Diarrhoeal disease surveillance in Papua New Guinea: findings and challenges

Authors

  • Mohammad Yazid Abdad Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore; United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Moresby, Papua, New Guinea
  • Kevin W Soli Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Moresby, Papua, New Guinea
  • Bang Pham Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  • Grace Bande Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  • Tobias Maure Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  • Marinjo Jonduo Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  • Debbie Kisa Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  • Glennis Rai Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  • Suparat Phuanukoonnon Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  • Peter M Siba Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
  • Paul F Horwood Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
  • Andrew Greenhill Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Victoria, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2018.9.2.006

Abstract

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.

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Published

29-05-2020

How to Cite

1.
Abdad MY, Soli KW, Pham B, Bande G, Maure T, Jonduo M, Kisa D, Rai G, Phuanukoonnon S, Siba PM, Horwood PF, Greenhill A. Diarrhoeal disease surveillance in Papua New Guinea: findings and challenges. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2020 May 29 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];11(1). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/635

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2020): January – March

Section

Surveillance Report

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