The Outbreak

Since its initial report to the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019, a newly identified strain of coronavirus that appears to have originated in China has, as of February 25, 2020, caused at least 80,413 confirmed cases of illness and 2,708 total deaths. While some coronaviruses cause mild to moderate symptoms in people, this new disease, named COVID-19 (short for Coronavirus Disease 2019) is one of three coronavirus strains known to cause severe symptoms in humans (the others are SARS-CoV, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, and MERS-CoV, which causes Middle East respiratory syndrome). Due to its rapid spread across many countries, the disease is receiving significant global attention. Many countries which have not been affected directly by the outbreak are undertaking activities to prepare for possible cases.

How Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are Responding

FETPs, which are embedded within ministries of health, national public health institutes, universities, and other public health agencies, are working in different ways to fight this new public health threat. TEPHINET contacted FETPs and requested information about their COVID-19-related activities. 

Note: TEPHINET will update this list as we receive new information. This list was last updated at 4:50 p.m. Eastern Time on February 25, 2020. This list is organized in alphabetical order, first by WHO region and then by program.

African Region

Cameroon: The Cameroon Field Epidemiology Training Program is working closely with the disease control department. FETP residents and graduates are taking part in biweekly, multi-sectorial coordination meetings. The FETP conducted baseline risk assessments and concluded that Cameroon has a high risk of importation of COVID-19. FETP residents and graduates supported the development of surveillance tools including case definition, contact tracing flow charts, and traveler screening forms. The FETP will be integrated into the rapid response team, which will be deployed at every point of entry. One FETP fellow is working to establish procedures for the packing and transport of coronavirus samples.

Ethiopia: The Ethiopia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program is highly engaged in surveillance and preparedness activities for any imported cases of COVID-19, mostly at Bole International Airport. The program has edited an epidemiological bulletin on the disease and is formulating preparedness and risk communication plans.

The Gambia: The Gambia has activated its Emergency Operations Center for the coronavirus. As of February 12, the country had 13 travelers from China who are being monitored every day. About 24 Gambian Field Epidemiology Training Program graduates are currently involved in the response, some at land borders and some at airports. Graduates from the advanced-level FETP are currently taking leadership roles in the response.

Ghana: The Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program participated in a high-level coordination meeting of the National Technical Coordinating Committee. Ghana has conducted readiness assessments for response presented by its surveillance department. FETP alumni are doing extensive work in one of the port regions in the western part of the country, conducting an assessment and looking at the flow of vessels into the country and mapping to identify hot spots. FETP alumni are also conducting educational activities, including institutional sensitization, especially in universities with students who may travel to affected countries.

Guinea: Guinea Field Epidemiology Training Program residents and graduates are involved in numerous coronavirus-related activities. Three advanced residents and two intermediate FETP graduates participated in the coronavirus risk assessment and the development of the preparedness and response plan. They also participated in the elaboration of the coronavirus surveillance protocol. They provided technical assistance for the adaption of the COVID-19 case definition and of the case notification and contact tracking forms. They participated in the development of a flow chart to identify contacts and suspected cases at the point of entry, in particular at the Gbessia International Airport of Conakry, and at the ports of Conakry, Kamsar, Boke and Boffa. They are training and supervising staff at the points of entry on how to identify travelers and conduct contact tracing. They participate in COVID-19 community awareness activities on modes of transmission and means of prevention. They participate in the development of a weekly situation report on the coronavirus.

Guinea-Bissau: A team is at the main airport to interview people arriving from countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19. Four teams in different zones of the country are following up with people arriving from countries with confirmed cases. Graduates of the Guinea-Bissau Field Epidemiology Training Program are participating in these activities.

Kenya: The Kenya Ministry of Health requested for the Kenya Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program to provide surge capacity for enhanced surveillance of COVID-19. Fourteen FELTP residents have been deployed to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a major point of entry. One senior field coordinator has been deployed to coordinate field activity. FELTP residents are involved in providing 24-hour support to port health activities, screening of passengers, following up on cases, managing data, developing tools for surveillance at points of entry (questionnaire for case detection and follow-up and contact tracing), evaluating preparedness and response at major points of entry, and handling and managing suspected cases. FELTP is heavily involved in handling the one case isolated at Kenyatta National Hospital, and the program is a member of the national Task Force on COVID-19 and an active member of the sub-committee on Surveillance, Points of Entry and Laboratory.

