Research Papers
Hurt AC, Hardie K, Wilson NJ, Deng YM, Osbourn M, Leang SK, Lee RT, Iannello P, Gehrig N, Shaw R, Wark P, caldwell N, Givney RC, Xue L, Mauer-Stroh S, Dwyer DE, Wang B, Smith DW, Levy A, Booy R, Dixit R, Merritt T, Kelso A, Dalton C, Durrheim DN, Barr IG Characteristics of a widespread community cluster of H275Y oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1) pdm09 influenza in Australia. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2012; Epub ahead of print.
Characteristics of a widespread community cluster of H275Y oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1) pdm09 influenza in Australia.
Keywords: Australia; characteristics; Community; In; Influenza; Sentinel Surveillance; Surveillance; Hospital; General; clinical; Patients; Viruses; England; analysis; Mutation
Ng JS, Eastwood K, Walker B, Durrheim DN, Massey PD, Porigneaux P, Kemp R, McKinnon B, Laurie K, Miller D, Bramley E, Ryan U. Evidence of Cryptosporidium transmission between cattle and humans in northern New South Wales. Experimental Parasitology 2012; 130(4): 437-441.
Evidence of Cryptosporidium transmission between cattle and humans in northern New South Wales.
Keywords:Cryptosporidium; transmission; Cattle; Humans; Human; In; New South Wales; Wales
Ooi C. Book Authors Russell D, Bradford D, Fairly C. Syphillis Sexual Health Medicine New Second Edition2012; Chapter 11.
Syphillis
Keywords:
Hurt AC, Hardie K, Wilson NJ, Deng Y, Osbourn M, Gehrig N, Kelso A. Community Transmission of Oseltamivir-Resistant A(H1N1)pdm09 Influenza. The New England Journal of Medicine 2011; 365(26): 2541-2542.
Community Transmission of Oseltamivir-Resistant A(H1N1)pdm09 Influenza.
Keywords:Community; transmission; Influenza
Massey PD, Polkinghorne BG, Durrheim DN, Lower T, Speare R. Blood, guts and knife cuts: reducing the risk of swine brucellosis in feral pig hunters in north-west New South Wales, Australia. Rural and Remote Health 2011; 11:1793. 1-9.
Blood, guts and knife cuts: reducing the risk of swine brucellosis in feral pig hunters in north-west New South Wales, Australia.
Keywords: Australia, Brucellosis, feral pigs, hunting, zoonoses
Kohlagen JK, Massey PD, Durrheim DN. Meeting measles elimination indicators: surveillance performance in a regional area of Australia. Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2011; 2(3):1-5.
Meeting measles elimination indicators: surveillance performance in a regional area of Australia.
Keywords:Measles; Surveillance; In; Australia
Massey PD, Todd K, Osbourn M, Taylor K, Durrheim DN. Invasive pneumococcal disease in New South Wales, Australia: reporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander status improves epidemiology. Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2011; 2(3): 1-4.
Invasive pneumococcal disease in New South Wales, Australia: reporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander status improves epidemiology.
Keywords:Disease; In; New South Wales; Wales; Australia; Aboriginal; Torres Strait Islander; Epidemiology
Hess Im, Massey PD, Durrheim DN, o'Connor S, Graves SR. Preventing Q fever endocarditis: a review of cardiac assessment in hospitalised Q fever patients. Rural and Remote Health 2011; 11:1763. 1-9.
Preventing Q fever endocarditis: a review of cardiac assessment in hospitalised Q fever patients.
Keywords: endocarditis, medical records, physical examination, Q fever.
Paterson B, Caddis R, Durrheim DN. Use of Workplace Absenteeism Surveillance Data for Outbreak Detection. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2011; 17(10): 1963-1964
Use of Workplace Absenteeism Surveillance Data for Outbreak Detection
Keywords: Workplace; Surveillance; Detection
Presanis AM, Pebody PG, Paterson BJ, Tom BDM, Birrell PJ, Charlett A, Lipsitch M, De Angelis D Changes in severity of 2009 pandemic A/H1N1 influenza in England: a Bayesian evidence synthesis British Medical Journal
Changes in severity of 2009 pandemic A/H1N1 influenza in England: a Bayesian evidence synthesis
Keywords:In; Influenza; England
Massey PD, Viney K, Kienene T, Tagaro M, Itogo N, Ituaso-Conway N, Durrheim DN. Ten years on: Highlights and challenges of directly observed treatment short-course as the recommended TB control strategy in four pacific island nations Journal of Rural and Tropical Public Health 2011; 10:44-47.
Ten years on: Highlights and challenges of directly observed treatment short-course as the recommended TB control strategy in four pacific island nations
Keywords: Tuberculosis; DOTS; Pacific Islands; Outer Islands; Program Implementation; Australia; Solomon Islands; Vanuatu; Kiribati; Tuvalu.
Hall R, Durrheim DN. One Health: much more than a slogan. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2011; 22(5-6): 97-98.
Keywords: One Health; Disease; Host; Agent; Environment.
Paterson BJ, Mackenzie JS, Durrheim DN, Smith D. A review of the epidemiology and surveillance of viral zoonotic encephalitis and the impact of human health in Australia. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2011; 22(5-6): 99-104.
Keywords: Epidemiology; Surveillance; Viral; Zoonotic; Encephalitis; Australia.
Hess IMR, Massey PD, Walker B, Middleton DJ, Wright TM. Hendra virus: what do we know? NSW Public Health Bulletin 2011; 22(5-6): 118-122.
Keywords: Hendra Virus; Horses; Flying-Foxes; Mortality; Outbreak; NSW; Queensland.
Virus; Infection; Disease; In; Queensland; mortality; Humans; Human; Australia; Review; Knowledge; methods; Animal; post exposure prophylaxis; Prevention; Vaccination
Coleman Marlize, Coleman Michael, Mabaso ML, Mabuza AM, Kok G, Coetzee M, Durrheim DN. Household and microeconomic factors associated with Malaria in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Transactions and Microeconomic Factors Associated with Malaria in Mpumalanga, Africa, 2010.
