Lifting COVID-19 mitigation measures in Spain (May-June 2020).

Introduction: The state of alarm was declared in Spain due to the COVID-19 epidemic on March 14, 2020, and established population confinement measures. The objective is to describe the process of lifting these mitigation measures. Methods: The Plan for the Transition to a New Normality, approved on April 28, contained four sequential phases with progressive increase in socio-economic activities and population mobility. In parallel, a new strategy for early diagnosis, surveillance and control was implemented. A bilateral decision mechanism was established between the Spanish Government and the autonomous communities (AC), guided by a set of qualitative and quantitative indicators capturing the epidemiological situation and core capacities. The territorial units were established ad-hoc and could be from Basic Health Zones to entire AC. Results: The process run from May 4 to June 21, 2020. AC implemented plans for reinforcement of core capacities. Incidence decreased from a median (50% of territories) of 7.4 per 100,000 in 7 days at the beginning to 2.5 at the end. Median PCR testing increased from 53% to 89% of suspected cases and PCR total capacity from 4.5 to 9.8 per 1000 inhabitants weekly; positivity rate decreased from 3.5% to 1.8%. Median proportion of cases with traced contacts increased from 82% to 100%. Conclusion: Systematic data collection, analysis, and interterritorial dialogue allowed adequate process control. The epidemiological situation improved but, mostly, the process entailed a great reinforcement of core response capacities nation-wide, under common criteria. Maintaining and further reinforcing capacities remained crucial for responding to future waves.

Introducción: El 14 de marzo de 2020 España declaró el estado de alarma por la pandemia por COVID-19 incluyendo medidas de confinamiento. El objetivo es describir el proceso de desescalada de estas medidas. Métodos: Un plan de transición hacia una nueva normalidad, del 28 de abril, incluía 4 fases secuenciales incrementando progresivamente las actividades socioeconómicas y la movilidad. Concomitantemente, se implementó una nueva estrategia de diagnóstico precoz, vigilancia y control. Se estableció un mecanismo de decisión bilateral entre Gobierno central y comunidades autónomas (CCAA), guiado por un panel de indicadores cualitativos y cuantitativos de la situación epidemiológica y las capacidades básicas. Las unidades territoriales evaluadas comprendían desde zonas básicas de salud hasta CCAA. Resultados: El proceso se extendió del 4 de mayo al 21 de junio y se asoció a planes de refuerzo de las capacidades en las CCAA. La incidencia disminuyó de una mediana inicial de 7,4 por 100.000 en 7 días a 2,5 al final del proceso. La mediana de pruebas PCR aumentó del 53% al 89% de los casos sospechosos, y la capacidad total de 4,5 a 9,8 pruebas semanales por 1.000 habitantes; la positividad disminuyó del 3,5% al 1,8%. La mediana de casos con contactos trazados aumentó del 82% al 100%. Conclusión: La recogida y análisis sistemático de información y el diálogo interterritorial logaron un adecuado control del proceso. La situación epidemiológica mejoró, pero sobre todo, se aumentaron las capacidades, en todo el país y con criterios comunes, cuyo mantenimiento y refuerzo fue clave en olas sucesivas.

[From surveillance to action: Modifying therapeutic behaviours in gonococcal infections]. / De la vigilancia a la acción: modificando conductas terapéuticas en la infección gonocócica.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate improvements in the prescriptions for gonococcal infection after developing a specific public health intervention. Furthermore, to ascertain the proportion of cases diagnosed by culture and current antimicrobial resistance. LOCATION: Galicia, Spain. DESIGN: Before-after study of adherence to the recommended treatment for gonococcal infection (ceftriaxone + azithromycin) after a Public Health intervention. PARTICIPANTS: All Primary Care physicians who had identified and treated a case of gonococcal infection. STUDY PERIOD: Preintervention (2012-13) and postintervention (2014-17). INTERVENTIONS: Access to the recommended treatment (ceftriaxone and azithromycin) was provided in Primary Care and all the information was disseminated to Primary Care physicians and microbiologists through the publication Venres Epidemiolóxico. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The study variables were year, prescribed treatment, performing of culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing. The percentages for each of them were calculated. RESULTS: The recommended treatment was used in 3% in 2012-2013, and after the interventions it increased to a mean of 58%. The frequency of culture remained relatively constant after the interventions. Sensitivity to other antibiotics improved as their use decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The interventions carried out implied an improvement in the adherence to the recommended treatment for gonococcal infection in Galicia.