Liberia: The Liberia Field Epidemiology Training Program is building capacity in contact tracing with refresher trainings. Graduates (intermediate and frontline) and Liberian advanced graduates and residents are involved in various aspects of preparedness: screening at points of entry, risk communication, and rumor management.

Mozambique: The Ministry of Health has started to implement a preparedness plan and has identified a health facility for isolation in case there is a need. Residents of the Mozambique Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program are supporting the ministry in developing all the tools necessary for contact tracing, including developing forms and flow charts. They are also preparing a rapid response team mainly targeting those provinces that have the main points of entry with other countries. The FELTP is also developing a surveillance protocol for acute respiratory disease in public and private health facilities. The FELTP has been participating in the ministry’s weekly technical meetings. The program has developed a schedule in case there is a need to have a team of residents and graduates ready to respond.

Nigeria: As of February 12, Nigeria has no recorded cases yet, but because it is a high-risk country considering the high volume of travel between Nigeria and China, preparedness efforts have started. The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has spearheaded these efforts. A coronavirus preparedness group was constituted under the leadership of a Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program graduate as the incident manager. The laboratory and surveillance pillars are also headed by FELTP graduates, with current residents and other graduates supporting the different technical groups. So far, they have developed a pre-incident action plan, which is currently being implemented. A public health advisory has been issued and disseminated. The port health services officers are screening incoming travelers. They are deploying surge capacity comprising current FELTP residents to support the screening process and tracking asymptomatic, high-risk travelers. The manager overseeing this digital, real-time tracking is also an FELTP graduate.

South Africa: South African Field Epidemiology Training Program (SAFETP) trainees are participating in surveillance and preparedness activities organized to detect and respond to potential imported cases of COVID-19. Second-year trainees are among key staff that have been sensitized by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on procedures that will be followed in the event that a case of the novel coronavirus is confirmed in the country. Some of the activities planned for the trainees include participating in contact tracing, contact monitoring and case investigation.

Tanzania: The Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with the Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, has intensified Tanzania’s surveillance systems, all ports of entry, borders, and is screening all returning travelers. Health education on COVID-19 is being provided to communities using religious leaders, TV and radio stations. The FELTP has also been involved in developing standard operating procedures to ensure that suspected cases are caught. FELTP residents and alumni have been involved in the response and preparedness efforts around the novel coronavirus. Their activities include: 1) Sensitization and awareness-raising at schools, points of entry, interregional bus terminals, churches and mosques; 2) Conducting risk assessments, including risk assessments of the isolation units, in higher risk regions; 3) Preparing tools such as daily passenger follow-up forms, interim case reporting forms (adapted from WHO) for confirmed and probable cases and daily reporting from the region.

Uganda: Uganda Field Epidemiology Training Program residents are heavily involved in coordination activities, screening, and active surveillance at Entebbe International Airport. Uganda has activated its Emergency Operations Center for coronavirus preparedness and response.

The Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program has been part and parcel of the preparedness and response. Together as part of the National Rapid Response Team of the National Task Force for Public Health Emergencies, surveillance has been intensified. The Ministry of Health has:

• Activated NTF to coordinate preparedness and response activities in the country.
• Intensified surveillance for suspected cases at the points of entry into the country, especially at Entebbe International Airport. The teams at Entebbe International Airport are conducting screening for COVID-19.
• Dispatched medical supplies to health facilities.
• Worked with the Civil Aviation Authority to undertake sensitization of all airport staff on the risk of spread of COVID-19 to Uganda, the signs and symptoms and how to prevent the disease.
• Ensured there is heightened infection prevention and practices; increased the number of hand-washing points at the airport.
• Developed a contingency plan for preparedness.
• Provided basic information to the public and health workers on prevention of transmission of COVID-19.
• Designated Entebbe regional referral hospital and Nagaru regional referral hospital as centers for managing cases.

Zambia: The Zambian National Public Health Institute, where the Zambia Field Epidemiology Training Program residents are located under the workforce development cluster, has led the response to COVID-19. The institute has developed an Incident Management System (IMS) whose structure consists of FETP residents. The deputy incident commander is an FETP graduate. Residents are working in surveillance and in compiling subject matter expert data and distributing, compiling and localizing guidelines including case definition and case follow-up forms. The program has committed all graduates to be part of the response and follow-up of exposed people. It will begin a series of localized trainings for clinical teams, rapid response teams, and point of entry staff.

Americas Region

Argentina: In Argentina, the Residency Program in Epidemiology, the Argentina Field Epidemiology Training Program, is embedded within the National Directorate of Epidemiology and Health Situation Analysis of the Ministry of Health. Due to coronavirus, the program is actively participating in preparing daily reports for national authorities, developing recommendations for health teams, travelers and points of entry, conducting surveillance, coordinating strategies with the national border health service and developing a protocol for detection, evaluation and measures in response to potential cases of the coronavirus on cruise ships.

Brazil: EpiSUS, the Brazilian Field Epidemiology Training Program, is supporting preparedness and response within the scope of the health surveillance actions of the Ministry of Health and acting in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), primarily in data analysis and information communication for action. All trainees (19 total) and supervisors (seven total) are ready to conduct field investigations. As of February 12, Brazil has eight suspected cases and a group of repatriated people coming from Wuhan who will be under quarantine for 18 days. Two trainees and a supervisor are working with the quarantined individuals. In the Ministry of Health, three trainees are following the cases day by day and analyzing data to produce reports for the health surveillance secretary.

Canada: As of February 11, Canada had seven confirmed cases in Ontario and four in the province of British Columbia. The Canada Field Epidemiology Program has been involved in different levels of response and preparedness. The program’s six second-year trainees and five first-year trainees are all mobilized or are about to be mobilized to support either the coronavirus or other diseases going on in Canada. Most of the work is around the EOC. The program has trainees in the EOC now and lining up for the next few weeks to work on surveillance guidelines and epidemiological cells. Trainees are in Trenton, Ontario supporting surveillance of roughly 250 quarantined repatriated Canadians from China. A first aid clinic has been set up at the quarantine site, where trainees are gathering symptoms and writing daily reports. They also support the quarantine officials in conducting screening of asymptomatic people twice a day. Many of the trainees are also involved in surveillance activities at their own placement sites at the provincial level. Some of them have been working on airport screenings.

Caribbean: At present, the Caribbean sub-region has evaluated the risk of COVID-19 as being low due to the lack of direct flights to Caribbean countries from the points of origin and the fact that passengers coming to the Caribbean are often screened in transit. Of particular concern for the Caribbean is that the sub-region is heavily dependent on tourism. The sub-region has been ramping up in terms of preparedness efforts. Graduates of the Caribbean Regional Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program work across a range of public health disciplines from primary care, infection prevention and control, surveillance, and laboratory, and the program has been working with them on training activities related to the coronavirus.

Central America: The Central American Regional Field Epidemiology Training Program is involved in coronavirus preparedness and response across multiple countries in the sub-region. In Belize, all FETP graduates are actively incorporated into the response. Two epidemiologists lead from the Epidemiology Unit, four in the regions and a network that is in charge of the search and investigation of cases at the Philip SW Goldson International Airport together with the staff of the International Health Office. In El Salvador, three epidemiologists (two from the Ministry of Health and one from the Salvadoran Social Security Institute) are part of the Health Cabinet. There is also a network of epidemiologists conducting research at the local level. In Honduras, there are seven epidemiologists who lead the response from the central level of the Ministry of Health, and a network of epidemiologists at the local level. In Nicaragua, they are already activated at the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport and at all points of land and sea entry. Three epidemiologists are participating in the update of the Pandemic Influenza Intersectorial Plan (PIP) and other respiratory viruses, which includes COVID-19, at the central level of the Ministry of Health. The other epidemiologists are strengthening surveillance and training health personnel and institutions. In Costa Rica, nine epidemiologists at the central level are directly involved in the emergency response at the Costa Rican Social Security Fund. Likewise, the network of graduates of the basic courses are participating in coronavirus surveillance. In the Dominican Republic, FETP graduates are involved in surveillance activities, training, multisectoral coordination, preparation of the preparedness and response plan, surveillance at entry points, and risk communication. They also participate in updating procedures and protocols for surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Colombia: The Colombia Field Epidemiology Training Program has alumni and 27 professionals in training who are supporting preparedness activities for possible imported cases of the novel coronavirus in Colombia. They work actively in National Institute of Health (NIH) activities established in its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) where potential health risks are monitored 24 hours a day and have a system of institutional incident management for the coordination of NIH operations. The FETP participates in different activities, mainly planning, coordination, management, data analysis, fieldwork, and communication. The NIH has adapted WHO protocols, especially oriented towards public health surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections, including case definition protocols and epidemiological and laboratory surveillance. FETP trainees are waiting to be called if needed for response to any suspected cases.

Costa Rica: The Costa Rica Field Epidemiology Training Program is actively working on its surveillance and attention system.

Mexico: The Mexico Field Epidemiology Training Program has played a key role in the country's activities for epidemiological surveillance of COVID-19, in the following areas:

1. Early detection and warning: The program participates in the Epidemiological and Health Intelligence Unit (UIES) of the Federal Secretariat of Health conducting event-based surveillance through monitoring of both official and unofficial media, constantly obtaining, analyzing and corroborating published information on the coronavirus, COVID-19, among other events of importance to the country. Another key activity the program carries out in the UIES is serving as liaison and coordinating between states and the federation, sending information and/or coordinating surveillance activities in the search and detection of cases and contacts.
2. Dissemination of information: The program participates in the development of dissemination materials for both health personnel (guidelines, newsletters, and activity guides) and for the general population (preventive notices and communiques). In addition to this, the program has participated in different trainings that have been carried out for the timely detection of cases.
3. Monitoring of suspicious cases: The program has been involved in the monitoring of suspected cases as well as in the search and subsequent follow-up of contacts.
4. Participation in normative bodies: The program is present at the meetings of the National Health Safety Committee, where guidelines and norms to follow are developed as the epidemic unfolds, and response is planned to the occurrence of coronavirus cases in Mexico.

United States: The United States Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is responding in several ways: EIS officers are deployed to U.S. airports to assist with screening arriving passengers. An EIS officer in Washington state is assisting with the investigation of the first reported case in the U.S., and EIS officers assigned to state and local health departments are assisting with surveillance and preparedness activities. EIS officers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters are on phone duty to help clinicians who call CDC for guidance regarding testing, diagnosing, and reporting suspected cases.

Eastern Mediterranean Region

Afghanistan: Graduates of the formerly active advanced-level Tajik-Afghan Field Epidemiology Training Program, as well as current residents of the intermediate-level Afghanistan Field Epidemiology Training Program, are involved in conducting surveillance activities for COVID-19 as part of a national disease surveillance response (NDSR) in Kabul as well as in provinces such as Balkh, Kandahar, Laghman, Baghlan, Sarepul, Kunduz, and Samangan. They are involved in conducting screening interviews at airports and land crossings; data collection, management, and analysis; and risk communications. Three current residents are leading the health sectors in three provinces. Other graduates and residents are involved in health sectors indirectly related to this emergency.

Egypt: In a series of joint task force meetings that involved representatives from the Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance (DES), Egypt Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), and other related departments, the following activities were conducted in response to COVID-19:

• Participation in a simulation exercise to practice the country's readiness to face any possible COVID-19 positive cases.
• Participation in quarantine process of the Egyptians evacuated from Wuhan for a timeframe of two-weeks to prevent the possibility of transmitting the infection.
• Participation in development and distribution of a standard case definition for the COVID-19 in accordance with the WHO temporary case definition. Of note, this definition is liable to change as the pandemic evolves.
• Participation in activation of different acute respiratory infection (ARI) surveillance systems in Egypt. COVID-19 was added to list of notifiable diseases.
• Participation in development and updating the standard reporting forms for COVID-19 cases and their contacts.
• Close monitoring of the global trends of COVID-19 infections and mortality through WHO website with daily monitoring for results of Egypt ARI surveillance systems and points of entry reports for identifying and follow up of suspected cases.
• Development of a risk communication strategy indicating what, whom and how information will be distributed.
• Participation in the development of a national plan for prevention of spread and control COVID-19 pandemic.
• Review the national capacity for confronting COVID-19 pandemic using WHO assessment tools.
• Participation in conducting orientation workshops for healthcare workers at the national and peripheral levels on the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Participation in development of a “Question & Answer” document with standard appropriate information to be used by hotline personnel in response to the expected public’s questions.