Keywords: Malaria; Microeconomic Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Risk Factors; Case-Control Study; South Africa.
Durrheim DN, Bashour H. Measles eradication. The Lancet 2011; 377: 808.
Keywords: Measles; Eradication.
Edmiston N, Merritt T, Ooi C. Make contact: A comparative study of contact tracing strategies. International Journal of STD & AIDS 2010; 21(6): 431-434.
Keywords: Comparative Study; Contact Tracing; Strategies.
Eastwood K, Durrheim DN, Merritt T, Massey PD, Huppatz C, Dalton C, Hope K, Moran L, Speare R, Farrar K. Field exercises are useful for improving public health emergency responses. Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal 2010; 1(1): 1-7.
Keywords: Exercise; Public Health; Emergencies.
Way ASC, Durrheim DN, Merritt T, Vally H. Antiviral distribution data: A potential syndromic surveillance system to assist pandemic health service operational planning. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 2010; 34(3): 303-309.
Keywords: Pandemic Influenza; Antiviral; Syndromic Surveillance; Health Service Planning.
Eastwood K, Durrheim DN, Butler M, Jones A. Responses to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Australia. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2010; 16(8): 1211-1216.
Keywords: Australia; Pandemic; Response.
Miller A, Durrheim DN. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities forgotten in new Australian National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic. Medical Journal of Australia 2010; 193(6): 316-317.
Keywords: Aboriginal; Torres Strait Islander; Community; Human; Influenza.
Carlson SJ, Durrheim DN. Flutracking provides a measure of field influenza vaccine effectiveness, Australia, 2007-2009. Vaccine 2010; 28(42): 6809-6810.
Keywords: Influenza; Vaccine; Effectiveness; Flutracking; Australia.
Carlson SJ, Dalton CB, Durrheim DN, Fejsa J. Online Flutracking survey of influenza-like illness during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Australia. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2010; 16(12): 1960-1962.
Keywords: Survey; Australia; Flutracking; Online; Influenza; Pandemic; H1N1.
Huppatz C, Gawarikar Y, Levi C, Kelly PM, Williams D, Dalton CB, Massey PD, Givney R, Durrheim DN. Should there be a standardised approach to the diagnostic workup of suspected adult encephalitis? A case series from Australia. BMC Infectious Disease 2010; 10:353.
Keywords: Adult; Australia; Diagnostic; Encephalitis.
Hope KG, Merritt TD, Durrheim DN, Massey PD, Kohlhagen JK, Todd KW, D'Este CA. Evaluating the utility of emergency department syndromic surveillance for a regional public health service. Communicable Disease Intelligence 2010; 34(3): 310-318.
Keywords: Syndromic; Surveillance; Disease; Public Health; Evaluation.
Durrheim DN, Reingold A. Modifying the GRADE framework could benefit public health. Journal of Epidemilogy Community Health 2010; 64(5): 387.
Keywords: Public Health; Practice; Health Policy; Policy; Policy Making; Research; Clinical; Clinical Practice; Practice Guidelines; Guidelines; Validation; Deficiency.
Dawood FS, Hope KG, Durrheim DN, Givney R, Fry AM, Dalton CB. Estimating the disease burden of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection in Hunter New England, Northern New South Wales, Australia, 2009. PLoS ONE 2010; 5(3): 1-7.
Keywords: Disease; Burden; Pandemic; Virus; Infection; England; New South Wales; Australia.
Eastwood K, Durrheim DN, Jones A, Butler M. Acceptance of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccination by the Australian public. Medical Journal of Australia 2010; 192(1): 33-36.
Keywords: Pandemic; Influenza; Vaccination; Public; Australian.
Huppatz C, Kelly PM, Levi C, Dalton C, Williams D, Durrheim DN. Encephalitis in Australia, 1979-2006: Trends and aetiologies. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 2009; 33(2): 192-197.
Keywords: Encephalitis; Viral; Infectious; Australia; Emerging; Diseases.
Irwin MJ, Massey PD, Walker B, Durrheim DN. Feral pig hunting: A risk factor for human brucellosis in north-west NSW? NSW Public Health Bulletin 2009; 20(11-12): 193-194.
Keywords: Feral; Pig; Hunting; Brucellosis; NSW.
Ooi C. Screening for sexually transmitted infections. Australian Doctor 2009; published online 23 October 2009: 21-28.
keywords: Screening; Sexually; Transmitted; Infections.
Ooi C. Managing sexually transmitted infections. Australian Doctor 2009; published online 30 October 2009: 21-28.
Keywords: Managing; Sexually; Transmitted, Infections.
Carlson S, Dalton CB, Tuyl F, Durrheim DN, Fejsa J, Muscatello DJ, Francis L, Tursan d'Espaignet E. Flutracking surveillance: Comparing 2007 New South Wales results with laboratory confirmed influenza notifications. Communicable Diseases Intelligence Journal 2009; 33(3): 323-326.
keywords: Flutracking; Surveillance; Comparing; New South Wales; Laboratory; Confirmed; Influnenza; Notifications.
Eastwood K, Durrheim DN, Jones A, Butler M. Acceptance of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza vaccination by the Australian public. Medical Journal of Australia 2009; published online 4 November 2009: 1-4.
Keywords: Acceptance; Pandemic; H1N1; Influenza; Vaccination; Australian; Public.
Dalton CB, Durrheim DN, Fejsa J, Francis L, Tursan d'Espaignet E, Tuyl F, Carlson S. Flutracking: A weekly Australian community online survey of influenza-like illness in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Communicable Diseases Intelligence Journal 2009; 33(3): 316-322.
Flutracking, a weekly online survey of influenza-like illness (ILI) completed by community members has been trialled in the 2006, 2007, and 2008 winter influenza seasons. Participants record their past and current influenza immunisation status and their previous week's experience of cough, fever and time absent from normal activities in less than 15 seconds. Participation rates have steadily increased, more than 70% of respondents reply within 24 hours of the survey being sent and peak weeks of influenza activity detected by Flutracking correspond with those recorded by laboratory influenza surveillance systems.
