Search

Background: During the XXVI Antarctic Campaign of the RV (Research Vessel) "Hespérides", a SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 outbreak was detected on board, which led to the ship returning to harbor and stopped the mission. Objectives: Describing the management of the COVID-19 outbreak on board the "Hespérides", the epidemiological characteristics and prevention and control measures carried out. Patients and methods: Retrospective, observational study over 55 crew members and 35 scientists while on board. Obtained data was analyzed from epidemiologic surveys and the swab samples by RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Results: The outbreak reached 34 of the 55 persons of the crew (Attack Rate 62%) and 16 of the 34 persons among the passengers (Attack Rate AR 46%), being symptomatic 75% and 100% of them, respectively. The average number of days to detect a positive from the last close contact, obtained a mean of 2,73 days CI 95% (1,88; 3,58), compatible with incubation period of the Omicron variant. Every symptomatic patient tested positive in RAT. Meanwhile, no asymptomatic patient tested positive in RAT and needed PCR testing for identification. The infected people stayed a mean of 10 days of quarantine. For the gross rate ratio without considering other variables, among the crew the risk of becoming positive was higher for men and sailors, no significant differences were found (p>0,05). Conclusions: The estimated incidence rate was quite high because of the close environment (62% of the crew). The implementation of outbreak preventive, control and management measures, minimized the impact on health and allowed the successful achievement of the mission; specially, vaccination, the application of the onboard developed decision support tools, reversal of isolation, confining the healthy ones, disembarking contacts with risk of infection and the procedure of finishing isolation for the infected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: at the end of November 2019, coinciding with the emergence of the Omicron variant appearance in Spain, an increase in COVID-19 infections was observed in military personnel immunised with different types of primary vaccines regimens at the Rota Health Headquarters. Objectives: to determine if there are any differences in the time elapsed between the primary vaccination pattern and the disease development between the vaccination modalities. As a secondary objective, to know if the type of primary vaccination was associated with the development of symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19 disease. Methods and results: descriptive survival study (from November 2021 to February 2022). Data collection was carried out through the "COVID-19 Infection Case Notification Sheet". The study focused on homologous patterns. Of the 120 people who became infected, 67,2 % received the primary regimen from Pfizer, 16,4 % from AstraZeneca, 12,1 % from Moderna, and 4,3 % from Janssen. According to the Kaplan-Meier curve, after 186 days post-vaccination, it was observed that there was an increase in the risk of infection greater than 50 %. There was a greater than 50 % increase in the risk of infection at 186 days after vaccination. The log rank test showed that there were differences in the time since the last dose and the time of COVID-19 infection between the different vaccine types (p <0.03). Cox regression was performed to determine the behaviour of the survival curves for each vaccine type, which confirmed these differences (p <0.036). Hazard Ratios showed that subjects vaccinated with Moderna had 2,76 times greater chance of COVID-19 infection in the period starting 186 days after vaccination, compared to those vaccubated wutg AstraZeneca (CI 95 % 1,37-5,55), (p <0.004). 53 % of subjects had symptoms versus 47 % who were asymptomatic. No significant differences were obtained between the type of homologous vaccine regimen and the -clinical course of the disease (p <0.22). Conclusions: There was a decrease in vaccine efficacy with homologous regimens at 6 months. Subjects vaccinated with AstraZeneca had lower probability of infection at 186 days than those vaccinated with Moderna. No association was found between the clinical form of the infection and the homologous regimen administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diving exposes the diver to an environment in which both the increased environmental pressure and the physical demands can favor the appearance of a series of pathologies that can be aggravated by the diver's poor physical condition. SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) infection has, among others, pulmonary, cardiac, hematological consequences and even physical capacity limitations. As a result of the above, a medical examination of any diver or healthcare personnel with a history of SARS-COV-2 infection who is going to be exposed to a hyperbaric environment is necessary. The IT 02/16 of IGESAN and especially its extension on February 8, 2021 establishes a protocol for action in these situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the schedule 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services to be held from October 5-7, 2022 in Madrid, Spain features topics of such as Costs for a Hospital stay; controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread and medical devices reserve management model.

