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Review

India Field Epidemiology Training Program Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2021

Sujeet Kumar Singh et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

The India Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) has played a critical role in India's response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During March 2020-June 2021, a total of 123 FETP officers from across 3 training hubs were deployed in support of India's efforts to combat COVID-19. FETP officers have successfully mitigated the effect of COVID-19 on persons in India by conducting cluster outbreak investigations, performing surveillance system evaluations, and developing infection prevention and control tools and guidelines. This report discusses the successes of select COVID-19 pandemic response activities undertaken by current India FETP officers and proposes a pathway to augmenting India's pandemic preparedness and response efforts through expansion of this network and a strengthened frontline public health workforce.

Keywords: COVID-19; Field Epidemiology Training Program; India; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of India Field Epidemiology Training Program officers (advanced and intermediate current officers and alumni) during COVID-19 response, India, March 2020–June 2021. Circle sizes indicate number of officers.
Figure 2
Figure 2
COVID-19 cases in a coastal fishing community in southern India, June–July 2020.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Implementation changes in surveillance activities in Udupi, Karnataka, India, 2020–2021. EIS, Epidemic Intelligence Service.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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