Dawood FS, Dalton CB, Durrheim DN, Hope KG. Rates of hospitalisation for acute respiratory illness and the emergence of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus in the Hunter New England Area Health Service. Medical Journal of Australia; 191(10): 573-574.
Using diagnostic codes to identify hospitalisations for acute respiratory illness allowed review of the impact of the pandemic virus on Hunter New England hospitalisations. Compared with 2007 and 2008, there was a rapid, early increase in hospitalisations for acute respiratory illness, coinciding with the emergence of H1N1. A disproportionate burden of hospitalisations occurred among people aged 5-61 years with a relatively lower burden among those aged 62 years.
Merritt TD, Massey PD. Isoniazid hypersensitivity in a child. Medical Journal of Australia 2009; 190(7): 397.
Isoniazid is used extensively for the treatment of active and latent tuberculosis (TB). It is generally well tolerated by children, and hypersensitivity reactions resulting in skin rash and requiring cessation of treatment are rarely reported in this age group.
We report a case of isoniazid hypersensitivity in a 21-month-old boy potentially exposed to TB in a childcare setting. He was one of over 80 children screened after contact with a childcare worker who showed a positive smear result.
Tuyl F. Conditional probability and HIV testing: A real-world example. The American Statistician 2009; 63(3): 294-295.
This Letter to the Editor suggests a slight improvement to Bhatti & Wightman (2008), who considered the positive predictive value (PPV) in the context of diagnostic testing, i.e. the probability that a positive test result is correct. The improvement describes the simplicity of updating the PPV when successive tests are applied.
Paterson B, Durrheim DN, Tuyl F. Influenza: H1N1 goes to school. Science 2009; 325: 1071-1072.
A secondary analysis of the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak amongst secondary school students at St. Francis Preparatory School outbreak in the United States allowed calculation of an effective reproduction number in a school-based setting of 2.69 [95% CI: 2.20 to 3.22]. This
may explain the apparent amplification role of schools during the first wave of the H1N1 pandemic
Massey PD, Pearce G, Taylor KA, Orcher L, Saggers S, Durrheim DN. Reducing the risk of pandemic influenza in Aboriginal communities. Rural and Remote Health 2009; published online 3 September 2009; Article 1290: 1-7.
Aboriginal people have borne the brunt of severe disease during previous pandemics and this has also been the case during the first wave of the H1N1 09 pandemic in Australia. This paper describes the process and findings from preliminary community consultations into reducing influenza risk, including pandemic H1N1(09) swine influenza, in six Aboriginal communities in the Hunter New England area of northern New South Wales, Australia.
The consultations further developed shared understanding between health services and Aboriginal communities about appropriate and culturally safe ways to reduce the influenza risk in communities.
Eastwood K, Durrheim DN, Massey PD, Kewley C. Australia's pandemic 'Protect' strategy: The tension between prevention and patient management. Rural and Remote Health 2009; published online 4 September 2009; Article1288: 1-7.
Since the first case of the pandemic influenza strain, H1N109 was identified in Australia on 7 May 2009 there have been valuable opportunities to gain experience and learnings for future emergencies. The early response involved an intense containment effort lasting 7 weeks but this was unable to prevent local community transmission in some areas of Australia. However, despite outbreaks in densely populated areas of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, much of the outback was unaffected. By the end of the Containment Phase, most parts of rural NSW had only recorded low rates of confirmed H1N109 infection. As rural areas of Australia often provide poorer access to health services than their urban counterparts, they are likely to be more affected by an extended emergency, even one as moderate as the present H1N109 swine influenza pandemic. It is possible that extending containment measures in less affected areas could have had significant benefits that would have been especially useful for communities where large numbers of vulnerable people such as Indigenous Australians reside. Although containment is worthwhile in limiting the spread of disease in specific situations it is unlikely to change the course of a pandemic unless it can be sustained until a large proportion of the population is vaccinated. Significant advantages can be gained by encouraging strenuous containment efforts in outbreaks of severe disease, particularly those caused by novel infectious agents with a low reproductive rate. As advances in vaccine manufacture reduce the time taken to produce a new vaccine, the benefits of investing in containment will be even more worthwhile.
Huppatz C, Durrheim DN, Levi C, Dalton C, Williams D, Clements MS, Kelly PM. Etiology of Encephalitis in Australia, 1990-2007. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2009; 15(9): 1359-1365.
Rates of hospitalization for patients with encephalitis in Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, were reviewed from January 1990 through December 2007 and encephalitis accounted for an average annual hospitalization rate of 5.2/100,000 population. During this period Toxoplasma encephalitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis showed notable declines. The high proportion of encephalitis with no known etiology may conceal emergence of novel pathogens. Unexplained encephalitis should be investigated, and encephalitis hospitalizations should be subject to statutory notification in Australia.
Guimont C, Hullick C, Durrheim DN, Ryan N, Ferguson J, Massey P. Invasive Meningococcal disease: Improving management structured review of cases in the Hunter New England area, Australia. Journal of Public Health Advance Access 2009; 1-6.
All notified invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases over a 2 year period (24 in total) in the HunterNew England Health area were reviewed by an expertpanel to identify key correctable issues in themanagement of IMD.
Amongst the avoidable factors identified, length of delay in initiating antibiotic therapywas a particularly important issue to address.
Eastwood K, Durrheim DN, Francis JL, Tursan d'Espaignet E, Duncan S, Islam F, Speare R. Knowledge about pandemic influenza and compliance with containment measures among Australians. World Health Organisation Bulletin 2009; 87(8): 588-594.
Objective
To explore the willingness of the Australian public to comply with public health directives during an influenza pandemic event.
Methods
Information was gathered from a representative sample of Australians regarding their knowledge of pandemic influenza and willingness to comply with public health control measures. Following initial data collection, respondents were provided with a detailed description of pandemic influenza to ensure they understood the significance of the issue. The questions on compliance were repeated and changes in responses were analysed with McNemar’s test for paired data.
