title: Control measures used during lymphogranuloma venereum outbreak, Europe.
abstract: To assess the response to the reemergence of lymphogranuloma venereum, we conducted a cross-sectional survey by administering a structured questionnaire to representatives from 26 European countries. Responses were received from 18 countries. The ability to respond quickly and the measures used for outbreak detection and control varied. Evidence-based criteria were not consistently used to develop recommendations. We did not develop criteria to determine the effectiveness of the recommendations. The degree of preparedness for an unexpected outbreak, as well as the ability of countries to respond quickly to alerts, varied, which indicates weaknesses in the ability to control an outbreak. More guidance is needed to implement and evaluate control measures used during international outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands. aura.timen@rivm.nl
authors.forename: Aura
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Timen
authors.forename: Marlies E J L
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hulscher
authors.forename: Dieuwke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: Marita J W
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van de Laar
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Fenton
authors.forename: Jim E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: van Steenbergen
authors.forename: Jos W M
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: Richard P T M
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Grol
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008219:Lymphogranuloma Venereum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents