Aung Thura Htoo

Hello Tanaphum, yes, any disease can evolve into a PHEIC. Like you mentioned, it depends on how it spreads, and how it affects the public. Additionally, factors like climate change and globalization has made it a more additive factor to some diseases being more infectious and impactful.

Hello Wannisa, yes, I agree with you in this case that the viruses that are frozen in the permafrost of the arctic and antarctic areas should be a potential to cause PEHIC. Global warming is thawing away the ice-berg in those areas, posing a serious threat to the public. It is also true that the nature and mechanism of those viruses would be…[Read more]

Hello Aye, yes, it is fair to say that HIV should be classified as PHEIC for its serious impact on the public health, and its international spread. However, like Wannisa mentioned above, it is not unexpected at this moment. However, like you said, if the highly infectious and more virulent strain of the disease emerges, it would meet the criteria…[Read more]

After listening to both leaders addressing their nations regarding their actions and information related to COVID-19, it is fair to say that Lee Hsien Loong had met all the six principles recommended by CERC.
Firstly, he directly addressed his nation just after two weeks of COVID-19 outbreaks in Singapore and clearly specify where they were and…[Read more]

To be honest, I am the type of person who needs more actions on improving my emotional intelligence (EQ) as whole career was based on learning science subjects and drawing insights from numbers. Though I need actions on my emotional intelligence. There is one area that I have strength in terms of EQ.

Self-Regulation: It is my strongest component…[Read more]

Hello Cing, I agree with you that the surveillance system by Korea is still limited in its usefulness. As you have mentioned, we could integrate the system with other sectors to enhance its usefulness like monitoring and evaluation of the transition of acute to chronic cases.

Hello Aye, yes, duplicate reporting and misreporting are major challenges in this surveillance system of Korea. As you suggested, providing health education along with guidelines and protocols could improve its effectiveness. Additionally, integration of this surveillance system with other technologies in health fields like labs would be a great…[Read more]

Hello Wannisa, thank you for providing two major gaps along with possible solutions. Among them, having an automated data checks with alerts can reduce the mis-reporting but we also need to consider about alert fatigue as well. Additionally, yes, interoperability is still a major issue in this case, and using HL7-FHIR compliant EHR system along…[Read more]

Hello Wannisa, thank you for highlighting the specific tools and systems for the steps of outbreak investigation. Like you mentioned, electronic surveillance system, databases management system, and statistic software and mass media are important examples of the usage of IT in outbreak investigation.

Hello Tanaphum, yes, IT has enhanced the way we described the outbreaks (patients, locations and time) by making more efficient in the way we collect and organize data. Besides, it enhances not only by making it easier but also more accurate and timely.

Hello Aye, I agree with you that IT can enhance various aspects of outbreak investigation. Like you mentioned above, IT can assist in timely data collection and communication across different rapid response team, and enhance the process of data analysis, resulting in earlier detection and rapid response.

Areas for improvements in Myanmar for future global health security during pandemics, using digital health:

Team: It is one of the challenging themes for the country. Due to decades of conflicts and political instability, the collaboration between different stakeholders were literally non-existent across the different regions. The flow of data…[Read more]

There are eight PEHIC declarations from 2005 to 2024.
1. H1N1 (Swine Flu) pandemic – 2009-2010
2. Polio – since 2014
3. Ebola in Western Africa – 2013-2016
4. Zika Epidemic – 2015-2016
5. Kivu Ebola epidemic – 2018-2020
6. COVID-19 pandemic – 2020-2023
7. Clade II Mpox outbreaks – 2022-2023
8. Clade I Mpox outbreaks – 2024 – p…[Read more]

Hello Aye, yes, we always use data visualization tools for better understanding of the data and comprehension of the information and insights, however, we usually forget their roles and significance. Thank you for highlighting the importance of those tools in outbreak monitoring and disease surveillance. They are the tools that can be tailored to…[Read more]

Hello Cing, yes, I agree with you that telemedicine has proven its insignificance during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the highly infectious period, it would be hard for the patients with vulnerable conditions to seek health consultations. Using tele-consultation using online video conferencing application can overcome this challenge. Besides, it…[Read more]

Hello Wannisa, thank you for highlighting the significance of machine learning in modern epidemic surveillance. Yes, I agree with you that it would be rather hard, handy, and long to analyze increasing number of big and online data using traditional method. On the other hand, applying machine learning technique can overcome this challenge and…[Read more]

Hello Wannisa, yes, dissemination of information related to outbreaks should be targeted not only to health care professionals but also to the public. Like you mentioned, using tools like ProMED, and Healthmap can assist healthcare officials in notifying them of the events related to outbreaks. But online dashboard and social media campaign like…[Read more]

Hello Aye, yes, I agree with your reasoning behind choosing community based surveillance against hospital based surveillance. Your reasoning focuses on the actively seeking of monkeypox cases in the community, because you consider waiting them to show symptoms and admit them to the medical facilities would be too late for the response time.…[Read more]

Hello Cing, yes, I agree with you that the type of surveillance system depends on the nature of the disease or conditions being monitored. Additionally, it is a good idea to choose case-based surveillance for monkeypox due to its having few cases currently. Besides, both ProMed and HealthMap are great tools to disseminate faster information…[Read more]

According to Chung et al. (2024), the Korean surveillance system on acute hepatitis B rated high on data quality and timeliness and has high predictive value (94.4%). However, there are some areas needed to be improved, especially in misreporting of chronic cases, and the system’s usefulness.

Misreporting of chronic cases: According to Chung et…[Read more]