Human and animal health are intertwined and linked to ecosystems. The vast majority of emerging diseases have an animal origin, where a microorganism comes into contact with man through one or more animal species by sharing or modifying a given ecosystem. The way of life globalized by international transport can also cause an outbreak of disease to become an epidemic or a pandemic, as has been the case of COVID-19. The transversal approach provided by the One Health philosophy of the World Health Organization (WHO) is vital to face the biological threats that lie in wait for society. The role of the Military Veterinary in the prevention and control of epidemic outbreaks within multidisciplinary military health teams provides a broad and experienced vision to face the challenges that arise in those epidemiological situations where the national security environment may be compromised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization was informed of a group of cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology detected in the city of Wuhan (China). On January 30, 2020, the nCoV-2019 outbreak (later SARS-CoV-2) was declared a public health emergency of international concern. In this context, some western countries decided to evacuate their citizens. Aim: This article describes the approach taken in the case of people evacuated from Wuhan upon arrival in Spain. Methods: Information was collected on the criteria for selecting facilities and personnel, the number of quarantine cases, the infection control strategy, the duration of quarantine, clinical monitoring, and other relevant aspects. Results: The Spanish health authorities selected the Gómez Ulla Central Defense Hospital to carry out a hospital quarantine. Twenty-one people were transferred from Wuhan to Madrid, including two children. Preventive medicine and infectious disease physicians were selected to direct and assist surveillance. The visits were authorized following an established protocol. Conclusions: This is the first hospital quarantine report for SARS-CoV-2, designed specifically for returnees. Hospitalarian quarantine could be a useful method for selected cases of highly contagious diseases. However, good resource and facility support, selection of experienced staff, and revised protocols are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been a true health tragedy worldwide, generating serious consequences of morbidity and mortality, especially in older people. The General Defense Hospital (HGDZ) has participated in Operation Balmis of the Armed Forces (FAS) to fight against this pandemic. It has required HGDZ great flexibility and adaptability to face the high demand for admission of patients infected with this virus. To this aim, it has implemented a growing set of measures focused on strengthening the response in the health field and reducing contagion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placenta accreta spectrum is a state of abnormal attachment of the placenta to the myometrium, resulting in hemorrhage and delayed or impossible delivery of the placenta. It's an infrequent pathology, and this condition can be life-threatening. We present an interesting case of a 41-year-old female with COVID-19 that attends the emergency room due to scanty vaginal bleeding at 14 days postpartum. A hemostatic hysterectomy was performed, and the diagnosis of placenta accreta was made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on round table titled "Lessons learned from the investigation of a COVID-19 cluster in Creil, France: effectiveness of targeting symptomatic cases and conducting contact tracing around them" presented at 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services. It mentions study presents the methods and results of the investigation into a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a professional community. It also mentions effective use of targeted testing.

The article offers information on round table titled "Mass testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Slovakia" presented at 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services. It address challenges to maximize effectiveness to create effective collaborative environment during planning and execution of the mass testing of COVID-19. It also mentions SD Biosensor Standard Q antigen test was used, the first rapid point-of-care COVID-19 test approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization.

The article offers information on round table titled "Military COVID-19 vaccination related activities" presented at 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services. It mentions vaccination of the military personnel started at the beginning of January 2021 in the Defense Preventive Medicine Institute. It also mentions objective of the vaccination campaign was not to introduce virus SARS-CoV-2 and health promotion activities and adherence to the vaccination campaign.

The article offers information on round table titled "Put to the test: development of a COVID-19 testing capacity to ensure Belgian operationality" presented at 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services. It mentions Belgian government chose to support the development of PCR-based techniques for detection of current infection with SARS-CoV-2, as advised by the World Health Organisation. It also mentions possible degradation of COVID-19 patients while on mission.

The article offers information on round table titled "Contribution of military medical services to national strategic plan against COVID-19. The Hellenic National Defense General Staff experience" presented at 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services. It mentions logistic management of vaccines of high capacity vaccination centers and need for telehealth development and interoperability. It also mentions medical protocols and preventive measures against SARS-COV-2.

The article offers information on round table titled "COVID prevention measures in operations" presented at 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services. It mentions SARS-CoV-2 has had an impact on military operations and the need for the establishment of quarantines stand out. It also mentions turning point within the force's health protection measures against SARS-CoV-2 and development of contingency plans in the detachments.

The article offers information on round table at 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services on topic "Controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread in a veteran nursing home: contingency plan implementation and monitoring" It mentions strict implementation of infection control measures effectively minimized the risk of COVID-19 infection spreading in this veteran nursing home. It also mentions RT-PCR positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 among all residents.

The article offers information on several round tables at 1st European Union (EU) Congress on Military Health Services on topics including controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread in a veteran nursing home; medical devices reserve management model and mechanism of the armed forces.