A5082031484- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Data-Driven Disease Surveillance
- Travel-related health issues
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Respiratory viral infections research
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Food Safety and Hygiene
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Listeria monocytogenes in Food Safety
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Brucella: diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment
- Public Health Policies and Education
- Poisoning and overdose treatments
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
Ministry of Public Health
2016-2025
American University of Beirut Medical Center
2014-2018
National Influenza Center
2018
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
2017
World Health Organization
2014
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in many worldwide foci including the Middle East. Several outbreaks have occurred East over past decades, mostly related to war-associated population migration. With start of Syrian war, frequency and magnitude these increased alarmingly. We describe epidemiology Leishmania infection Lebanon most recent outbreak relevant war.We reviewed all leishmaniasis cases reported Epidemiologic Surveillance Department at Lebanese Ministry Public...
In September 2012, a cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak began among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. For 948 patients whom was not confirmed, we obtained samples for microscopic confirmation and molecular speciation. We identified Leishmania tropica 85% L. major 15% of patients. After 3 months megulamine antimonite therapy, initial cure rate 82%.
Cholera is a life-threatening gastrointestinal infection caused by toxigenic bacterium, Vibrio cholerae. After lull of almost 30 years, first case cholera was detected in Lebanon October 2022. The outbreak lasted three months, with 8007 suspected cases (671 laboratory-confirmed) and 23 deaths. In this study, we use phenotypic methods microbial genomics to study 34 clinical environmental cholerae isolates collected throughout outbreak. All are identified as V. O1, serotype Ogawa strains from...
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants including the Delta and Omicron along with waning vaccine-induced immunity over time contributed to increased rates breakthrough infection specifically among healthcare workers (HCWs). genomic surveillance is an important tool for timely detection characterization circulating as well monitoring new strains. Our study first national HCWs in Lebanon.
In outbreak situations involving a novel pathogen timely and coordinated response is crucial. The WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens recently released global framework to guide future scientific investigations into origin emerging pathogens.
The emergence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and subsequent disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with continuous evolution virus into variants such as Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron others necessitates an on-going surveillance evaluation vaccine effectiveness (VE).This study focuses on assessing real-world performance Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) against variant. This employs a test-negative, case-control design, methodology commonly utilized for estimating...
Background In December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic initially erupted from a cluster of pneumonia cases unknown origin in city Wuhan, China. Presently, it has almost reached 94 million worldwide. Lebanon on brink economic collapse and its healthcare system thrown into turmoil, previously managed to cope with initial SARS-CoV-2 wave. this study, we sequenced 11 viral genomes positive isolated between 2 February 2020 15 March 2020. Methods Sequencing data was quality controlled, consensus...
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand globally, with case numbers rising in many areas of the world, including Eastern Mediterranean Region. Lebanon experienced its largest wave infections from January April 2021. Limited genomic surveillance was undertaken, just 26 SARS-CoV-2 genomes available for this period, nine which were travellers detected by other countries. Additional genome sequencing is thus needed allow variants circulation. In total, 905 sequenced using ARTIC protocol....
Lebanon has been one of the most affected countries by Syrian humanitarian crisis. The national communicable disease surveillance was enhanced to detect outbreaks among Syrians. In this study, we aim describe findings Syrians in Lebanon, compare it residents' data, and implemented activities between 2013 2019. During study period, data on diseases mainly collected through routine system an syndromic system. Predefined case definitions standard operating procedures were place. Data collection...
Foodborne illnesses can be due to a wide range of bacteria, one the most common being Salmonella. In this study, PulseNet International was implemented in Lebanon identify circulating pathogens at species and strain levels, determine antimicrobial resistance, link food sources clinical cases during outbreaks.Clinical Salmonella isolates received from Epidemiological Surveillance Unit, Ministry Public Health (ESUMOH) Lebanese Agriculture Research Institute (LARI) between 2011 2014 were...
Influenza epidemics cause around 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness worldwide every year. Estimates are needed for a better understanding the burden disease especially in low- and middle-income countries. The objective this study is estimate number rate influenza-associated respiratory hospitalizations Lebanon during five influenza seasons (2015-2016 2019-2020) by age province residence addition estimating level severity.
