Enhancing respiratory disease surveillance to detect COVID-19 in shelters for displaced persons, Thailand–Myanmar border, 2020–2021

Journal article : Review

We developed surveillance guidance for COVID-19 in 9 temporary camps for displaced persons along the Thailand-Myanmar border. Arrangements were made for testing of persons presenting with acute respiratory infection, influenza-like illness, or who met the Thailand national COVID-19 Person Under Investigation case definition. In addition, testing was performed for persons who had traveled outside of the camps in outbreak-affected areas or who departed Thailand as resettling refugees. During the first 18 months of surveillance, May 2020-October 2021, a total of 6,190 specimens were tested, and 15 outbreaks (i.e., >1 confirmed COVID-19 cases) were detected in 7 camps. Of those, 5 outbreaks were limited to a single case. Outbreaks during the Delta variant surge were particularly challenging to control. Adapting and implementing COVID-19 surveillance measures in the camp setting were successful in detecting COVID-19 outbreaks and preventing widespread disease during the initial phase of the pandemic in Thailand.

Authors: Knust, B; Wongjindanon, N; Moe, AA; Herath, L; Kaloy, W

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Journal: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 13
• Pages: S17-S25
• Publication date: 2022-09-27
• DOI: 10.3201/eid2813.220324
• EISSN: 1080-6059
• ISSN: 1080-6040
• Pmid: 36502383
• Language: English
• Keywords: FFR
• Subtype: Review