Tuberculosis outbreaks in schools: Experiences from the Western Pacific Region

Kalpeshsinh Rahevar; Tracy Yuen; Kyung Hyun Oh; Seiya Kato; Yuhong Liu; Zhang Lijie; Jingtao Gao; Liang Li; Zi Chen; Cheon Tae Kim; Sarankhuu Amarzaya; Fukushi Morishita; Tauhid Islam

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Tuberculosis outbreaks in schools: Experiences from the Western Pacific Region

Author: Kalpeshsinh Rahevar ¹ ; Tracy Yuen ¹ ; Kyung Hyun Oh ¹ ; Seiya Kato ² ; Yuhong Liu ³ ; Zhang Lijie ³ ; Jingtao Gao ³ ; Liang Li ³ ; Zi Chen ⁴ ; Cheon Tae Kim ⁵ ; Sarankhuu Amarzaya ⁶ ; Fukushi Morishita ¹ ; Tauhid Islam ¹
Author Information

1. End TB and Leprosy Unit, Division of Programmes of Disease Control, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
2. Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Tokyo, Japan
3. National Clinical Center on Tuberculosis, Beijing, China
4. Department of International Cooperation, Innovation Alliance on TB Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing, China
5. Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Seoul, Republic of Korea
6. Ministry of Health and National Center for Communicable Disease, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Publication Type:Journal Article
From: Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2021;12(1):01-05
CountryWHO-WPRO
Language:English
Abstract: Reports of tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks among schoolchildren have increased in recent years in countries across the Western Pacific Region. Cases from China, Japan, Mongolia and the Republic of Korea were studied to derive lessons from the challenges and responses to TB outbreaks in schools. Despite differences in the TB burden and outbreak preparedness, the four countries reported similar challenges. These included delayed diagnosis of index cases, lack of experienced health professionals and sustained financial support, and difficulty in responding to intensified media and community attention. Early detection of outbreaks, established resource mobilization networks, coordination among stakeholders and proactive communication were highlights of successful outbreak responses. These principles could be adapted to each context for responses to future TB outbreaks in schools.
Full text:wpsar.2020.11.3.005 Rahevar FINAL.pdf