Temporal progression of the distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal disease in Galicia (Spain) and its relationship with resistance to antibiotics (period 2011-2021).

INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus pneumoniae causes serious diseases in the susceptible population. The 13-valent pneumococci conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was included in the children's calendar in 2011. The objective of the study was to analyze the evolution of pneumococcal serotypes and their resistance after PCV13. METHODS: This study included the pneumococci serotyped in Galicia in 2011-2021. Antibiotic susceptibility was analyzed following EUCAST criteria. The data was analyzed in 3 sub-periods: initial (2011-2013), middle (2014-2017) and final (2018-2021). The prevalence of serotypes and their percentage of resistance to the most representative antibiotics were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 2.869 isolates were included. Initially, 42.7% isolates presented capsular types included in PCV13, compared to 15.4% at the end. Those included in PCV20 and not in PCV13 and PCV15 were 12.5% at baseline and 41.3% at the end; 26.4% of the isolates throughout the study had serotypes not included in any vaccine. The prevalence of serotype 8 multiplied almost by 8 and that of 12F tripled. The 19A serotype was initially the most resistant, while the resistance of serotypes 11A and 15A increased throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of PCV13 in the pediatric population determined a change in pneumococcal serotypes towards those included in PCV20 and those not included in any vaccine. Serotype 19A was initially the most resistant and the 15A, not included in any vaccine, deserves special follow-up. Serotype 8, which increased the most, did not show remarkable resistance.

Lifting COVID-19 mitigation measures in Spain (May-June 2020).

INTRODUCTION: The state of alarm was declared in Spain due to the COVID-19 epidemic on March 14, 2020, and established population confinement measures. The objective is to describe the process of lifting these mitigation measures. METHODS: The Plan for the Transition to a New Normality, approved on April 28, contained four sequential phases with progressive increase in socio-economic activities and population mobility. In parallel, a new strategy for early diagnosis, surveillance and control was implemented. A bilateral decision mechanism was established between the Spanish Government and the autonomous communities (AC), guided by a set of qualitative and quantitative indicators capturing the epidemiological situation and core capacities. The territorial units were established ad-hoc and could be from Basic Health Zones to entire AC. RESULTS: The process run from May 4 to June 21, 2020. AC implemented plans for reinforcement of core capacities. Incidence decreased from a median (50% of territories) of 7.4 per 100,000 in 7 days at the beginning to 2.5 at the end. Median PCR testing increased from 53% to 89% of suspected cases and PCR total capacity from 4.5 to 9.8 per 1000 inhabitants weekly; positivity rate decreased from 3.5% to 1.8%. Median proportion of cases with traced contacts increased from 82% to 100%. CONCLUSION: Systematic data collection, analysis, and interterritorial dialogue allowed adequate process control. The epidemiological situation improved but, mostly, the process entailed a great reinforcement of core response capacities nation-wide, under common criteria. Maintaining and further reinforcing capacities remained crucial for responding to future waves.

[Description of the first case of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in Galicia (Spain).] / Descripción del primer caso de reinfección por SARS-CoV-2 en Galicia (España).

Since the first reinfection by SARS-CoV-2 was known in August 2020, several cases have been described around the world. We present the first reinfection of an immunocompetent patient confirmed in Galicia (Spain). The clinical-epidemiological information was obtained through an interview with the patient. The microbiological diagnosis was made by PCR of the nasopharyngeal exudate samples, and a serological study was carried out. In addition, a summary of the characteristics of all reinfections identified between 04-01-2021 and 03-10-2021 is presented.

