WHO issues updated recommendations on TB infection prevention and control
The World Health Organization has just issued updated WHO guidelines on TB infection prevention and control. These guidelines outline a new evidence-based framework that promotes the implementation of an integrated package of Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) interventions based on administrative, engineering, and respiratory protection controls. This will contribute to cutting transmission and reducing the burden of TB illness and death to reach the global targets of the End TB Strategy and the political declaration of the UN High Level meeting on TB.
“Infection prevention and control is one of the most
important tools in our arsenal to halt the spread of the TB
epidemic,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s
Global TB Programme. “One quarter of the world’s
population is estimated to have TB infection and are at risk of
developing active TB disease during their lifetime, and 10
million people fall ill with TB each year, to break the curve of
the epidemic we urgently need all stakeholders including
policymakers, implementers and donors, across sectors to
accelerate action and continue mobilising resources to improve
prevention strategies, including TB infection prevention and
control”.
The updated recommendations present an opportunity for countries
and key stakeholders to continue to build or expand their
infection prevention and control capacity. To support this
process, the End TB Transmission Initiative (ETTi) will assist
countries through the development of a TB infection prevention
and control implementation manual to be launched following the
release of these guidelines. Dr Carrie Tudor, ETTi Chair and TB
Project Director within the International Council of Nurses,
said "the implementation manual will assist countries to
operationalise the updated WHO recommendations through case
studies and best practice examples to strengthen their IPC
programmes to decrease TB transmission and contribute to the
global targets to end TB”.
The update of these guidelines was achieved through
collaboration with an international panel of experts on
infection prevention and control and representatives of affected
communities. In addition, in the broader context of infection
control, these guidelines link up with existing WHO framework of
recommendations and good practice, IPC Core Components,
to help countries prevent and address current and future
threats as they strengthen IPC capacity at all levels of
care.
Prof Benedetta Allegranzi, Coordinator, WHO Infection Prevention
and Control Global Unit, said that “proper adoption and
implementation of infection prevention and control measures can
help hinder transmission, but to do so, it is required for
programmes at the national and local level to have a system
change, improving infrastructure and practices at the point of
care.”
WHO urges countries to implement the recommended package of
comprehensive interventions infection prevention and control,
ensuring secured and sustainable resources.
The target audience for these guidelines includes national and subnational policymakers; frontline health workers; health system managers for TB, HIV and highly prevalent noncommunicable disease programmes; managers of IPC services in inpatient and outpatient facilities; managers of congregate settings and penitentiary facilities; occupational health officials; and other key TB stakeholders.
Access the guidelines
here.
Source:
WHO
