RESUMO
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought an unprecedented crisis to the global health sector1. When recovering COVID-19 patients are discharged in accordance with throat or nasal swab protocols using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the potential risk of re-introducing the infection source to humans and the environment must be resolved2,3,4. Here we show that 20% of COVID-19 patients, who were ready for a hospital discharge based on current guidelines, had SARS-CoV-2 in their exhaled breath ([~]105 RNA copies/m3). They were estimated to emit about 1400 RNA copies into the air per minute. Although fewer surface swabs (1.3%, N=318) tested positive, medical equipment frequently contacted by healthcare workers and the work shift floor were contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 in four hospitals in Wuhan. All air samples (N=44) appeared negative likely due to the dilution or inactivation through natural ventilation (1.6-3.3 m/s) and applied disinfection. Despite the low risk of cross environmental contamination in the studied hospitals, there is a critical need for strengthening the hospital discharge standards in preventing re-emergence of COVID-19 spread.
RESUMO
Objective To investigate the epidemiological trend of human intestinal helminth infections in Yancheng City,Ji?angsu Province from 2006 to 2015,so as to provide the evidence for formulating further control strategies. Methods The sur?veillance data of human intestinal helminth infections were collected and analyzed in Yancheng City from 2006 to 2015. Re?sults From 2006 to 2015,110 746 person?times of residents in Yancheng City were surveyed in Yancheng City,and 1 732 samples were positive of human intestinal helminth infections. The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes was highest in 2006[4.59%(410/8 941)],and lowest in 2013[0.19%(23/12 165)]. The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes was significantly decreased over time(χ2=27.78,P<0.001). The human infection rates of Ascaris lumbricoides,hook worm and Trichuris trichura were all decreased over time(Z=-27.75,-22.23 and-16.17,all P<0.001)from 2006 to 2015,with the re?duction rates of 96.57%,92.31%and 96.47%,respectively. The average EPG of A. lumbricoides,hook worm and T. trichura were 2 534,360 and 154 respectively,and 1 694(97.81%)cases were light infections. Totally 1 174 cases of Enterobius vermic?ularis were found in children under 12 years old,and the cases were decreased over time(χ2 =12.46,P<0.001). Conclu?sions The infection rate of human intestinal helminthes in Yancheng City decreases over time from 2006 to 2015,and the con?trol work is effective. The control work of focus groups and environmental management and health education should be strength?ened in the future.
RESUMO
Objective To explore the method of Oncomelania hupensis snail surveillance in transmission?interrupted re?gions of schistosomiasis,so as to provide a new pattern for the surveillance of snail status in the transmission?interrupted areas. Methods In Dongtai County,north of Jiangsu Province where the transmission of schistosomiasis was interrupted,the surveil?lance of snail status was performed by means of the village?level general survey,village?level sampling survey,snail survey in key settings of township and county,and snail reporting by residents. In addition,quality?control snail sites were set up for quali?ty control. The effectiveness and cost of the four methods of snail surveillance was compared. Results A total of 163 079 set?tings and 22 785.62 hm2 were surveyed in Dongtai County from 2008 to 2013,and 89 residual snail breeding sites were found, with a snail area of 1.48 hm2. The patterns of village?level general survey,village?level sampling survey,and snail survey in key settings of township and county were employed for investigation of 94 550,45 033 and 23 496 settings,consisting of 57.98%, 27.61%and 14.41%of total settings,and 2,0 and 6 settings were found with snails,with 0.021/thousand,0,and 0.255/thou?sand detection rates of settings with snail breading sites,respectively. The pattern of snail survey in key settings of township and county was more effective than that of village?level survey to detect snail breeding sites(χ2 =19.158,P=0). The recovery rate of quality?control snail breeding sites was 52.56%,38.27%and 73.62%for the three patterns of snail survey,respectively,and the pattern of snail survey in key settings of township and county showed a higher quality for snail survey than that of village?lev?el survey(χ2 =111.597 and 85.991,both P=0). During the period from 2008 to 2013,289 person?times reported 279 sus?pected snail habitats and 1 501 living snails,and no Oncomelania snails were found. During the 6?year period,there were 1617.5,964.7 and 527.7 thousand RMB invested for village?level general survey,village?level sampling survey,and snail sur?vey in key settings of township and county,and the cost of snail survey per hm2 was 129.88,133.6 and 162.57 RMB/hm2,re?spectively. The cost of village?level general survey and snail survey in key settings of township and county to detect a snail?breed?ing site was 808 800 and 88 000 RMB,respectively(t=12.850,P=0.000),and the cost of snail survey in key settings of town?ship and county was 10.88%of that of village?level general survey. Conclusion The snail survey in key settings of township and county is a highly effective and high?quality method for snail surveillance,which may serve as a prior way for the surveil?lance of snail status in the transmission?interrupted areas of schistosomiasis.
