The Three Networks Framework to Deal with Public Health Emergencies in Guangxi, China

• Published in: Canadian journal of public health 2006-09, Vol.97 (5), p.398-401
• Main Authors: Wen-kui, Geng, Jia-tong, Zhuo, De-cheng, Liu, Yan-xia, Huang, Lin, Huang, Hui, Wei, Xiao-lan, Tang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; China - epidemiology; Chinese medicine; Cities; Communicable Diseases - diagnosis; Communicable Diseases - epidemiology; Communicable Diseases - mortality; Community Networks - organization & administration; Community Networks - statistics & numerical data; County governments; Disease Notification - methods; Disease Outbreaks; Emergencies; Emergency management; Emergency services; Epidemics; Health services; Hospitals; Humans; Infectious diseases; Local government; Measles - epidemiology; Measles - mortality; Measles - prevention & control; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Mortality; Municipal governments; PRACTICE/PRATIQUE; Provincial government; Public health; Public Health - statistics & numerical data; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Rural Health; Time Factors; Towns; Urban Health
• ISSN: 0008-4263; 1920-7476
• DOI: 10.1007/bf03405350

Objective: To improve the detection and control of infectious diseases in Guangxi, China. Setting/Participants: Guangxi province in southwest China has almost 50 million people, of whom approximately 30% reside in urban and 70% in rural areas. There are 12 minority nationality groups living in the region. Intervention: A village doctor reports any infectious disease outbreak to the Reporting Network, which notifies the Service Network to organize the clinical response. This is supported by the Government Network that coordinates the response among the multiple layers of local governments. Outcomes: Since 2002 when the Three Networks system was first started, the time from incidence to report has been shortened on average from 30.6 to 7.6 days and the number of cases has increased from slightly less than 5,000 cases/year (4,965) to almost 10,000 cases/year (9,873). Average mortality has decreased from 3.23% to 0.74%. The Three Networks system has been successful in controlling measles outbreaks; and during SARS, when 11 cases came to Guangxi from the neighbouring Guangdong province, there were only 11 additional new cases with no community spread and no spread to medical staff. Conclusion: The Three Networks system has played an important role in infectious disease prevention and control in Guangxi province, and may be applicable to other areas with a similar situation. Objectifs : Améliorer le dépistage et le contrôle des maladies infectieuses au Guangxi, en Chine. Lieu et participants : Le Guangxi est une région autonome du Sud-Ouest de la Chine qui compte près de 50 millions d'habitants, dont environ 30 % vivent en milieu urbain et 70 % en milieu rural. On y trouve 12 groupes nationaux minoritaires. Intervention : Le médecin de village déclare toute eclosión de maladie infectieuse au Réseau de déclaration, lequel demande au Réseau de services d'orchestrer une intervention clinique. Au sommet, le Réseau gouvernemental coordonne l'intervention des multiples paliers administratifs locaux. Résultats : Depuis l'inauguration du Système des trois réseaux en 2002, le délai de déclaration a diminué, passant de 30,6 jours à 7,6 jours en moyenne, et le nombre de cas déclarés est passé d'un peu moins de 5 000 par année (4 965) à près de 10 000 par année (9 873). La mortalité moyenne a baissé de 3,23 % à 0,74 %. Le Système des trois réseaux a réussi à contrôler les éclosions de rougeole, et pendant l'épisode du SRAS, lorsque 11 cas du Guangdong voisin sont entrés au