Findings
Less than a quarter of the 1166 respondents demonstrated a clear understanding of the term “pandemic influenza”. Stated willingness to comply with control measures was high with 94.1% reporting compliance with home quarantine; 94.2% expressed willingness to avoid public events; and 90.7%, were prepared to postpone social gatherings. After the meaning of “pandemic” was explained to all respondents, stated compliance increased significantly (to 97.5%, 98.3% and 97.2% respectively). Those less familiar with the term “pandemic influenza,” males and employed people not able to work from home were less willing to comply.
Conclusion In Australia, compliance with containment measures against pandemic influenza is likely to be high, should a pandemic arise, yet it could be further enhanced through a public education programme conveying just a few key messages. A basic understanding of pandemic influenza is associated with reported willingness to comply with containment measures. Investing in promoting measures to prepare for a pandemic or other health emergency will have considerable value for future eventualies.
Massey PD, Durrheim DN, Way A. Q-Fever vaccination: Unfinished business in Australia. Vaccine 2009; 27(29): 3801.
Keywords: Q-Fever; Vaccination; Australia.
Massey PD, Irwin M, Durrheim DN Enchanced Q-Fever risk exposure surveillance may permit better informed vaccination policy. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 2009; 33(1): 41-45.
A review of New South Wales notifications from 1993 to 2007 and a retrospective case series were conducted using acute Q fever cases notified during 2007 from a rural area of New South Wales. Occupation was recorded for less than 50% of Q fever notifications and there was a significant increase in the ‘Farmer/Livestock’ category. In the month prior to illness onset 78% of notified cases reported direct contact with animals. Newly introduced livestock appeared to be of particular importance. 93% of cases required time off work or school, with a median of 21 days due to their Q fever disease. Improved surveillance fields are required to better describe risk exposures to inform vaccine policy.
Osborn M, McPhie KA, Ratnamohan VM, Dwyer DE, Durrheim. Outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus infection in a residential aged care facility. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 2009; 33(1): 38-40.
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was detected by polymerase chain reaction assay in 3 specimens during a respiratory illness outbreak in an aged care facility during summer 2008. No other respiratory pathogens found. This is the first reported outbreak of hMPV in an aged care facility in Australia and this pathogen should be considered as the possible cause of outbreaks in aged care facilities when influenza and respiratory syncytial virus have been excluded.
Huppatz C, Capuano C, Palmer K, Kelly PM, Durrheim DN. Lessons from the Pacific programme to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis: A case study of 5 countries. BMC Infectious Diseases 2009; 9(92): 1-6.
The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis aims to eliminate LF as a public health problem by the year 2020. By June 2007, five of the eleven countries classified as endemic had completed five Mass Drug Administration campaigns and post-MDA prevalence surveys to assess their progress. Of the five countries in this case study, three countries (Tonga, Niue and Vanuatu) reached the target prevalence of <1% antigenaemia following five rounds of MDA. Limitations in the data preclude identification of key determinants of this achievement.
Coleman Marlize, Coleman Michael, Mabuza AM, Kok G, Coetzee M, Durrheim DN. Using the SaTScan method to detect local malaria clusters for guiding malaria control programmes. Malaria Journal 2009; 8: 68.
SaTScan software using the Kulldorf method of retrospective space-time permutation
and the Bernoulli purely spatial model was used to identify malaria clusters using
definitively confirmed individual cases in seven towns over three malaria seasons.
SaTScan detected five space-clusters and two space-time clusters during the study period.
Massey PD, Miller A, Durrheim DN, Speare R, Saggers S, Eastwood K. Pandemic influenza containment and the cultural and social context of Indigenous communities. Rural and Remote Health 2009; 9: 1179 (1-3).
The needs of marginalized communities have often been neglected in pandemic planning. For containment strategies to succeed genuine and respectful partnerships with Indigenous people are essentail.
Edmiston N, Ooi C, Otton G, Boyle M. Vulval Crohn's disease. Sexual Health 2009; 6(1): 87-89.
A case of Vulval Crohn's disease is presented, the features of which were complicated by the presence of sexually transmissible infections.
Durrheim DN. E-surveillance: Don't neglect sentinels in developing countries. The Lancet 327(96): 2021-2022.
The promise of e-surveillance for alerting us to emerging infectious diesease epidemics is being fulfilled. The power of HealthMap, ProMed-mail, and the Global Public Health Intelligence Network to interrogate available global electronic and print data for infectious disease surveillance.
Moses N, Wiggers J, Nicholas N. Persistence of unmet need for care among people with systemic lupus erythematosus: A longitudinal study. Quality of Life Research 17(6): 867-876.
The extent and variability of unmet care needs over time of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not previously been reported. A prospective study has been undertaken to determine the variability over time of such needs.
The results of the study suggest there is unacceptable persistence of care needs not being met. There is an ongoing need to identify mechanisms to help enhance care delivery so that the care needs of people with SLE are more effectively addressed.
Ewald BD, Webb CE, Durrheim DN, Russell RC. Is there a risk of malaria transmission in NSW? NSW Public Health Bulletin 19(7-8): 127-131.
Although Anopheles annulipes occurs in NSW it has been many years since the local transmission was documented. The factors known to influence malaria transmission are critically reviewed to determine current risk of introduction and transmission, and appropriate public health strategies to address this risk.
Vellama SC, Durrheim D, Smith JE. Diagnosing childhood tuberculosis in rural clinics in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Curationis 2008; 31(1): 52-58.
Tuberculosis is a severe disease in young children and diagnosing tuberculosis in children is complex particularly challenging in developing countries where resources and access to sophisticated facilities are limited. As relatively low rates of childhood tuberculosis notification suggested tuberculosis may have been under-diagnosed in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa a study was conducted to determine the ability of the primary health care nurses to diagnose childhood tuberculosis in primary care public health facilities in Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga Province. The study found limited use of complementary clinical and epidemiological features and diagnostic approaches to diagnose childhood tuberculosis. Child contacts screening was performed relatively infrequently and the diagnostic score chart advocated by the World Health Organization was rarely used. Nurses specifically trained on tuberculosis were more knowledgeable about diagnostic approaches and all respondents who were using the score chart had received specific tuberculosis training.
