Centralized coordinated surveillance important
Sri Lanka can handle an unknown infection – but it should be done through a centralized coordinated surveillance and a single spokesperson who collects the information from every other source, whether BIA, quarantine unit, army or hospital and is capable of answering every query, underscored former Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe who was part of the team which faced the threat of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the early 2000s.
It should be the Epidemiology Unit which takes centre- stage and has done so as there is a “time-tested” system in place, he said, giving it as the Department of Health, the DirectorGeneral, Deputy Director-General, Provincial Directors of Health, Regional Directors of Health, Medical Officers of Health, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and Public Health Midwives (PHMS).
This system has handled outbreaks from the plague to polio, from cholera to measles and more. Sri Lanka is the only country in the region which has this strong system. We have had good infrastructure to respond to any public health need since 1926, he pointed out.
Systematically, Dr. Abeysinghe analyses the needs of the current nCoV threat. We need to be vigilant for:
A person from Wuhan who is travel
ling around and comes to Sri Lanka. A person who has been in contact with someone who has been exposed to the virus in Wuhan. These could be Chinese or any other national coming in as tourists or workers or Sri Lankans.
The measures needed are:
Appropriate funding for logistical support at crucial institutions such as the Medical Research Institute (MRI)
Traveller screening – mostly at the BIA as there is a rush for passengers jostling to get out and also at sea-ports where health officials can board ships to check for ill passengers. Forms seeking detailed information can be distributed to all passengers.
Strong units consisting of trained public health personnel being deployed at entry points to spot people who are ill.
Enhanced surveillance through the protocols already in place to catch any flu-like disease doing the rounds, with strong follow-up and monitoring.
True public health practice – contact tracing and follow-up and admission to designated hospitals