Ehab Al-Sakkaf1, Yasser Ghaleb2, Esmail Al-Dabis2, Mohammed Qairan3, Mohammed Al-Amad2, Abdulwahed Al-Serouri4, Abdulhakim Al-Kohlani2. 1. Field Epidemiology Training Program, Ministry of Public Health and Papulation, Sana'a, Yemen. Electronic address: ehab.f.alsakkaf@gmail.com. 2. Field Epidemiology Training Program, Ministry of Public Health and Papulation, Sana'a, Yemen. 3. Electronic Integrated Disease Early Warning System, Ministry of Public Health and Papulation, Sana'a, Yemen. 4. Field Epidemiology Training Program, Ministry of Public Health and Papulation, Sana'a, Yemen; Faculty of Medicine and health science, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Confirm existence of COVID-19 outbreak, conduct contact tracing, and recommend control measures. METHODS: Two COVID-19 cases in Sana'a Capital were met the WHO case definition. Data were collected from cases and contacts who were followed for 14 days. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken for confirmation by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Two confirmed Yemeni male patients aged 20 and 40 years who had no travel history were admitted to hospital on 24 April 2020. Regarding the first patient, symptoms started on April 18th, 2020 then improved and discharged on May 5th while the second patient's symptoms started on April 22nd but died on April 29th, 2020. Both cases had 54 contacts, 17 (32%) were health workers (HWs) that gave secondary attack rate (sAR) of 12% compared to 5% among other contacts. Four contacts (7%) were confirmed by PCR, two of them were HWs and needed admission. CONCLUSIONS: First COVID-19 outbreak was confirmed among Yemeni citizens who had no travel history and with high sAR among HWs. Strict infection control among HWs should be ensured. Physical distancing, mask-wearing with appropriate disinfecting measures should be promoted especially among contacts. There is a need to strengthen national capacities to assess, detect, and respond to public health emergencies.
OBJECTIVES: Confirm existence of COVID-19 outbreak, conduct contact tracing, and recommend control measures. METHODS: Two COVID-19 cases in Sana'a Capital were met the WHO case definition. Data were collected from cases and contacts who were followed for 14 days. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken for confirmation by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Two confirmed Yemeni male patients aged 20 and 40 years who had no travel history were admitted to hospital on 24 April 2020. Regarding the first patient, symptoms started on April 18th, 2020 then improved and discharged on May 5th while the second patient's symptoms started on April 22nd but died on April 29th, 2020. Both cases had 54 contacts, 17 (32%) were health workers (HWs) that gave secondary attack rate (sAR) of 12% compared to 5% among other contacts. Four contacts (7%) were confirmed by PCR, two of them were HWs and needed admission. CONCLUSIONS: First COVID-19 outbreak was confirmed among Yemeni citizens who had no travel history and with high sAR among HWs. Strict infection control among HWs should be ensured. Physical distancing, mask-wearing with appropriate disinfecting measures should be promoted especially among contacts. There is a need to strengthen national capacities to assess, detect, and respond to public health emergencies.
Authors: Abdulwahed Abduljabar Al Serouri; Yasser Ahmed Ghaleb; Labiba Anam Al Aghbari; Mohammad Abdullah Al Amad; Abdulhakem Sharaf Alkohlani; Khaled Abdullah Almoayed; Aisha Obad Jumaan Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-11-22