Development of a Biosecurity Index for the Districts of India for the Assessment of Capacity to Cope with Infectious Disease Outbreak

Abstract

Background: In the context of newly emerging diseases, global health security has gained importance in recent years. The pandemic COVID-19 has reemphasized the significance. Despite increased attention to enhance health security, the existing capacities were not optimally prepared to respond to public health threats posed by emerging infectious diseases. Objective: The objective of the study was to develop a simple tool that can help monitor and build up the critical capacity to prevent, detect, respond and help identify the gaps in the preparedness of the health system. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 – December 2018 amongst the district level health functionaries like the disease surveillance, laboratory, and the animal health focal points in the selected districts across the three South Indian states. Results: The responses received from the participants of the study were scored and categorized by domains into a biosecurity index, which was easily adaptable to all districts and easy to implement by a district official or state health officer for the initial assessment. Data acquired from this tool could be analysed to build and inform readiness and response plans for preventing and controlling health emergencies. Conclusion: The biosecurity index developed for the Indian districts was an appropriate instrument for epidemic preparedness assessment.