Hope K, Durrheim D, Muscatello D, Merritt T, Zheng W, Massey P, Cashman P, Eastwood K. Identifying pneumonia outbreaks of public health importance: Can emergency department data assist in earlier identification? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 2008; 32(4): 361-363.
We reviewed the performance of a near real-time Emergency Department (ED) Syndromic Surveillance System for identifying pneumonia outbreaks of public health importance. Retrospective data from a rural hospital that has experienced a cluster of pneumonia diagnoses among teenage males was used. With current thresholds, the ED syndromic surveillance system would have trigged a signal for pneumonia syndrome in children aged 5-16 years four days earlier than the notification by a paediatrician and this signal was maintained for 14 days.
Esler D, Ooi C, Merritt T. Sexual health care for sex workers. Australian Family Physician 2008; 37(7): 590-592.
36 sex industry workers at registered brothels in the Newcastle area of Hunter New England were interviewed in 2007 to assess current service delivery and barriers to accessing sexual health care.
The majority of participants sought sexual health advice from a general practitioner (74%) compared to 37% who attended the sexual health unit. Seventy-seven percent of participants reported having their sexual health screening carried out according to guidelines. The inconvenience of clinic opening times was the most frequently reported reason for not using the sexual health unit.
This study reinforces the important role that GPs play in providing sexual health care to sex industry workers.
Dalton CB, Durrheim DN, Conroy MA. Likely impact of school and childcare closures on Public Health workforce during an Influenza Pandemic: A survey. Communicable Disease Intelligence 2008; 32(2): 261-262.
An influenza pandemic, is likely to result in public health staff not reporting to work due to illness, transport disruptions or care responsibilities. A survey of public health staff found that 38% of staff may be absent due to the impact of childcare and school closure, however 73% of these staff would be able to work from home with most having broadband Internet access (71%).
Eastwood K, Osbourn M, Francis L, Merritt T, Nicholas N, Cashman P, Durrheim DN, Wiggers J. Improving communicable disease outbreak preparedness in residential aged care facilities using an interventional interview strategy. Australasian Journal of Ageing 2008; 27(3): 143-149.
A study was conducted in 2005/6 to improve the capacity of residential aged care facilities (RACFs) to respond to communicable disease outbreaks. Three computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted. The first survey gathered baseline information and then outbreak prevention resources were offered to address any perceived weaknesses. Subsequent surveys enabled the facilities’ progress to be monitored. Before the third survey, RACFs were sent a scorecard providing their standing against 19 readiness criteria. The number of RACFs with an outbreak management plan increased from 58 to 98%, and facilities reporting 16 or more of the 19 readiness criteria rose from 24 to 43% (P< 0.0006) at the second interview and 73% at the third interview (P< 0.0001). The strategy resulted in a substantial improvement in reported outbreak readiness.
Ewald B, Durrheim DN. Australian Bat Lyssavirus: Examination of post-exposure treatment in NSW. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2008; 19(5-6): 104-107.
This review of the literature ten years after the identification of Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL), provides best practice evidence for management and control of this recently emerged lyssavirus. The review provided the evidence for bringing post-exposure treatment against ABL in line with international approaches to lyssavirus 1 (classical rabies).
Cashman P, Hueston L, Durrheim DN, Massey P, Doggett S, Russell R. Barmah Forest virus serology: Implications for diagnosis and public health action. Communicable Disease Intelligence 2008; 32(2): 263-265.
Barmah Forest notifications diagnosed by a single positive IgM serology test have been increasing in the lower mid north coast of New South Wales. A prospective review of all routine notifications of BFV that 19% of patient sera contained no BFV antibodies, while 16% had BFV IgG only. A clinical presentation of fever with either rash or joint pain was associated with confirmation of recent BFV infection. Caution is advised in the interpretation of a single positive IgM for Barmah Forest disease.
Barnes KI, Little F, Mabuza A, Mngomezulu N, Govere J, Durrheim DN, Roper C, Watkins B, White N. Increased Gametocytemia after treament: An early parasitological indicator of emerging sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance in Falciparum Malaria. The Journal of Infectious Disease 2008; 197(11): 1605-1613.
Reducing the carriage of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes is critical for limiting malaria transmission and the spread of resistance. Biannual assessment of clinical and parasitological responses to the fixed-dose combination of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine in patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria provided evidence that increased duration and density of gametocyte carriage after sulfadoxine pyrimethamine treatment was an early indicator of drug resistance. This increased gametocytemia among patients who have primary infections with drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum fuels the spread of resistance even before treatment failure rates increase significantly.
Huppatz C, Durrheim DN, Lammie P, Kelly P, Melrose M. Eliminating lymphatic filariasis - the surveillance challenge. Tropical Medicine and International Health Journal 2008; 13(3): 292-294.
Lymphatic filariasis is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. In 1997, the WHO launched the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, which aims to eliminate LF from 80 countries in which it is endemic, by the year 2020 using a primary strategy of annual mass drug administration for five years. Now that a number of countries have completed their planned number of MDA rounds important decisions are required about future surveillance needs. This paper reviews the challenges of surveillance of an infection that is often asymptomatic for an extended period, has relatively poor surveillance diagnostic tests available and which is becoming increasingly rare.
Coleman M, Coleman M, Kok G, Coetzee M, Durrheim D. Evaluation of an operational malaria outbreak identification and response system in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Malaria Journal 2008; 7(69): 1-26.
Pending
Ng J, Eastwood K, Durrheim DN, Massey P, Walker B, Armson A, Ryan U. Evidence supporting zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium in rural New South Wales. Experiemental Parasitology Journal 2008; 119(1): 192-195.
Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum are the two species primarily responsible for causing infection in humans. The study took Cryptosporidium in 7 human and 15 cattle cases of sporadic cryptosporidiosis in rural western NSW during the period from November 2005 to January 2006 and identified them to the level of species/genotype and subgenotypes. This was determined by PCR sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA and C. parvum and C. hominis isolates were subgenotyped by sequence analysis of the GP60 gene. Fourteen of 15 cattle-derived isolates were identified as C. parvum and 1 as a C. bovis/C. parvum mixture. Four of the human isolates were C. parvum and 3 were C. hominis. Two different subgenotypes were identified with the human C. hominis isolates and six different subgenotypes were identified within the C. parvum species from humans and cattle. All of the C. parvum subtypes found in humans were also found in the cattle, suggesting that zoonotic transmission may be an significant contributor to sporadic human cases of cryptosporidiosis in rural NSW.
Cretikos M, Eastwood K, Durrheim DN. Exercise Paton: A simulation exercise to test New South Wales emergency departments' response to pandemic influenza. Communicable Disease Intelligence Journal 2008; 31(4): 419-419.
The short report on the influenza pandemic exercise, Exercise Paton, clearly demonstrates Australia’s commitment to preparing for an influenza pandemic. The exercise focused on containment activities, which forms the first phase of any Australian response. In order for containment to be effective, public health staff need to be able to rapidly identify suspected cases of pandemic influenza. Furthermore, successful home quarantine for contacts of pandemic influenza cases will depend on their ability to reliably monitor themselves for symptoms of influenza, including fever. The interim case definition for pandemic influenza includes a specific criterion for fever of ≥38ºC. The assumption that most community contacts of pandemic influenza will have a thermometer at home may be misguided as there is scant information regarding the availability of thermometers in Australian households. Data we collected during the storms in the Hunter region of NSW in June 2007 showed that only 48% (95% confidence interval 41-54%) of households had a thermometer available at home.
Huppatz C, Durrheim DN. Control of neglected tropical diseases. New England Journal of Medicine 2007; 357(23): 2407-2408.
The need for surveillance for the neglected tropical diseases is advocated. Despite resource and methodological challenges, without adequate surveillance the ultimate success of programmes will not be able to be established, nor ongoing elimination confirmed.
Massey P, Durrheim DN, Speare R. Inadequate chemoprophylaxis and the risk of malaria Australian Family Physician 2007; 36(12): 1058-1060.
BACKGROUND
Malaria is an important disease for Australian travellers, particularly to Papua New Guinea. Chemoprophylaxis along with mosquito-bite prevention strategies are effective in preventing malaria in travellers. During 2007, six people were diagnosed with malaria from a group of 38 who had travelled to Papua New Guinea. This cluster of cases prompted a public health investigation.
METHOD
A retrospective cohort investigation into malaria risk in a group of adult Australians that trekked the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea was undertaken.
RESULTS
All of the group members were contacted and agreed to be a part of the investigation. Of the 12 individuals who took chemoprophylaxis for the recommended period post-travel none developed malaria compared to 4/24 travellers who terminated prophylaxis prematurely, and 2/2 developed malaria who had taken no chemoprophylaxis for the trip.
DISCUSSION
Chemoprophylaxis is effective if taken for the full recommended period following travel to a malaria endemic area. The recommendations for the post-travel period are: 4 weeks for doxycycline and mefloquine, and 7 days for atovaquone+proguanil.
Todd K, Durrheim DN, Pickles R, Eastwood K, Merritt T, Tapsall J, Sanghamitra R, Limnios A. Using epidemiological and molecular methods to investigate an outbreak of Gonorrhoea associated with heterosexual contact in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Sexual Health 2007; 4(4): 233-236.
Gonorrhoea is a laboratory-notifiable condition in NSW under the NSW Public Health Act 1991. The Hunter New England Health Area in NSW, with its population of 840 000, has an average of 49 notifications of gonococcal infection per annum (range 27-69 based on notifications for 1996-2004). By the third week of October 2005, it was noted that 16 cases of gonorrhoea had already been notified for that month. A retrospective epidemiological investigation of all notified cases and to prospectively followup all new notifications to determine risk factors for transmission and explore possible links between cases with a view to defining and interrupting the outbreak.
Govere JM, Durrheim DN (Debboun M, Frances SP, Strickman DA). Insect repellents: Principles, methods, and uses chapter techniques for evaluating insect repellents. Taylor & Francis CRC Press 2007; 084371961: Chapter 8: 147-159.
Evaluation of insect repellents should be as simple and practical as possible to encourage standard comparison and universal acceptance. Although candidate repellents should be taken to the field to determine protection time and effectiveness under field.
Cashman P, Durrheim D, Massey P, Islam F, Merritt T, Eastwood K. Pneumonia cluster in a boarding school - implications for influenza control. Communicable Disease Intelligence Journal 2007; 31(3): 296-298.
An outbreak of community acquired pneumonia affected 25 previously well students in a New South Wales boarding school, with Streptococcus pneumoniae 1 confirmed in two cases. The school experienced a concurrent influenza outbreak with a high influenza-like illness attack rate peaking at 27% in Year 8 students.
Chui C, Durrheim D. A review of the efficacy of human Q fever vaccine registered in Australia. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2007; 18(7-8):133-136.
Australia has a registered Q fever vaccine that is recommended in high risk occupational groups. A literature review found that its efficacy ranged from 83-100% but study designs limitations hampered a precise estimate. The Q fever vaccine available in Australia has considerable protective benefit in established high-risk environments, particularly of an occupational nature.
Irwin M, Lloyd A, Massey P. Bug Breakfast in the Bulletin: Q fever. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2007; 18(7-8): 137-138.
Q fever remains a significant public health concern, particularly for rural communities. Australia has access to the only licensed vaccine against Q fever available worldwide (QVax, CSL Ltd). Immunisation of high-risk occupational groups has been the major population control method; however, significant gaps reamin in our knowledge of the optimal immunisation strategy.
