Cambodia

Improving the monitoring of disease emergence and progression related to changes in human demographics and transportation

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

In Cambodia, economic development has been associated with the development of highways crossing the country, roads making remote provinces more accessible, and roads linking Cambodia with the neighbouring countries, This has resulted in easier and cheaper rapid long distance transport of human and animals (including mosquitoes).

This situation allows the dynamics of vector-borne diseases to be altered significantly and should facilitate progression of communicable diseases as well as increase the disease risk for local populations.

Objectives and Strategy of Intervention

The aim of the ECOMORE project is to stimulate and federate a dynamic of national collaborations to strengthen the Cambodian surveillance and early warning capacity of emerging-vector-borne disease, using Chikungunya and Dengue as proxies,

Dengue cases are scrutinized and data has been recorded over many years.The annual appearance of the epidemic peak and seasonality variability of disease are clear.

To make this point, the project will undertake and develop sentinel surveillance capacity;

Supplementary strategic sentinel sites along the main roads (in yellow colour) will be developed.	The potential contribution of the private sector to the number of cases will be determined, to better track the progression of these diseases.

Early warning capacities will be improved by testing a simple entomological tool to assess variation in vector bio-mass, which will then be combined with meteorological data.

Expected results

At the end of the project, tools for surveillance will be assessed, improved or developed. Statistical models will help in monitoring, understanding and predicting the trends of Dengue/Chikungunya disease across time and space as well as its progression towards neighboring countries

Sentinel sites have been trained and capacitated to improve surveillance.

An early warning entomological tool will be validated.

Mathematical models will be developed to predict hotspots or outbreaks and to prioritize preventive actions such as vector control, health education or vector isolation of febrile cases.

Beneficiaries of ECOMORE project

Clinicians will be more skilled to identify different categories of suspected cases of Dengue

Data managers in hospitals will more effectively handle the line-listing report and CamEWARN report

CNM/CDC will receive more precise surveillance data to better overview Dengue circulation and outbreaks

Coordination between PHD, practitioners, nurses of the 8 selected sites and CNM will be improved.

Private doctors will participate in the surveillance system and receive feedback on data to improve their awareness of disease circulation

The population of Cambodia can be informed in real time on the current risk of epidemic and authorities can broadcast recommendations to minimize risks

     ACTIVITIES

Implementing Team