Achievements
Since its inception in 2014, the CR-FELTP has graduated 22 cohorts at the Frontline FETP (four cohorts), Level 1 (Basic - 17 cohorts) and Level 2 (Intermediate - one cohort). Since graduation, graduates have used their skills in investigating outbreaks of the vector-borne diseases dengue, Zika, and chikungunya; food-borne illness; as well as outbreaks of pertussis, norovirus, and chicken pox. Graduates have also been involved in responding to disaster/emergency response as in the case of Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria.
In 2018, three Frontline FETP abstracts were presented at the 10th TEPHINET Regional Scientific Conference of the Americas held in Colombia in May 2018. In August 2018, two Frontline FETP abstracts were accepted for presentation at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases (ICEID) held in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CR-FELTP has retrained graduates in outbreak investigation. Several graduates play a key role in their country’s COVID-19 task forces, being active in planning and coordinating case investigations, quarantine measures, and monitoring of cases. Additionally, the CR-FELTP assists in the coordination of the CARPHA COVID-19 Health Rounds which serve to provide CARPHA Member States with technical guidance to support public health policy and clinical decision-making affecting the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, medical product use and safety in response to COVID-19 pandemic.