La deuxième édition de ce manuel fournit des directives simples, concrètes et faciles à suivre pour la récupération et le stockage des corps des personnes décédées lors de catastrophes et l’enregistrement des informations les concernant, l’objectif étant d’aider les premiers interven...ants à faire en sorte que les morts soient traités avec respect et que les informations indispensables pour leur identification ultérieure soient enregistrées comme il se doit. Cette version révisée et actualisée de l’ouvrage incorpore l’expérience acquise lors de catastrophes récentes, comme le typhon Haiyan qui a touché les Philippines en 2013, l’épidémie d’Ebola qui s’est déclarée en Afrique de l’Ouest en 2014 et 2015, et le tremblement de terre qui a frappé le Népal en 2015. Elle comporte également plusieurs annexes traitant de diverses questions, telles que la prise en charge des dépouilles des victimes d’une épidémie de maladie infectieuse, la planification des sites d’inhumation et l’utilisation des analyses ADN lors de catastrophes de grande ampleur.
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Two decades of epidemiological research shows that silent cerebrovascular disease is common and is associated with future risk for stroke and dementia. It is the most common incidental finding on brain scans. To summarize evidence on the diagnosis and management of silent cerebrovascular disease to ...prevent stroke, the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association convened a writing committee to evaluate existing evidence, to discuss clinical considerations, and to offer suggestions for future research on stroke prevention in patients with 3 cardinal manifestations of silent cerebrovascular disease: silent brain infarcts, magnetic resonance imaging white matter hyperintensities of presumed vascular origin, and cerebral microbleeds. The writing committee found strong evidence that silent cerebrovascular disease is a common problem of aging and that silent brain infarcts and white matter hyperintensities are associated with future symptomatic stroke risk independently of other vascular risk factors. In patients with cerebral microbleeds, there was evidence of a modestly increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in patients treated with thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke but little prospective evidence on the risk of symptomatic hemorrhage in patients on anticoagulation. There were no randomized controlled trials targeted specifically to participants with silent cerebrovascular disease to prevent stroke. Primary stroke prevention is indicated in patients with silent brain infarcts, white matter hyperintensities, or microbleeds. Adoption of standard terms and definitions for silent cerebrovascular disease, as provided by prior American Heart Association/American Stroke Association statements and by a consensus group, may facilitate diagnosis and communication of findings from radiologists to clinicians.
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Health care-associated infections (HAI) are one of the most common adverse events in care delivery and a major public health problem with an impact on morbidity, mortality and quality of life. At any one time, up to 7% of patients in developed and 10% in developing countries will acquire at least on...e HAI. These infections also present a significant economic burden at the societal level. However, a large percentage are preventable through effective infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
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The technical note from the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) examines the risks and benefits of vaccinating pregnant women with WHO-prequalified oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) during mass vaccination campaigns. It highlights that three WHO-approved vaccines (Dukoral®, Shanchol™, and Euv...ichol®) offer sustained protection and a strong safety profile.
While these vaccines are not explicitly contraindicated for pregnant women, there is limited clinical data on their use during pregnancy. However, studies indicate that pregnant women with cholera face higher risks of fetal loss, stillbirth, and complications, especially if they experience severe dehydration. Some evidence suggests that vaccination can reduce cholera incidence in pregnant women and indirectly protect infants.
Although no controlled trials have focused on pregnant women, retrospective studies in Guinea and Zanzibar showed no significant increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes after OCV administration. The GTFCC concludes that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, particularly in high-risk areas, and recommends including pregnant women in cholera vaccination campaigns while continuing to monitor safety data.
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The WHO webpage on cholera provides an overview of the disease, its causes, and prevention strategies. Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, typically spread through contaminated food or water. It remains a significant global health issue, particularly in a...reas with poor water and sanitation infrastructure.
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The technical note by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) discusses the use of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCVs) for international workers and travelers in cholera-affected areas. It reviews the effectiveness of WHO-prequalified vaccines (Dukoral®, Shanchol™, and Euvichol®), emphasizing ...their role in preventing infection and reducing transmission risks.
The document highlights concerns about travelers contracting cholera in endemic regions and potentially spreading the disease upon returning home. While the overall risk is considered low, certain groups, such as humanitarian workers and travelers to high-risk areas like South Asia, face a higher exposure.
Recommendations include vaccination for emergency and relief workers who may come into direct contact with cholera patients or contaminated environments. However, routine vaccination for general travelers is not widely recommended. The note also calls for better surveillance and studies to assess the potential of vaccines in preventing international transmission.
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The Interim Guidance on Cholera Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) provides recommendations for using RDTs to detect cholera in areas with limited laboratory capacity. It highlights the advantages of RDTs, such as rapid detection (within 30 minutes), ea...se of use by non-laboratory personnel, and their role in early outbreak identification and surveillance. However, it emphasizes that RDTs should not replace culture or PCR testing, as they vary in sensitivity (58-100%) and specificity (60-100%). The document advises on proper test selection, storage, training, and integration into national surveillance systems to enhance cholera response efforts.
