Diarrhoeal disease surveillance in Papua New Guinea: findings and challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2018.9.2.006Abstract
Diarrhoeal diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western Pacific Region. However, data on the major causes of infectious diarrhoea are limited in many countries within the Region, including Papua New Guinea. In 2013–2014, we conducted surveillance for acute diarrhoeal illness in four provinces in Papua New Guinea. One rural health clinic from each province participated in the surveillance activity. Samples were sent to central laboratories and batch analysed for bacterial and viral gastrointestinal pathogens that are commonly associated with diarrhoea. Across the four sites, the most commonly detected pathogens were Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp. and rotavirus. In this paper, we report the results of the surveillance activity and the challenges that we faced. The lessons learnt may be applicable to other parts of the Region with a similar socioeconomic status.
References
Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 315 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE), 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet. 2016;388(10053):1603-58.
UNICEF. At a glance: Papua New Guinea [Available from: https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/papuang_statistics.html.
Horwood PF, Greenhill AR. Enteric diseases remain a major contributor to poor health outcomes in Papua New Guinea. Papua and New Guinea medical journal. 2013;56(3-4):97-102.
WHO. The Treatment of diarrhoea : a manual for physicians and other senior health workers. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2005. Contract No.: ISBN 92 4 159318 0
Soli KW, Maure T, Kas MP, Bande G, Bebes S, Luang-Suarkia D, et al. Detection of enteric viral and bacterial pathogens associated with paediatric diarrhoea in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases. 2014;27:54-8.
Horwood PF, Collins D, Jonduo MH, Rosewell A, Dutta SR, Dagina R, et al. Clonal origins of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor strains, Papua New Guinea, 2009-2011. Emerging infectious diseases. 2011;17(11):2063-5.
Greenhill A, Rosewell A, Kas M, Manning L, Latorre L, Siba P, et al. Improved laboratory capacity is required to respond better to future cholera outbreaks in Papua New Guinea. Western Pacific surveillance and response journal : WPSAR. 2012;3(2):30-2.
Howard P, Alexander ND, Atkinson A, Clegg AO, Gerega G, Javati A, et al. Bacterial, viral and parasitic aetiology of paediatric diarrhoea in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Journal of tropical pediatrics. 2000;46(1):10-4.
Benny E, Mesere K, Pavlin BI, Yakam L, Ford R, Yoannes M, et al. A large outbreak of shigellosis commencing in an internally displaced population, Papua New Guinea, 2013. Western Pacific surveillance and response journal : WPSAR. 2014;5(3):18-21.
Greenhill AR, Guwada C, Siba V, Michael A, Yoannes M, Wawarie Y, et al. Antibiotic resistant Shigella is a major cause of diarrhoea in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Journal of infection in developing countries. 2014;8(11):1391-7.
Horwood PF, Soli KW, Maure T, Naito YI, Morita A, Natsuhara K, et al. A High Burden of Asymptomatic Gastrointestinal Infections in Traditional Communities in Papua New Guinea. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene. 2017;97(6):1872-5.
Phuanukoonnon S, Michael A, Kirarock WS, Pomat WS, van den Biggelaar AH. Intestinal parasitic infections and anaemia among pregnant women in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Papua and New Guinea medical journal. 2013;56(3-4):119-25.
Horwood PF, Greenhill AR. Cholera in Papua New Guinea: observations to date and future considerations. Papua and New Guinea medical journal. 2013;56(3-4):162-5.
Dagina R, Murhekar M, Rosewell A, Pavlin BI. Event-based surveillance in Papua New Guinea: strengthening an International Health Regulations (2005) core capacity. Western Pacific surveillance and response journal : WPSAR. 2013;4(3):19-25.
WHO. A guide to establishing event-based surveillance. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2008. Contract No.: ISBN 978 92 9061 321 3.