Exploring Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance and Response Systems in Beijing, China: A Qualitative Study from the Health System Perspective.
Jerome Lock-Wah-Hoon, Yang Zheng, Marieta Braks, Liselotte van Asten, Qiyong Liu, Preeti Sushama, Simone Doreleijers, Thomas Krafft, Wim van der Hoek, Ewout Fanoy, Quanyi Wang, Eva Pilot
Author Information
Jerome Lock-Wah-Hoon: Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229HA Maastricht, The Netherlands. ORCID
Yang Zheng: Institute for Infectious Disease and Endemic Disease Control, Beijing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100013, China.
Marieta Braks: Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Liselotte van Asten: Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. ORCID
Qiyong Liu: Department of Vector Biology and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
Preeti Sushama: Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229HA Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Simone Doreleijers: Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229HA Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Thomas Krafft: Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229HA Maastricht, The Netherlands. ORCID
Wim van der Hoek: Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Ewout Fanoy: Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, 95 3011 EN Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Quanyi Wang: Institute for Infectious Disease and Endemic Disease Control, Beijing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100013, China.
Eva Pilot: Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229HA Maastricht, The Netherlands. ORCID
BACKGROUND: Climate change may contribute to higher incidence and wider geographic spread of vector borne diseases (VBDs). Effective monitoring and surveillance of VBDs is of paramount importance for the prevention of and timely response to outbreaks. Although international regulations exist to support this, barriers and operational challenges within countries hamper efficient monitoring. As a first step to optimise VBD surveillance and monitoring, it is important to gain a deeper understanding of system characteristics and experiences in to date non-endemic regions at risk of becoming endemic in the future. Therefore, this study qualitatively analyses the nature and flexibility of VBD surveillance and response in Beijing. METHODS: In this qualitative study, eleven experts working in Beijing's vector-borne diseases surveillance and response system were interviewed about vector-borne disease surveillance, early warning, response, and strengths and weaknesses of the current approach. RESULTS: Vector-borne disease surveillance occurs using passive syndromic surveillance and separate vector surveillance. Public health authorities use internet reporting networks to determine vector-borne disease risk across Beijing. Response toward a vector-borne disease outbreak is uncommon in this setting due to the currently low occurrence of outbreaks. CONCLUSIONS: A robust network of centralised institutions provides the continuity and flexibility needed to adapt and manage possible vector-borne disease threats. Opportunities exist for population-based health promotion and the integration of environment and climate monitoring in vector-borne disease surveillance.