Salmonellosis is a disease that represents major public health concern in both developing and developed countries. The aim of this article to evaluate the burden Salmonella illness Lebanon. current scope infection problem was assessed relation incidence distribution with respect age, gender district. Factors provide better understanding magnitude were explored highlighted. Data reported Epidemiologic Surveillance Department at Lebanese Ministry Public Health between 2001 2013 reviewed....
Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand globally, with case numbers rising in many areas of the world, including Eastern Mediterranean Region. Lebanon experienced its largest wave infections from January April 2021. Limited genomic surveillance was undertaken, just twenty six SARS-CoV-2 genomes available for this period, nine which were travellers detected by other countries. Additional genome sequencing is thus needed allow variants circulation. Methods Nine hundred...
Availability of stage information by population-based cancer registries (PBCR) remains scarce for diverse reasons. Nevertheless, is critical control particularly cancers amenable to early detection. In the framework Global Initiative Cancer Registry Development (GICR), we present status data collection and dissemination among in Middle East Northern Africa (MENA) region as well distribution breast patients.A web-based survey exploring staging practices was developed sent 30 PBCR 18 countries...
A study was conducted to determine risk factors associated with brucellosis infection in an outbreak Chouf district of Lebanon during summer 2009.Cases reported the Ministry Public Health were identified, and for each case 2 controls matched by sex, age residence.Sociodemographic data, exposure animals animal products, knowledge about brucellosis, symptoms history past infections collected.Consumption raw cheese a significant factor contracting (matched OR = 29.5),whereas wearing gloves when...
The Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon is the process converting surveillance reporting from a cumbersome paper-based system to web-based electronic platform (DHIS-2) have real-time information for early detection alerts and outbreaks initiating prompt response.This paper aimed document Lebanese experience implementing DHIS-2 disease system. It also targets assess improvement rates timeliness reported data disclose encountered challenges opportunities.This retrospective description...
In Lebanon, the lack of quality data on road traffic injuries (RTIs) led to implementation a hospital-based RTI surveillance system by Ministry Health in private and public-run hospitals Bekaa governorate. This paper aims describe characteristics severity RTIs recorded over two years during pilot phase. It also assesses strengths challenges system, highlighting areas for enhancement. The collected from Emergency department (ED) was used conduct retrospective analysis population-based...
Rabies is one of the most important zoonotic infections worldwide. The burden disease continues to be significant in countries Middle East where vector stray dogs. Control efforts are hindered by lack awareness and incomplete post-exposure prophylaxis. aim this article re-assess situation rabies Lebanon compare it other Eastern countries. Eight cases 5280 incidents animal bites humans were reported Lebanese Ministry Public Health between 2001 2012. Dogs only infection responsible for humans....
This study, based on the Lebanese National Perinatal Survey which included 5231 women, examined relations between caesarean section (CS) rate and characteristics of mothers, children, antenatal care maternity units in two geographical zones Lebanon (Beirut-Mount rest country) then looked at variations. analysis concerned 3846 women with singleton pregnancies livebirths low risk CS, after exclusion a previous non-cephalic fetal presentations, or delivery before 37 weeks' gestation. The...
Listeria monocytogenes is the agent of listeriosis, a life threatening foodborne disease for immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. This bacterium not routinely screened in Lebanon there lack data about prevalent strains their potential pathogenicity. To that purpose, this study was undertaken to characterize L. from various food products, by assessing vitro biofilm forming ability, detecting virulence potential, characterizing them at strain level.Fifty-nine isolates were obtained...
This paper describes and assesses the electronic surveillance of outbreaks based on early warning for four endemic diseases - typhoid fever, amebic dysentery, viral hepatitis A brucellosis in Lebanon, first 28 weeks 2005 26 2007.The system is mandatory notification 37 targeted diseases. The target assessed this are monthly notification. Standards were set case definitions forms. Physicians hospitals report to Ministry Public Health (MOPH), where data checked transmitted a central location...