Symposium 2：Impact of Emerging Respiratory Infectious Diseases on TB
Tuberculosis, one the oldest infectious diseases affecting the human, it still causing a significant global public health problem. The emergence of respiratory diseases outbreaks has presented with new challenges for global and national TB controls. The current pandemic of COVID-19 is a global health crisis and it cause substantial troubles to the entire healthcare systems, including TB control programs. In this symposium, we will focus on the impact of emerging respiratory infectious diseases on tuberculosis, especially by COVID-19.
| Time (GMT+8) |
Topic | Speaker | Country / Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30-09:00 | Epidemic and pandemic of respiratory viral infection : impact on tuberculosis and the lung. | Dr. Charoen Chuchottaworn | Thailand |
| 09:00-09:30 | Impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis prevention and care in Malaysia | Dr. Asmah Razali | Malaysia |
| 09:30-10:00 | Impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis prevention and control in Taiwan | Mr. Po-Wei Chu | Taiwan |
Epidemic and pandemic viral infections: impact on tuberculosis and the lung.
Abstract:
Respiratory tract infection from respiratory viruses is a common infection of both upper and lower respiratory tract. Spectrum of respiratory virus infection varied from asymptomatic to severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Seasonal epidemics occur every year and pandemic of influenza was observed with intervals of 50-60 years. The recent pandemic of emerging Covid-19 had great effect to global health system. A quarter of the global population has already been infected with tuberculosis and every year nearly 8 million new cases of tuberculosis are reported. Seasonal epidemic of respiratory viruses may not have any apparent impact on epidemiology and services of tuberculosis. However Increased mortality of tuberculosis after pandemic of influenza in 1918 had been observed. Pandemic of Covid-19 in 2020 had a great impact on the global tuberculosis situation. Intervention measures to control pandemic and infection control prevented tuberculosis patients accessing to services of tuberculosis. Global notification of tuberculosis patients declined and excessed death from tuberculosis were observed during pandemic period 2020-2021. Social distancing measures and infection prevention might have an impact on community transmission of tuberculosis. And post-Covid19 lung sequelae such as lung fibrosis in tuberculosis patients will worsen patients’ lung function and quality of life. Pandemic of Covid-19 deteriorated all the success of tuberculosis control and intensified efforts should be made to reverse the situation back to the pre-pandemic period.
Dr. Charoen Chuchottaworn
Thailand
Impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis prevention and care in Malaysia
Abstract:
Background: COVID-19 pandemic has impact on health sector globally including TB services in Malaysia. World Health Organization (WHO) modelling estimates that the number of TB patients globally might falls by 25% to 50% over a 3-month period because of disruptions to services. Here we reflect on the impact of COVID-19 and TB services in Malaysia.
Method: Malaysia imposed a Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18 March 2020 following a surge in COVID-19 cases. Since then the National TB control programme has responded with multi-faceted approach to ensure the continuity of services like case detection, treatment and contact tracing. Data from TB surveillance system (MyTB) were analysed from 2019 & 2020. New Norms of activities advocated were reviewed for its effectiveness.
Results: Registered TB cases in Malaysia reduced by 10% for the year 2020 compared to 2019. TB mortality remains at 6.8 per 100,000 population. Percentage of TB contacts screened dropped by nine percent. No much changes noticed in BCG immunisation coverage (2019- 98.5%;2020- 98.8%). Modified activities such as two weeks supply of TB medicines with virtual DOT to reduce daily health-facility visit, synergic approach for contact tracing of COVID-19 and TB and compulsory use of PPE and social distancing advocated.
Conclusion: The negative impact of COVID-19 was the reduction in TB cases registered and less contacts been followed up. However, due to timely and effective interventions carried out by the TB control programme in Malaysia the impact was not as bad as predicted by WHO.
Keywords: Tuberculosis, Malaysia, trends, COVID-19.
Dr. Asmah Razali
Malaysia
Dr. Asmah binti Razali is the Senior Principal Assistant Director at Tuberculosis & Leprosy Sector, Disease Control Division, MOH Malaysia since 2014. She was graduated from UKM (2002) and attained Public Health Medicine Specialist from UNIMAS (2011). Dr. Asmah has been working in the Ministry of Health for 21 years with 11 years experience in TB/Leprosy Control Programme.
She has been involved in development of numerous guidelines namely CPG Management of Drug Resistant TB (1ST Edition, 2017), CPG Management of Tuberculosis (4TH Edition, 2021), National Strategic Plan for TB Control (2016-2020) and NSP to End TB (2021-2030).
She is also involved in the integration of digital technologies in TB surveillance system in line with the End TB Strategy target to end TB Epidemic by 2035.
Impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis prevention and control in Taiwan
Abstract:
The pandemic of COVID-19 has impacted population health worldwide beyond the mortality and morbidity burden directly caused by the disease. Many countries reported a remarkable decrease in TB notification compared with the level before the COVID-19 pandemic. Taiwan faced several waves of COVID-19 infection during 2020-2022. Using the comprehensive national data of TB registry, laboratory reports and national health insurance, this discussion aims to jointly investigate the impact of COVID-19 on TB notification, healthcare service utilization (including TB diagnostic services), and active case finding (ACF) for TB by the public health authorities.
Mr. Po-Wei Chu
Taiwan
Prof. Giovanni Battista Migliori
Italy
Dr. Chih-Bin Lin
Taiwan
