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Biomedical subjects

A Timen

Publications and source records attributed to A Timen.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Public health implications of using various case definitions in The Netherlands during the worldwide SARS outbreak.

This study analysed the consequences of deviation from the WHO case definition for the assessment of patients with suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in The Netherlands during 2003. Between 17 March and 7 July 2003, as a result of dilemmas in balancing sensitivity and specificity, five different case definitions were used. The patients referred for SARS assessment were analysed from a public health perspective. None of the patients referred had SARS, based on serological and virological criteria. Nevertheless, all 72 patients required thorough assessment and, depending on the results of the assessment, institution of appropriate prevention and control measures. Changing case definitions caused confusion in classifying cases. A centralised assessment of the reported cases by a team with clinical and public health expertise (epidemiological and geographical risk assessment) is a practical solution for addressing differences in applying case definitions. The burden of managing non-cases is an important issue when allocating public health resources, and should be taken into account during the preparation phase, rather than during an outbreak. This applies not only to SARS, but also to other public health threats, such as pandemic influenza or a bioterrorist episode.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2005

[Avian influenza H5NI in Europe: little risk as yet to health in the Netherlands].

Since 2004, outbreaks of fowl plague caused by a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of the subtype A/H5NI have been reported from various countries in Southeast Asia. To date, 118 cases with 61 deaths have been documented in humans, due to close contact with infected poultry or raw poultry meat. Although efficient human-to-human transmission has not occurred, in a few cases transmission to blood relatives could not be ruled out. In October 2005, outbreaks of A/H5NI in poultry and wild fowl have been confirmed from Turkey, Romania and Russia, due probably to infection via migratory birds. The direct risk of infection in humans in Europe is very low and is associated with direct exposure to infected poultry. In order to address the long-term risk of a pandemic due to recombination of human and avian viruses or to mutations in the avian virus itself, guidelines for pandemic preparedness have been developed and implemented in the Netherlands.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[The control of infectious diseases in The Netherlands].

Municipal health services (MHSs) carry out the control and prevention of communicable diseases, under the authority of the municipal councils. Mayors have the authority to enforce measures aimed at individuals, such as isolation and quarantine. The mandatory notification of infectious diseases by physicians, as required by the Infectious Diseases Act, is an essential part of infectious disease control. By collecting these notifications, MHSs obtain a much better picture than the individual physician of the mutual relationships between the reported cases. MHSs monitor current regional developments, while the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) does this for the entire country and elsewhere in the world. By means of electronic message service, the information can be disseminated immediately, if necessary, to health professionals everywhere in The Netherlands. In case of national threats or epidemics, the National Coordination of Infectious Disease Control (LCI) can request expert advice from the Outbreak Management Team and can advise the Minister of Public Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) as to the best control measures. The Minister is chairman of a board of administrators, defines the policy and bears the final responsibility. The Ministry of VWS creates the necessary conditions. The Minister of VWS has noted structural errors in the organisation of the prevention of infectious diseases and will implement an improved organisational structure in the beginning of 2005. The assignments of the new centre are not only research and advising, but also the overall management of the prevention.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed2004

[Tetanus prophylaxis in general practice].

In response to the report 'Immunisation against tetanus following injuries' from the Dutch Health Council, the Dutch College of General Practitioners, the National Coordinating Body for the Control of Infectious Diseases and The Netherlands Vaccine Institute have drawn up guidelines for tetanus prophylaxis in general practice. The number of situations in which the administration of tetanus immunoglobulin or tetanus vaccine is indicated is now considerably lower. Some of the unclear aspects of the report have been further worked out and translated into definite guidelines. The guidelines are not only useful for general practitioners but deserve to be followed by all doctors treating patients with injuries.

Family Practice↗
PubMed1999

[Tinea capitis in primary school age children in southeastern Amsterdam: primarily due to Trichophyton tonsurans].

OBJECTIVE: To establish prevalence and aetiology of tinea capitis in children attending primary school in Amsterdam South-East. DESIGN: Prevalence survey. METHODS: The Municipal Health Service Amsterdam, the Netherlands, selected classes of four primary schools in a survey with children clinically suspected of having tinea capitis as well as classes without clinical cases. Per school at least one class with a notified case was included. Written information was provided to all parents; the parents of three children refused participation. After clinical examination by a team of physicians and nursing staff scalp cultures were taken using the brush method from 315 children (aged 4-12 years) in 16 classes. RESULTS: The clinical diagnosis 'tinea capitis' was established in 25 children, significantly more in boys than in girls (relative risk (RR) = 2.92: 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.20-7.11). Of all children 7% had positive cultures, more boys than girls (RR = 3.13: 95% CI: 1.18-8.28). Symptomatic cases (confirmed by culture) amounted to 3.2% of all children. The carrier rate was 3.8%. Trichophyton tonsurans was the most frequently isolated dermatophyte both in symptomatic children and in carriers. CONCLUSION: In 7% of all children (3.2% with symptoms of tinea capitis, 3.8% without) dermatophytes were cultured from scalp samples, the main aetiologic agent being T. tonsurans.

Child↗