Outbreaks

This is a critical review of an article based on the experiences of Epidemic Preparedness and Response pillars as they built resilient health systems while responding to various emerging and re-emerging adverse events. The premise of the article is to explore the need and outline advantages of resilient health systems to those responsible for health outcomes at all levels, for effective public health action amidst adverse contexts. The article may be considered as objective and unbiased due to the peer review process. The article was published in a journal that provides a forum for a broad discussion of global health issues that range from systemic violence to infectious disease outbreaks. The article has contributed to literature and provides a basis for achieving resilience, improving public health action and indicates areas for further development of the knowledge base of health systems research. However, it is suggested that the concept of responsiveness be reemphasized and paired with resilience to improve the performance of health systems.

The aim of the study was to investigate and describe the clinical, parasitological, haematological and biochemical findings induced by natural theileriosis in Camelus dromedarius. Sixty-seven out of 173 dromedary camels suffering clinically from fever, anorexia, swelling of the superficial lymph nodes, a rapid loss of condition, lacrimation, abortion and/or infertility were included in the study. Parasitological examinations of blood and faecal samples were performed for all camels using Giemsa-stained blood smears and standard flotation sedimentation techniques, respectively. The clinically affected camels were diagnosed with theileriosis (n=67) with a 38.73% overall morbidity and a 0% case fatality rate. Camels that suffered from theileriosis were subjected to haematological and biochemical analysis and matched with clinically healthy camels as controls (n=23). The haematological analysis revealed a highly significant reduction (P<0.001) in the total RBC count, HGB concentratio...

• This review summarizes early stand-scale studies of pristine forest structures, disturbance regimes and successional patterns carried out in boreal Eurasia. We attempt to reveal, characterize and classify stand dynamic types that can be used as templates for nature-based forest management. • The studies reviewed demonstrate multiple successional pathways in stand development in all types of pristine forests. All-aged stands driven by small-scale disturbances are formed over successional development of several hundreds of years. This endogenous development can be interrupted by stand-replacing or partial disturbances leading to successions with even-aged or cohort-structured stands, respectively. In Western Europe, the most common disturbances are windthrows, surface fires and fluctuations in moisture regime; in Eastern Europe and Siberia, the most common disturbances are crown and surface fires and insect outbreaks. Type, return interval and severity of disturbances are strongly influenced by the site conditions and successional stage of a stand. • Based on characteristics of forest stands and disturbance regime, four main types of pristine boreal forest stand dynamics can be distinguished: (1) even-aged, compositional change dynamics, (2) even-aged, mono-dominant dynamics, (3) cohort dynamics and (4) fine-scale gap dynamics. These types can be mimicked in developing scenarios of ecological sustainable forest management in Eurasian boreal forests. • Cette revue bibliographique résume les résultats de nombreuses études anciennes sur la structure des peuplements forestiers, sur les régimes de perturbation et sur les dynamiques de succession en forêt boréale eurasienne. Une typologie des modes de succession est proposée pour servir de cadre à une gestion forestière proche de la nature. • Les études analysées montrent l’existence de multiples modes de succession et de développement des peuplements dans tous les types de forêts vierges analysées. Des peuplements mélangés comportant des arbres de tous âges se développent en réponse à des perturbations locales avec des dynamiques de plusieurs siècles. Ce développement endogène peut être interrompu par des renouvellements massifs ou des perturbations partielles qui conduisent à des successions basées sur des peuplements équiennes ou structurés en cohortes, respectivement. En Europe occidentale, les perturbations les plus fréquentes sont les chablis, les incendies de surface et des fluctuations des régimes hydriques ; en Europe oriental et en Sibérie, ce sont les incendies de surface et de canopée, et les attaques massives par des insectes. • En se basant sur les caractéristiques des peuplements et des types de perturbations, nous avons pu identifier quatre types principaux de dynamiques forestières : (1) une dynamique de changement de composition spécifique avec une structure équienne ; (2) une dynamique de domination par une espèce avec une structure équienne ; (3) une dynamique de cohortes ; et (4) une dynamique de trouées locales. Ces types de succession peuvent servir de base pour le développement de scénarios de gestion forestière durable de ces forêts boréales eurasiennes.

In 2011, over 10.1 million people were held in prisons around the world. HIV prevalence is elevated in prison and this is due to the over representation of people who inject drugs (PWID). Yet HIV prevention programs for PWID are scarce in the prison setting. With a high proportion of drug users and few prevention programs, HIV transmission occurs and sometimes at an alarming rate. This commentary focuses primarily on drug users in prison; their risk behaviours and levels of infection. It also comments on the transmission of HIV including outbreaks and the efforts to prevent transmission within the prison setting. The spread of HIV in prison has substantial public health implications as virtually all prisoners return to the community. HIV prevention and treatment strategies known to be effective in community settings, such as methadone maintenance treatment, needle and syringe programs, condoms and antiretroviral therapy should be provided to prisoners as a matter of urgency.