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This document summarizes Haiti's cholera situation as of November 16, 2016. Between January and October 2016, Haiti reported 35,203 new suspected cholera cases (32% increase from 2015) and 369 deaths (56% increase). After Hurricane Matthew, cases rose dramatically, with 52% of new cases concentrated... in Grand'Anse and South departments. Since the 2010 outbreak began, Haiti had experienced 797,000 total cases and 9,353 deaths. The report identifies key factors contributing to cholera persistence: weak water and sanitation infrastructure, limited healthcare access, underfunding, population density, and mobility. Despite concerning trends, humanitarian partners were cautiously optimistic as a feared nationwide outbreak following Hurricane Matthew had not materialized, and a vaccination campaign was underway. However, the cholera response was significantly underfunded, with only 42% of requested funds received.
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La Stratégie intégrée de communication pour la lutte contre le paludisme au Sénégal (2016) vise à renforcer la prévention et la prise en charge du paludisme par des actions de communication efficaces. Elle combine plaidoyer, mobilisation sociale et communication pour le changement de comporte...ment afin d’augmenter l’utilisation des moustiquaires imprégnées, le recours au traitement précoce, la chimio-prévention saisonnière et l’aspersion intradomiciliaire. Le document définit les objectifs, les messages clés, les cibles, les canaux de communication (comme la radio, la télévision, les activités communautaires) et les mécanismes de suivi-évaluation. L’accent est mis sur la coordination nationale et locale pour harmoniser les actions, renforcer l’adhésion des communautés et garantir un impact durable sur la santé publique au Sénégal.
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In light of the decline in new Ebola cases, strategies are now needed to scale down the activities and bed capacities in Ebola care facilities. These facilities include Ebola treatment units, community care centres, Ebola treatment centres and isolation centres. The Governments of Guinea, Liberia an...d Sierra Leone; WHO; CDC; ICAN and UNICEF have jointly developed this rapid guidance and checklist to assist national governments and partners as they begin this process. This rapid guidance pertains to protecting the safety and repurposing of infrastructures and resources previously used for the Ebola outbreak to care for Ebola patients.
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The Haiti & Dominican Republic Cholera Operation Plan of Action outlines the Red Cross's strategy to combat cholera on the island of Hispaniola following the 2010 outbreak in Haiti. As part of a 10-year national strategy, the plan includes an initial two-year emergency response (2014-2016) with a bu...dget of 9.9 million Swiss francs. The approach focuses on three key areas: improving water and sanitation by repairing and expanding water systems and constructing sanitation facilities, prevention and hygiene promotion through community education and hygiene training, and preparedness and response by strengthening disease monitoring, training Red Cross volunteers, and prepositioning medical supplies. This initiative, led by the Haitian and Dominican Red Cross in collaboration with international partners and local governments, aims to reduce cholera infections and improve public health on the island.
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A terminal cleaning and decontamination checklist for Ebola care facilities should include thorough cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces, removal and proper disposal of contaminated items, and disinfection of the entire area, including hard-to-reach places, using appropriate methods and product...s
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Decontaminating the Ebola Facilities in Sierra Leone
Une liste de contrôle pour le nettoyage et la décontamination des terminaux destinés aux établissements de soins pour les patients atteints d'Ebola doit inclure le nettoyage et la désinfection minutieux de toutes les surfaces, l'élimination et le traitement approprié des articles contaminés,... ainsi que la désinfection de l'ensemble de la zone, y compris les endroits difficiles d'accès, à l'aide de méthodes et de produits appropriés.
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Pour répondre au besoin urgent de lits requis pour traiter les patients atteints d'Ebola, plusieurs établissements ont été reconfigurés pour prendre en charge, isoler et traiter les patients. Nombre d’entre eux ont été construits au sein d’hôpitaux, d’écoles ou de bâtiments existants... utilisés pour d’ autres activités avant l’épidémie.
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The WHO Cholera Kits 2020 provide essential medical and logistical supplies for responding to cholera outbreaks. Designed to support the first month of an outbreak, the kits include treatment supplies for 100 patients, laboratory testing materials, investigation tools, and infrastructure components ...for patient care. The six kit types cover central, peripheral, and community-level treatment, along with resources for surveillance and outbreak response. The document also outlines recent modifications, ordering procedures, and recommendations for deployment in high-risk areas.
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The brochure "How to Build Your Own Tippy Tap", published by SPRING in 2015, provides step-by-step instructions for creating a simple handwashing device called a tippy tap. It highlights the importance of hand hygiene and demonstrates how to construct the device using locally available, low-cost mat...erials. The guide is designed to promote better hygiene practices in resource-limited settings, making handwashing with soap accessible and convenient.
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