Desde que en Agosto de 2020 se conociese la primera reinfección por SARS-CoV-2, se han descrito varios casos en todo el Mundo. Presentamos el primer caso confirmado en Galicia (España) de reinfección, en una paciente inmunocompetente. La información clínico-epidemiológica se obtuvo mediante entrevista con la paciente. El diagnóstico microbiológico se realizó mediante PCR de las muestras de exudado nasofaríngeo y se realizó estudio serológico. Además, se presenta un resumen de las características de todas las reinfecciones identificadas entre el 04-01-2021 y el 03-10-2021.

[Epidemiological surveillance of influenza (H1N1) 2009 without sentinel system]. / Vigilancia epidemiológica de la gripe (H1N1) 2009 sin red centinela.

BACKGROUND: The objective is to explain the Galician influenza surveillance system and to present the results observed during the pandemic flu, where due to the lack of sentinel surveillance practices, other alternatives are used. METHOD: Data was collected from: 061 phone calls for flu and acute respiratory illness; notifiable diseases usual reporting system (SXNOE); virological surveillance; primary care and hospital records and was analyzed with Excell. RESULTS: The first epidemic wave for A(H1N1)v according to 061 data was between week 39/2009 and 49/2009, and it peaked in week 44/2009, with a greater rate of accumulated calls was in the 5-19 age group. SXNOE showed a wave (week 39/2009 to 49/2009) and peaked in week 44/09. Virological surveillance included 6.181 samples with PCR-RT (31% were positive and peaked in week 44/09). Primary care registers showed a wave (week 39/2009 to 49/2009) which peaked in week 44/09 with the greatest rate of consultations was in the 5-19 age group. Between week 26/09 and week 17/2010, 698 patients were admitted with A(H1N1)v, with the highest hospitalization in week 44/09. CONCLUSIONS: The validity of the described surveillance systems is supported by the homogeneity of results, and they produced an equivalent wave (weeks 39/2009 to 49/2009) which peaked in week 44/2009 and showed the highest rate of consultations in the 5-19 age group. The 061 appears to be the most practical system to provide daily data.

[Hepatitis A outbreak in Galicia during 2016-2018]. / Brote de hepatitis A en Galicia durante 2016-2018.

OBJECTIVE: In Galicia, the incidence (I) of hepatitis A (HA) is low and the susceptibility is 51% in adults (18-64 years). Between 2016 and 2018 the cases increased, mainly in men. We intend to describe the cases of HA in Galicia during this outbreak period (PB), compare them with the pre-outbreak period (PPB), and the interventions performed. METHODS: Descriptive study of the cases of HA declared between 2016-18 (PB), compared to those from the previous period (2010-2015, PPB). Cases recorded in the mandatory notification system (general practice, hospitalization and microbiology) from 2010 to 2018 were included. For the pre-outbreak period 2010-2015 (PPB) it was calculated the average of cases/four-week period to compare observed/expected cases; the incidence (I) [cases/100,000 inhabitants (c/105h)] by sex and age was compared with the PPB through the Relative Risk (RR). It were sent messages with recommendations through men who have sex with men (MSM) reference websites. RESULTS: The outbreak lasted 80 weeks (september of 2016 to march of 2018). The incidence was 3 cases/105h in men and 0.5 cases/105h in women. Compared to the PPB, the RR-PB in men was 4.8 (95%CI=4-7) and 20.4 (95%CI=5-87) in 40-44 years. 42% of men declared to have relationships with other men (57% in 20-30 years). At the end of 2016, a message with recommendations (specially vaccination) was sent via Wapo (promoted to MSM through one of its reference websites), where 331 entries were registered. CONCLUSIONS: HA's incidence, in Galicia, increased in 2016-2018 by an outbreak in MSM. We found an increased susceptibility among young people which makes necessary to insist on the vaccination of groups at risk.

