ORCID Profile
0000-0001-7660-4466
Current Organisation
Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-12-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-020-20235-8
Abstract: New Zealand, a geographically remote Pacific island with easily sealable borders, implemented a nationwide ‘lockdown’ of all non-essential services to curb the spread of COVID-19. Here, we generate 649 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from infected patients in New Zealand with s les collected during the ‘first wave’, representing 56% of all confirmed cases in this time period. Despite its remoteness, the viruses imported into New Zealand represented nearly all of the genomic ersity sequenced from the global virus population. These data helped to quantify the effectiveness of public health interventions. For ex le, the effective reproductive number, R e of New Zealand’s largest cluster decreased from 7 to 0.2 within the first week of lockdown. Similarly, only 19% of virus introductions into New Zealand resulted in ongoing transmission of more than one additional case. Overall, these results demonstrate the utility of genomic pathogen surveillance to inform public health and disease mitigation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-02-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-021-21157-9
Abstract: Stringent nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as lockdowns and border closures are not currently recommended for pandemic influenza control. New Zealand used these NPIs to eliminate coronavirus disease 2019 during its first wave. Using multiple surveillance systems, we observed a parallel and unprecedented reduction of influenza and other respiratory viral infections in 2020. This finding supports the use of these NPIs for controlling pandemic influenza and other severe respiratory viral threats.
Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-11-2011
DOI: 10.1136/POSTGRADMEDJ-2011-130217
Abstract: To determine whether the use of antipyretic medications in the treatment of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection affects mortality in humans or animal models. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, and The Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials was undertaken to identify in vivo animal experiments or randomised, controlled trials in humans of antipyretic medication in S pneumoniae infection which reported mortality data. Meta-analysis was by inverse variance weighted method for odds ratios. Antipyretics are recommended for the symptomatic treatment of various diseases caused by S pneumoniae. However, there is evidence that fever is a protective physiological response to infection, that treating fever secondary to infection may be harmful, and that some strains of S pneumoniae are temperature sensitive. Mortality associated with antipyretic use in S pneumoniae infection. Four studies from two publications met the inclusion criteria and investigated the use of aspirin in animal models. The pooled estimate of mortality was an OR with aspirin treatment of 1.97 (95% CI 1.22 to 3.19). There were no suitable human studies identified. A twofold increased risk of mortality was found with aspirin treatment in animal models of S pneumoniae infection. No relevant human studies were identified. It is difficult to generalise from animal models to clinical medicine, but based on these findings and the prevalence and severity of S pneumoniae infections worldwide, future study of the effects of antipyretic therapy in S pneumoniae infection in humans is recommended.
Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 05-2021
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: New Zealand
No related grants have been discovered for Sarah Jefferies.