Mehta U, Durrheim D, Mabuza A, Blumberg L, Allen E, Barnes K. Malaria Pharmacovigilance in Africa: Lessons from a pilot project in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Drug Safety 2007; 30(10): 899-910.
A pharmacovigilance strategy consisting of five methods of detecting serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and signals related to artesunate plus sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine was implemented in rural Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The evaluation demonstrated taht multifacted montitoring throughtout the malaria patient journey is necessary in developing countries imlementing new treatments to safegaurd against missing serious complications associated with malaria treatment.
Durrheim D, Kelly H, Ferson M, Featherstone D. Remaining measles challenges in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia 2007; 187(3): 181-184.
Measles is now rare in Australia, and cases are usually linked to importation from endemic countries.
To prevent measles outbreaks in Australia, high vaccination coverage with two doses of the vaccine must be sustained.
Vally H, Dowse G, Eastwood K, Cameron S. An outbreak of Chickenpox at a child care centre in Western Australia: Costs to the community and implications for vaccination policy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 2007; 31(2): 113-119.
Between May and June 2002 an outbreak of Chickenpox (CP) occurred at a child care centre in Perth, Western Australia. An epidemiological study was undertaken in order to determine the characteristics of the outbreak, assess vaccine effectiveness, and direct and indirect costs associated with CP infections in young children.
Merritt T, Sintchenko V, Jelfs P, Worthing M, RObinson B, Durrheim D, Gilbert G. An outbreak of pulmonary tuberculosis in young Australians. Medical Journal of Australia 2007; 186(5): 240-242.
Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for pulmonary TB in a person presenting with a cough lasting more than 3 weeks, weight loss, haemoptysis, night sweats and also chest pain, even if the person is not an overseas-born or elderly. A comprehensive tuberculosis genotyping network at regional and national level in Australia could help identify clusters resulting from recent transmission.
Mehta U, Durrheim D, Blumberg L, Donohue S, Hansford F, Mabuza A, Kruger P, Gumede K, Immelman E, Canal Sanchez A, Hugo J, Swart G, Barnes K. Malaria deaths as sentinel events to monitor healthcare delivery and antimalarial drug safety. Tropical Medicine and International Health 2007; 12(5): 617-628.
To identify case management, health system and antimalarial drug factors contributing to malaria deaths. A confidential enquiry into malaria-related deaths is a useful tool for identifying the preventable factors, health system failures and also adverse reactions.
Dalton C. Business continuity management and pandemic influenza. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2006; 17(9-10): 138-141.
Pandemic influenza planning presents challenges for both government and businesses. Effective cooperation and communication before and also during a pandemic will help mitigate the major threats to societal function. The major challenges for governement include communicating a realistic estimate of pandemic risk, managing community anxiety, communicating the need for rationing of vaccines and antiviral medications, setting standards for preparedness, and gaining the trust of essential service workers. For businesses the challenges are tailoring generic planning guides to local use, and making links with local and regional partners in pandemic planning.
Muscatello D, Cretikos M, Bartlett M, Churches T, Carter I, Eastwood K, Heron L, McPhie K. Planning for pandemic influenza surveillance in NSW. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2006; 17(9-10): 146-149.
Early detection of the novel strain of influenza virus in NSW population is the key to controlling a pandemic. If this occurs, then ongoing surveillance will help determine the epidemiology and risk factors of the virus as well as its impact on essential services.
Sharp B, Kleinschmidt I, Streat E, Maharaj R, Barnes K, Durrheim D, Ridl F, Morris N, Seocharan I, Kunene S, Grange J, Mthembu J, Maartens F, Martin C, Barreto A. Seven years of regional Malaria control collaboration - Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland. Americal Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2007; 76(1): 42-47.
The Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative is a joint development program between governments of Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Africa which includes malaria control as a core component.
Wynd S, Carron J, Selve B, Leggat P, Melrose P, Durrheim D. Qualitative analysis of the impact of a lymphatic filariasis elimination programme using mass drug administration on Misima Island, Papua New Guinea. Filaria Journal 2007; 6(1): 1-1.
Although interim evaluation indicates the programme has been parasitologically successful, an appreciation that sustainable health gains depend on the understanding and accommodating of local beliefs prompted this qualitative study.
Ferson MJ, Durrheim DN. Investing in capacity to meet the challenge of an influenza pandemic. NSW Health Bulletin 2006; 17: 129-130.
Further developments and improvements in systems, including the staged introduction of electronic transfer of laboratory notifications and the linking of influenza diagnostic data from animal to human sources, will place NSW in a good position to provide assistance.
Eastwood K, Massey P, Durrheim D. Pandemic planning at the coal face: Responsibilities of the Public Health Unit. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2006; 17(7-8): 117-120.
Responding to an infectious disease pandemic requires a coordinated approach from all the essential services. Public health units across NSW will plan an important role in a range of control activities. These include: surveillance, education, communication, case ascertainment, case management (excluding clinical management), infection control, contact tracing, monitoring contacts in home quarantine, surveillance at borders, epidemiological studies and immunisation. Public health units are currently planning for such an emergency and these plans will need to be tested and refined under simulated conditions.
Durrheim D, Ferson M. Preparing for the inevitable - An influenza pandemic. NSW Public Health Bulletin 2006; 17(7): 97-98.
The world is currently at 'Global Phase 3' of the World Health Organisation's influenza pandemic alert phases. Given instability of the influenza virus, the world is waiting for the first influenza pandemic of the twenty-first century. Preparation is essential and is discussed within this paper.
Durrheim D, Massey P, Kelly H. Re-emerging poliomyelitis - is Australia's surveillance adequate? Communicable Diseases Intelligence 2006; 30(3): 275-277.
In the past two years there has been a resurgence of polio, 21 previously polio-free countries importing wild poliovirus. Wild poliovirus importations into polio-free areas continue to occur until endemic transmission is interrupted globally.
Burkot TR, Durrheim D, Melrose WD, Speare R, Ichimori K. The argument for integrating vector control with multiple drug administration campaigns to ensure elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis. Filaria Journal 2006; 5(10): 1-7.