OBJETIVO: En Galicia, la incidencia (I) de hepatitis A (HA) es baja y la susceptibilidad es del 51% en adultos (18-64 años). Entre 2016 y 2018 se incrementaron los casos, fundamentalmente en hombres. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los casos de HA en Galicia en este periodo de brote (PB), compararlos con el periodo pre-brote (PPB), y describir las intervenciones realizadas. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de los casos de HA declarados entre 2016-2018 (PB), comparados con los del periodo previo (2010-2015, PPB). Se incluyeron los casos del Sistema de Notificación Obligatoria (por atención primaria, hospitalaria y microbiología) de 2010 a 2018. Se calculó el canal epidémico para el PPB, como media de casos/cuatrisemana para comparar casos observados/esperados. La incidencia (I) [casos por cada 100.000 habitantes (c/105h)] por sexo y edad se comparó con el PPB mediante el Riesgo Relativo (RR). Se enviaron mensajes con recomendaciones específicas a través de webs de referencia para hombres que tenían sexo con hombres (HSH). RESULTADOS: El brote duró 20 cuatrisemanas (septiembre de 2016 a marzo de 2018). La incidencia fue de 3 casos por cada 100.000 habitantes en hombres y 0,5 casos por cada 100.000 habitantes en mujeres. Frente al PPB, el RR-PB en hombres fue 4,8 (IC95%=4-7) y 20,4 (IC95%=5-87) entre 40 y 44 años. El 42% de los hombres respondieron tener relaciones con otros hombres (el 57% entre 20 y 30 años). A finales de 2016 se envió a través de Wapo (una de las webs de referencia de HSH) un mensaje con recomendaciones (fundamentalmente sobre vacunación), registrándose 331 entradas. CONCLUSIONES: La incidencia de HA aumenta en Galicia en el período 2016-2018 por un brote en HSH. La susceptibilidad se incrementa entre jóvenes, lo que hace necesario insistir en la vacunación de los grupos de riesgo.

[Usefulness of the microbiological surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus in Galicia (Spain): 2008-2017]. / Utilidad de la vigilancia microbiológica del virus respiratorio sincitial en Galicia (España): 2008-2017.

OBJECTIVE: To describe whether the microbiological information of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), provided by four hospitals on a weekly basis, adequately captures the seasonality of the RSV in the entire community. METHOD: Retrospective descriptive study. We compared the detection of RSV in respiratory samples of patients (hospitalized and not) from all age groups, from the 4 hospitals that are part of the microbiological surveillance system (MSS), with data from the Minimum Basic Data Set of hospitalization for bronchiolitis by RSV or another infectious organism, in patients under 5 years of age, admitted to any public hospital in Galicia (seasons 2008/2009 to 2016/2017). An epidemic wave period was considered when the positivity of RSV detections in the total respiratory samples of the SVM exceeded 10%. The sensitivity of the MSS was calculated as a percentage of admissions occurring in the epidemic wave. RESULTS: MSS sensitivity was 92% (86%-96%) for RSV bronchiolitis admissions in each season and 79% (75%-84%) for total bronchiolitis admissions. CONCLUSIONS: The RSV microbiological surveillance system, based on data from only 4 hospitals, showed very good sensitivity to predict the start and end of the annual RSV wave throughout the Galician region. These results support the use of this information to alert the entire health system of the onset of the wave.

[Influence of delay of surgery on the survival of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma]. / Influencia de la demora quirúrgica en la supervivencia de los pacientes intervenidos por carcinoma broncogénico.

OBJECTIVE: Bronchogenic carcinoma is the main cause of tumor-related deaths among men in Spain. The British Thoracic Society recommends that no longer than 4 weeks should pass from the moment a patient s name is placed on a waiting list until surgery takes place. We analyzed the influence of time until surgery on survival in patients with lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We operated on 108 patients diagnosed with bronchogenic carcinoma between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2002. The time until surgery was defined by the date of application for care in our department until the moment of surgery. RESULTS: The mean time on the waiting list was 56.87 days. No significant differences in mean wait-list times could be found in relation to tumor stage, type of surgery, patient age, or complete resection rate. The median survival in this patient series was 35 months. No significant differences in survival were found in relation to time until surgery in either the univariate or multivariate analysis. Pathologic stage, complete resection of the tumor, and patient age were prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that delaying surgery affects survival in lung cancer patients. However, efforts should be made to reduce surgical wait-list times to bring them into line with the recommendations of scientific societies.