PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: The Manager of the Epidemiology Division of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), based in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Eldonna Boisson, said that the Caribbean’s enhanced health surveillance system is likely to be one of the better legacies of CWC 2007 to the region.
Dr Boisson explained that the surveillance capacity of the nine Cricket World Cup (CWC) ’07 host countries was successfully strengthened in anticipation of mass gatherings of people from other parts of the world with varied endemic diseases and epidemics.
In a general report to the Emergency Operating Centre in Barbados (EOCBAR) on the current strength of the region’s surveillance capabilities, the epidemiologist said that: “Health personnel have been trained, additional human resources provided to the countries and CAREC to enhance surveillance capacity, surveillance systems established, global disease and outbreak surveillance enhanced, and also laboratory capacity strengthened.”
Dr Boisson explained that since February 28 a mass gathering surveillance system (MGSS) was established in the nine host countries to help detect outbreaks or possible acts of biologic terrorism and enable a daily review of data, and prompt appropriate public health interventions and responses.
While the early alert detection software being used identified several data aberrations in host countries, these were all promptly investigated and most were found to be false alerts. Only three unusual disease events have been detected to date, she said. Dr Boisson noted, however, that the low number of disease incidences detected is not surprising as the reported number of visitors to the region so far is less than was expected.
Up until April 12, only one country reported three localized incidences of gastroenteritis. In each case the system responded promptly in identifying the cause and implementing quick corrective action.
The CAREC epidemiologist underscored her confidence in the region’s surveillance systems to detect and respond to any unusual disease situation that may occur during the competition which is evidence of some of the strong preparation in place for the period.
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