PROGRAM BRIEFER
EMERGING/ RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES (EREID) PROGRAM
A. OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM:
Emerging and re-emerging infections (e.g., SARS, meningococcemia, Avian Influenza or bird flu,
A (H1N1) virus infection) threaten countries all over the world. Emerging infections is defined as newly
diagnosed or previously unknown infections. This may include new or drug-resistant infections whose
incidence in humans has increased within the past two decades or whose incidence threatens to increase
in the near future. Re-emerging infections are defined as secondary to the reappearance of a previously
eliminated infection or an unexpected increase in the number of a previously known infectious disease.
In 2003, SARS affected at least 30 countries with most of the countries from Asia. In response to
its sudden and unexpected emergence, quarantine and isolation measures and rapid contract tracing were
carried out. The Philippines was able to minimize the impact of SARS through effective information
dissemination, risk communication, and efficient conduct of measures.
The unexpected and unusual increase in cases of meningococcal disease (meningococcemia as
the predominant form) in the Cordillera Autonomous Region resulted to at least 50% of cases in the early
stage of occurrence.
In 2009, the influenza A (H1N1) virus infection led to global epidemic, or most popularly known as
pandemic. On June 11, 2009, a full pandemic alert was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, some local health offices from many provinces were not able to respond effectively and
rapidly. With the lack of strong linkages and coordinating mechanisms, the Department of Health (DOH)
hopes to further improve the functionality and effectiveness of local response systems.
Efforts to prepare for emerging infections with potential for causing high morbidity and mortality are
being done by the program. Applicable prevention and control measures are being integrated while the
existing systems and organizational structures are further strengthened.
The community is the source of outbreaks and is determined only when they are admitted in the
hospitals. Policies have been disseminated to the rural and urban health units for its preparedness for
upcoming outbreaks. It is a fact that emergence or re- emergence of an outbreak is inevitable.
The National Objectives for Health (NOH) 2011- 2016 contains the strategic plan that the health
sector plans to achieve. Activities are integrated with those of the Epidemiology Surveillance Unit and
Health Promotions Unit.
General objective:
- To strengthen the existing surveillance and response structures in both the hospital and community
health unit to prepare, detect and manage EREID in the community.
Specific objective:
1. To enhance capacities of health facilities to enhance case detection and response;
2. To conduct visits by monitoring, coaching and mentoring prioritized health facilities
3. To enhance capacities of health facilities and local health units to prepare for emerging and re-
emerging infectious diseases (EREID);
4. To inform the community to take action for health, through tri media campaigns and issuances of
health advisories
Current Status
Outbreaks identified as a public health event of regional/ national concern (PHERC/ PHENC):
Disease/ Event No. of Cases per Year
2014 and 2015 2016 2017
Below
Meningococcemia 2004-2008 Confirmed: Confirmed: 1 Confirmed: 2 Confirmed: 0
215
Deaths: 107 Death: 0 Death: 0 Death: 0
Measles 2010 Confirmed: Suspected Suspected Suspected
81 Cases: 89 Cases: 57 Cases: 67
Deaths: 0 Confirmed: Confirmed: Confirmed:
58 13 46
Death: 0 Death: 0 Death: 0
Public health events of previous years are continuously monitored for immediate control and management.
A single case of Meningococcemia and Measles may cause subsequent transmission and outbreaks. The
influenza like illness (ILI) surveillance and the severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance
continue to monitor for new strains that may become pandemics like influenza AH1N1 infection.
Infections posing a threat of importation and local transmission:
Disease No. of Cases
2015 2016 2017
Philippines Philippines CAR
Confirmed Confirmed Confirmed Deaths
MERSCoV 3 0 0 0
Ebola 0 0 0 0
Zika 0 15 0 0
Avian Flu 0 0 0 0
The entry and local transmission of new diseases is a growing concern, due to presence of sea and air
ports. The monitoring of international health situations is a continuous activity to ensure prevention of its
entry, preparation of health systems and formulation of response guidelines and policies
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center is the regional laboratory capable of Bacteriological
tests. Most of specimens for viral identification are forwarded to Research Institute for Tropical
Medicine (RITM).
The region has an existing incident command system which is activated during emergencies,
including outbreaks.
B. 2017 ACTIVITIES
B.1. Capability Building Activities:
- Rapid Response Team Training (regionwide)
- Quick Response teams trained for Ebola and MERS CoV
Province/ City Health Office Hospitals
Abra Provincial Health Office Abra Provincial Hospital
Apayao Conner District Hospital
Far North General Hospital and
Training Center
Benguet Provincial Health Office Benguet General Hospital
Ifugao Provincial Health Office Panopdopan District Hospital
Kalinga Provincial Health Office Kalinga Provincial Hospital
Mt. Province Provincial Health Office Luis Hora Memorial Regional
Hospital
Baguio City DOH- CAR Office Baguio General Hospital and
City Health Office Medical Center
Baguio City EMS St. Louis University-Hospital of
the Sacred Heart
Notre Dame de Chartres
Hospital
Facilities trained on Basic Epidemiology and Outbreak investigation (source: RESU):
Province 2010 2011 2014 2015 and 2016
Abra Bangued, Manabo No trainings
conducted for Basic
Apayao Luna Kabugao Epidemiology.
- Provinces
Benguet Mankayan, La Trinidad, Itogon, La Trinidad, were updated
Buguias Tuba Kibungan, on PIDSR,
Mankayan VPD and
Ifugao Mayoyao Banaue, Alfonso Tinoc, Lagawe, ESR
Lista, Lamut Banaue
Kalinga Tabuk, Tinglayan, Pinukpuk
Lubuagan, Pasil
Mt. Province Bontoc, Paracelis Bauko
B. 2. Allocation of Resources:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Laboratory reagents and test kits, Drugs, Medicines and
vaccine
B. 3. Advocacy Activities:
- Conduct of Interagency Taskforce Meeting (semi-annual)
- Conduct of orientation activities on Avian Flu.
B. 4. Other Health Promotion Campaigns:
- Development of Flyers and Posters on the following:
o Ebola
o Anthrax
o Hepatitis B
o Some Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) such as Diphtheria, Pertussis and Measles
B. 5. Monitoring and Evaluation:
Monitoring and Mentoring of Provincial Health offices, Hospital and RHUs
D. ROLES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH:
The DOH, in collaboration with its partner organizations/ agencies, employs the key strategies:
1. Development of systems, policies, standards, and guidelines for preparedness and response to
emerging diseases;
2. Technical Assistance or Technical collaboration;
3. Advocacy/ information dissemination;
4. Inter-sectoral collaborations;
5. Capability building for management, prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious
diseases that may pose epidemic/pandemic threat, and
6. Logistical support for available drugs and vaccines (when developed)
E. ROLES OF THE LGU:
- Implement policies/ issuances
- Ensure adequate supply of logistics needed for possible EREID cases.
- Strengthen information dissemination on EREIDs.
- Develop a preparedness plan
- Ensure functional Rapid Response Team
F. FUTURE PLANS/ STRATEGIES (2017-2023)
1. Capability building and Advocacy Activity
a. Emerging Infectious Disease Preparedness Plan workshop/ simulation activity
b. Inter-Agency task force meeting
2. Allocation of Resources
a. Test kits and Reagents
b. Drugs and Medicines
c. Meningococcal Vaccine
3. Monitoring and onsite mentoring
4. Strengthen advocacy campaigns though timely reproduction of IEC materials as well as use of
current technology for information dissemination (LED displays, social media, newsprints etc).
G. THE PROGRAM’S OFFICIAL LOGO, IF ANY
- None
