Every day large numbers of people and products, some carrying diseases,
cross back and forth along the nearly 5,000 kilometers of land boundaries
separating Thailand from its neighbors. To strengthen disease surveillance
between Thailand and Laos, the Thai and Lao Field Epidemiology Training
Programs (FETP) completed two surveillance evaluations in the neighboring
provinces of Mukdahan, Thailand and Savannakhet, Laos; and also in
Nong Khai, Thailand and Vientiane, Laos. Provincial health staff from
these provinces joined FETP staff and fellows to evaluate surveillance for
pneumonia and dengue fever.
Surveillance improved markedly as a result, with shorter disease reporting
times, and greater accuracy. In addition, collaboration was strengthened
between the Thai and Lao FETPs and local public health staff on both sides
of the border, improving the ability to detect and control outbreaks in these
areas.