Emerging Infectious Diseases (Nov 2022)

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

  • Sujeet Kumar Singh,
  • Tanzin Dikid,
  • Meera Dhuria,
  • Arti Bahl,
  • Ramesh Chandra,
  • Thandayamparambil Pradeep Vaisakh,
  • Surendra Mohan Prajapati,
  • Nishant Nirwan,
  • Lipsy Paul,
  • Manoj Murhekar,
  • Prabhdeep Kaur,
  • Ganeshkumar Parasuraman,
  • Prashant Bhat,
  • Sheila Longkumer,
  • Kevisetuo Anthony Dzeyie,
  • Pankaj Bhatnagar,
  • Nhu Nguyen Tran Minh,
  • Sukarma Tanwar,
  • Rajesh Yadav,
  • Meghna Desai

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2813.220563
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 13
pp. 138 – 144

Abstract

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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.

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