Roles of Surveillance and Rapid Response Team (SRRT) for Initial Dengue Fever Control: a Case Study in the 2nd Health Region

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the result of SRRT assessment which was conducted by the Office of Disease Prevention and Control 2, Department of Disease Control, and the result of initial dengue fever control; and to explore the roles and functions of the district SRRT with successful and unsuccessful dengue control. The quantitative and qualitative studies were used. Quantita-tive data were collected from 426 Sub-Districts in 47 Districts of the 2^nd Public Health Region of Thailand. In-depth interview and group conversation among SRRT members, including the focal point, were conducted in purposively selected district SRRTs. The assessment in 2013 showed that the majority of SRRTs (44 out of 47 SRRTs) achieved the standard and good levels while only 3 SRRTs were below the standard criteria. However, only 7 SRRTs (out of 44) could succeed in the control of dengue fever outbreaks. Based on the study results, although the result of SRRT assessment could not fully guarantee the result of dengue fever outbreak control, it is essential to strengthen and ensure competency and effective skill of SRRT. The SRRT should be rich of technical knowledge in order to be able to “early detect and perform rapid response” which means that SRRT must be informed quickly and take action immediately. In addition, the SRRT should be skillful in effective coordination with other relevant stakeholders in order to collaborative work together for “harm reduction and reducing disease infection for the safety of the population”, which means the disease is controlled and the people are safe. This will ensure the ultimate aim of SRRT’s effective actions and epidemic diseases are under control.