Morocco: The FETP Alumni Association of Morocco is mobilized and engaged to respond to COVID-19 in several ways. Active liaising and coordination for preparedness is underway among its members, who are in key positions in the national epidemiological surveillance system. The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has been activated under the authority of the Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control, who is an FETP graduate. The NEOC is manned by six FETP graduates. All of the provincial Disease Surveillance and Health Security Units (operated in majority by the FETP-advanced and Frontline) have been alerted. The mechanism for screening passengers coming from China, their isolation and quarantine in different points of entry, is under the control of an FETP graduate. Additionally, three FETP trainees are deployed to assist with repatriation of all Moroccan students from China.

Pakistan: The Pakistan Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program has been at the forefront of preparedness and response activities in Pakistan. The program is sensitizing its residents to COVID-19 and undergoing training. At the federal level, the national Emergency Operations Centers at the National Institute of Health has been activated. The EOC is manned by FELTP fellows among the government and partner counterparts; the incident command manager of the National EOC is an alumnus of the FELTP. The FELTP director is in active liaison with higher authorities in terms of policy matters. All of the provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Units (operated by the FELTP) have been alerted, and the respective Provincial Director-Generals of Health have designated FELTP Disease Surveillance and Response Units as the focal points for nCoV surveillance and response activities. Active liaison and coordination is underway with the Central Health Establishment for preparedness regarding the points of entry (land, sea and air) and a mechanism for screening all passengers coming from China, together with their isolation and quarantine, has been agreed upon. The FELTP has conducted trainings all over Pakistan at points of entry and has trained health staff at these points of entry on screening people coming in from China. The FELTP has also set up an event- and case-based surveillance mechanism at the federal Disease Surveillance and Response Units where contact tracing and screening of suspected cases is being conducted. The surveillance lead in the core committee is an alumnus of FELTP Pakistan. The FELTP also has been involved in developing protocols and SOPs on how to quarantine suspected cases.

Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Arabia Field Epidemiology Training Program is engaged as a member of the National Command and Control Center (NCCC), Saudi Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Saudi CDC) in risk assessment and preparedness activities to handle this newly emerging coronavirus. FETP staff assisted in writing local guidelines and protocols for health professionals, including screening guidelines. Residents and FETP supervisors are expected to participate in surveillance and any upcoming field monitoring or investigation activities. The FETP is also monitoring the simultaneous concurrence of MERS cases as well as potential importation of COVID-19.

Tunisia: The Tunisia Field Epidemiology Training Program is actively responding to the outbreak. Tunisia has activated and adapted its preparedness and response plan and crisis communication strategy to COVID-19. They have also adapted the SOPs and communication materials and established operational teams (rapid response teams) with the implication of Tunisian FETP graduates in the whole process (surveillance, screening, contact tracing, health education, training on infectious disease prevention and control, etc.). They have also developed a set of training materials and started training activities at the national and regional levels.

European Region

European Union: Fellows of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) fellowship programs (EPIET and EUPHEM) are distributed across different institutes in European Union and European Economic Area member states. At least 20 fellows from two cohorts of EPIET and EUPHEM are involved in preparing for and responding to COVID-19: 14 from EPIET, the applied epidemiology track, and six from EUPHEM, the public health microbiology track. The EPIET and EUPHEM fellows set up surveillance systems for COVID-19, conduct epidemic intelligence and scientific literature searches, and produce situation reports. They contribute to risk assessments that inform their Emergency Operation Centers and public health policy makers. Others conduct training sessions on coronavirus preparedness for healthcare professionals, and provide guidance on testing for coronavirus, diagnosis, travel and other queries through helplines. As fellows work in collaboration across disciplines, they also support risk communication, e.g., via social media and development of communication campaigns to inform the public about the virus. In public health laboratories, they are involved in the development, validation and implementation of molecular diagnostic tests for COVID-19, they write standard procedure and forms for collecting and sending suspected COVID-19 samples, contribute to collaborations among different labs to strengthening the diagnostic capacity, and to preparedness activities in national reference labs.