Although the global lymphatic filariasis elimination programme is based on repeated annual mass drug therapy there are indications that this will not be adequate to ensure elimination in all environments.
Johnstone E, Knight J, Gillham K, Campbell E, Nicholas C, Wiggers J. System-wide adoption of health promotion practices by schools: Evaluation of a telephone and mail-based dissemination strategy in Australia. Health promotion International Oxford Journals 2006; 21(3): 209-218.
Schools can potentially benefit from system-wide approaches to the dissemination of health promotion practices. This intervention study undertaken in the Hunter Region of NSW, Australia used a pre-post design to assess whether the phone and mail intervention dissemination strategy was associated with an increase in the proportion of 218 primary schools undertaking eight health promotion practices.
Finch M, Sutherland R, Harrison M, Collins C. Canteen purchasing practices of year 1-6 primary school children and association with SES and weight status. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 2006; 30(3): 247-251.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Primary schools were randomly selected from a list of government schools and 5,206 students from years 1-6, 16 schools were invited to participate.
Findings show the majority of children in the study bring their recess snack and lunch from home. However, the majority of children do use the school canteen and less healthy foods and high-sugar drinks are commonly purchased.
Speare R, Latasi F, Nelesone T, Harmen S, Melrose W, Durrheim D, Heukelbach J. Prevalence of soil transmitted nematodes on Nukufetau, a remote Pacific Island in Tuvalu. BMC Infectious Diseases 2006; 6:110-110.
Nukufetau is a remote coral atoll island in the nation of Tuvalu in the Western Pacific. Annual mass drug administration with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole occurred in 2001, 2002 and 2003 for lymphatic filariasis elimination with the last MDA occurring six months before a cross-sectional survey of the whole population for soil transmitted helminths (STH).
The results of this survey suggest that although the MDA appears to have reduced hookworm prevalence in residents below 30 years of age, there has been minimal effect on Trichuris prevalence. An integrated program to control STH is required.
Kypri K, Donaldson A, Johnstone E. The physical inactivity matrix: Lessons from the classifications of physical inactivity interventions. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 2006; 9: 98-102.
The aims of this study were to (1) develop a system for classifying physical inactivity intervention studies, (2) examine the distribution of the PI interventions published in the peer-reviewed health literature using a developed system, and (3) consider implications for future research.
Williams K, Leonard H, d'Espaignet Tursan E, Colvin L, Slack-Smith L, Stanley F. Hospitalisation from birth to 5 years in a population cohort of Western Australian children with intellectual disability. Archives if Disease in Childhood 2005; 90: 1243-1248.
Although intellectual disability (ID) comprises about 7% of all disabling conditions in Australia, relatively little is known about its causes and sequelae. A similar situation applies in other economically developed countries.
This paper points to the need for authorities to develop supportive programmes for this population especially in the current climate of de-medicalisation of ID. More research is not only needed on the welfare of the affected children but also on the impact of the substantial medical and other needs of affected children on the rest of their immediate and extended families.
Wright A, Harris M, Wiggers J, Jorm A, Cotton S, Harrigan S, Hurworth R, McGorry P. Recognition of depression and psychosis by young Australians and their beliefs about treatment. Medical Journal of Australia 2005; 183(1): 18-23.
A survey was conducted as a baseline measure for the community awareness campaign. The survey identified gaps in mental health literacy which may help to improve community educations and the responsiveness of the health care system, thus ensuring that youth are offered early intervention the benefits of early treatment are realised.
Mabuza A, Govere J, la Grange K, M ngomezulu N, Allen E, Zitha A, M bokazi M, Durrheim D, Barnes K. Therapeutic efficacy of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. South African Medical Journal 2005; 95(5): 346-349.
The therapeutic efficacy of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) was determined 5 years after introduction as first-line treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Ho Y, Muller R, Veitch C, Rane A, Durrheim D. Faecal incontinence: An unrecognised epidemic in rural North Queensland? Results of a hospital-based outpatient study. Australian Journal of Public Health 2005; 13(1): 28-34.
The prevalence of faecal incontinence (FI) in a referral hospital outpatient population in North Queensland was determined as 20.7%. The median duration of FI was 2 years with more than half of those affected soiling themselves at least once a month.
Nelesone T, Durrheim D, Speare R, Kiedrzynski T, Melrose W. Strengthening sub-national communicable disease surveillance in a remote Pacific Island country by adapting a successful African outbreak surveillance model. Tropical Medicine and International Health 2006; 11(1): 17-21.
The SARS pandemic proved that global communicable disease surveillance was only as robust as sub-national surveillance in each developing country. Effective sub-national surveillance depends on effective bidirectional information flow to and from clinicians. Resource-poor countries often struggle to establish and maintain the crucial link with the periphery. A simple syndrome-based outbreak surveillance system initially developed and evaluated in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa was adapted for the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu.
Monaghan, K. A country's hidden and untapped resource: Exploring attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and knowledge of hygiene in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Environmental Health 2005; 5(1): 62-72.
A qualitative study using participatory action research was used to explore attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and knowledge of hygiene and hygiene related behaviour involving 122 women and 89 men in Kandahar, Afghanistan over a four-week period in Dec/Jan 2, this paper discusses findings.
Dürrheim DN, Williams HA. Assuring effective malaria treatment in Africa: Drug efficacy is necessary but not sufficient. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2005; 59(3): 178-179.
Malaria drug resistance has resulted in dramatic increases in malaria prevalence and mortality during the past decade in sub-Saharan Africa. The early results from field trials of artemisinin containing combination therapy (ACT) have been promising.
Oberdorfer A, Wiggers J, Bowman J, Burrows S, Cockburn J, Considine R. Monitoring and educational feedback to improve the compliance of tattooists and body piercers with infection control standards: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Infection Control 2004; 32(3): 147-154.
A randomised control trial was conducted amongst 37 tattooists and body-piercing premises in Sydney, NSW Australia. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of an audit and feedback strategy in increasing tattooists and piercers' infection control compliance with infection control standards.