying, visualizing, and exploring two cross-border response networks that are likely to unfold during outbreaks involving the Netherlands and Germany. Methods Quantitative methods were used to explore response networks during a cross-border outbreak of carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae in healthcare settings. Eighty-six Dutch and German health professionals reflected on a fictive but realistic outbreak scenario (response rate ≈ 70%). Data were collected regarding collaborative relationships between stakeholders during outbreak response, prior working relationships, and trust in the networks. Network analysis techniques were used to analyze the networks on the network level (density, centralization, clique structures, and similarity of tie constellations between two networks) and node level (brokerage measures and degree centrality). Results Although stakeholders mainly collaborate with stakeholders belonging to the same country, transnational collaboration is present in a centralized manner. Integration of the network is reached, since several actors are beneficially positioned to coordinate transnational collaboration. However, levels of trust are moderately low and prior-existing cross-border working relationships are sparse. Conclusion Given the explored network characteristics, we conclude that the system has a promising basis to achieve effective coordination. However, future research has to determine what kind of network governance form might be most effective and efficient in coordinating the necessary cross-border response activity. Furthermore, networks identified in this study are not only crucial in times of outbreak containment, but should also be fostered in times of non-crisis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How prepared are we for cross-border outbreaks? An exploratory analysis of cross-border response networks for outbreaks of multidrug resistant microorganisms in the Netherlands and Germany

et al. 2019

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“…The survey addressed in November 2014, a web-based questionnaire to focal points (FP) of the “ Network for the Control of Cross-border Health Threats in the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea ”, appointed by the governments of 20 non-EU Member States (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia/FYROM, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Montenegro, Palestine, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine). The Network, established with the EpiSouth and the EpiSouth Plus Projects [ 9 ] and previously involved in other migrant health studies [ 10 ] has further developed with the involvement of countries bordering the Black Sea. The FP were experts in communicable diseases from relevant Ministries and National Health Institutions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening for Infectious Diseases among Newly Arrived Migrants: Experiences and Practices in Non-EU Countries of the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea

Napoli

Dente

Kärki

et al. 2015

IJERPH

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Changing migration dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea and differences in infectious diseases (ID) burden between the countries of origin have raised questions whether public health actions are needed to avoid the transmission of ID. Screening newly arrived migrants for ID is one health monitoring option, offering opportunities for prevention, early detection and treatment. The authors conducted a survey among country experts in non-European Union countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, in order to explore current ID screening practices and policies for newly arrived migrants. The association between the existence of guidelines and the proportion of refugees in the population was also estimated. Eighteen country experts responded (90%) out of the 20 invited. Eleven countries (61%) implemented screening programmes and six (38%) had national guidelines. Screening was performed most often for tuberculosis at the holding level. A higher proportion of refugees in the population was associated with the existence of guidelines for screening (p = 0.05). Fourteen experts (88%) considered screening among migrants useful. The results show that screening for ID in newly arrived migrants is relevant for non-EU countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Common guidelines could be promoted focusing on both individual and public health benefits of screening programmes.

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“…The countries around the Mediterranean Sea started the EpiSouth Project in 2006, as a framework for collaboration for communicable disease surveillance and training among 26 participating countries from southern Europe, the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle East as well as several international organisations. 31 The EpiSouth Project is a valuable demonstration that even regions in conflict and with difficult borders can form effective partnerships, find common ground and engage in commitments to promote health security.…”

Section: One Health In Global Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

One Bioregion/One Health: An Integrative Narrative for Transboundary Planning along the US–Mexico Border

Pezzoli¹,

Kozo²,

Ferran³

et al. 2014

Global Society

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Global megatrends—including climate change, food and water insecurity, economic crisis, large-scale disasters and widespread increases in preventable diseases—are motivating a bioregionalisation of planning in city-regions around the world. Bioregionalisation is an emergent process. It is visible where societies have begun grappling with complex socio-ecological problems by establishing place-based (territorial) approaches to securing health and well-being. This article examines a bioregional effort to merge place-based health planning and ecological restoration along the US–Mexico border. The theoretical construct underpinning this effort is called One Bioregion/One Health (OBROH). OBROH frames health as a transborder phenomenon that involves human-animal-environment interactions. The OBROH approach aims to improve transborder knowledge networking, ecosystem resilience, community participation in science–society relations, leadership development and cross-disciplinary training. It is a theoretically informed narrative to guide action. OBROH is part of a paradigm shift evident worldwide; it is redefining human-ecological relationships in the quest for healthy place making. The article concludes on a forward-looking note about the promise of environmental epidemiology, telecoupling, ecological restoration, the engaged university and bioregional justice as concepts pertinent to reinventing place-based planning.

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EpiSouth: a network for communicable disease control in the Mediterranean region and the Balkans

Abstract: u e 5 · 5 F eb r ua r y 20 0 9 · w w w. e u ro s u rve i ll an c e . o rg 1 P e r s p e c t i v e s E p i S o u t h : a n E t w o r k f o r c o m m u n i c a b l E d i S E a S E c o n t r o l i n t h E m E d i t E r r a n E a n r E g i o n a n d t h E b a l k a n S M G Dente

Cited by 13 publications

References 1 publication

How prepared are we for cross-border outbreaks? An exploratory analysis of cross-border response networks for outbreaks of multidrug resistant microorganisms in the Netherlands and Germany

How prepared are we for cross-border outbreaks? An exploratory analysis of cross-border response networks for outbreaks of multidrug resistant microorganisms in the Netherlands and Germany

Screening for Infectious Diseases among Newly Arrived Migrants: Experiences and Practices in Non-EU Countries of the Mediterranean Basin and Black Sea

One Bioregion/One Health: An Integrative Narrative for Transboundary Planning along the US–Mexico Border

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