Georgia: So far, Georgia has not reported any cases, but the South Caucasus Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program is working with its alumni association to be prepared to respond upon request from the national CDC/EOC.

Germany: All ten current fellows of the Germany Field Epidemiology Training Program (Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology, PAE) and many alumni are involved in activities related to the novel coronavirus. At the national level, they assist with surveillance and preparedness activities, work in shifts in the situation room, producing summary reports/risk assessments, and cover the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on-call duty. Fellows and alumni are also assigned to state and local health departments to be involved with the contact tracing of the first reported cases in Bavaria; they manage the line-list of suspect cases and participate in hotlines. Currently, Germany has one of the biggest clusters of the new coronavirus in Europe, with 16 cases reported as of February 12 (14 of them belonging to the cluster in Bavaria). Germany received two flights of passengers repatriated from Wuhan. All passengers were screened, and two persons from the first flight had tested positive for COVID-19. One of the PAE fellows is following up on these positive cases.

United Kingdom: The United Kingdom Field Epidemiology Training Program has 13 fellows in training, seven in their second year and six in their first year. Eleven fellows currently are involved in activities related to COVID-19. Two are involved in contact tracing, one in surveillance of quarantined contacts, two fellows are working on SOPs and protocols, and two are developing questionnaires and participating in data collection. Six are working on situation reports, and one is on phone call duty. GOARN has identified five UK FETP fellows for possible deployment. Both of the program’s co-directors are also involved in these activities.

Southeast Asia and Western Pacific Regions

Australia: As well as participating in the ongoing national bushfire response, the Australian Field Epidemiology Training Program (the Masters of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology [MAE] Program) faculty and scholars are now supporting the state and territory, national, and global response to the developing COVID-19 outbreak. Program students and staff have been involved in the bushfire response since the first week of January and have transitioned straight into the coronavirus response. They are actively involved in situational awareness, drafting clinical and public health guidelines, participating in briefing and planning meetings with hospital clinicians and managers, the development of templates for outbreak response, and the development of fact sheets for clinicians and the public. A second-year MAE scholar is deploying to support the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila in the collection and analysis of epidemiological data in order to understand further what is happening with COVID-19 across the Asia-Pacific region. The program is incorporating elements of the coronavirus response as much as possible into its course block, including specific surveillance and epidemiological sessions and a visit to the national incident room to see the response in action.

Bangladesh: The government of Bangladesh designated the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), which runs the Bangladesh Field Epidemiology Training Program, to lead public health activities for controlling the coronavirus. The objectives of the country’s response are to 1) prevent the unnoticed entry of patients with COVID-19 infection, 2) identify cases early, 3) update the country’s laboratory capacity to test for COVID-19, and 3) prepare the public health system to respond to a possible outbreak. Bangladesh FETP fellows and graduates are working in all of the processes associated with meeting these objectives, including: responding to health hotline calls from airline passengers 24/7 and collecting clinical and epidemiological data from the callers, identifying suspected cases and sending rapid response teams for sample collection, preparing and managing the day-to-day activities of quarantine camps for Bangladeshi citizens returning from Wuhan, developing guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and preparing daily press releases. Bangladesh FETP fellows are ready to conduct case investigations and contact tracing if the need arises.

China: At least 20 residents of the China Field Epidemiology Training Program are currently involved in the response.

Taiwan: Taiwan made COVID-19 a notifiable disease on January 15, 2020. Taiwan Field Epidemiology Training Program trainees and alumni are engaged in airport quarantine, surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing, clinical management and infection control guidance, cooperation with regional FETPs and rapid response teams in the Central Epidemic Command Center.

Thailand: The Thailand Field Epidemiology Training Program is working hard as part of the country's key human resources to cope with the situation. View photos here.

Read More

From AFENET: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Preparedness in Africa: The Role of African Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs)

From EMPHNET: EMPHNET Supports FETPs in their Response to the Coronavirus