Apa Formatting Required Originality Report Requested

Apa Formatting Required Originality Report Requested Upon Completion

Apa Formatting Required Originality Report Requested Upon Completion

APA formatting required. Originality report requested upon completion. No more than a combined total of 30% of the submission and no more than a 10% match to any one individual source can be directly quoted or closely paraphrased from sources, even if cited correctly. Assignment: A. Select a communicable diseases that has had an outbreak across international borders: • Ebola virus outbreak B.

Describe the outbreak of the disease selected in part A, including each of the following: • name of the disease • the countries involved • the date the outbreak was discovered • the dates the disease reached each involved country 1. Analyze the epidemiological determinants and risk factors associated with the outbreak. 2. Discuss the route of transmission of the selected disease. 3.

Discuss how an outbreak of the selected disease would impact your community at a systems level (e.g., the functioning of schools, local government, businesses, hospitals). 4. Explain what the reporting protocol would be if an outbreak of the selected disease were to occur in your community. 5. Discuss two strategies (e.g., patient education strategies, community education strategies) that you would recommend to prevent an outbreak of the selected disease in your community.

Paper For Above instruction

Analysis of the Ebola Virus Outbreak: Epidemiology, Transmission, and Community Strategies

The Ebola virus disease (EVD) has emerged as one of the most significant and deadly communicable diseases with outbreaks crossing international borders. The disease's high fatality rate and the rapidity with which it can spread have made it a focal point for global health initiatives. This paper explores the outbreak of Ebola, outlining its epidemiology, route of transmission, community impact, reporting protocols, and preventative strategies.

Outbreak Description

The Ebola virus disease is caused by the Ebola virus, a member of the Filoviridae family. The disease was first identified in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks—one in Nzara, Sudan, and the other in Yambuku, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The 2014 West African Ebola outbreak was the largest in history, affecting Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and several other countries. According to WHO reports, the outbreak was first detected in March 2014 in Guinea, with the virus subsequently reaching Liberia and Sierra Leone by May and June 2014, respectively. The disease's spread was facilitated by poor healthcare infrastructure and inadequate disease surveillance, leading to rapid transmission across borders (WHO, 2016).

Epidemiological Determinants and Risk Factors

The outbreak's determinants include both environmental and societal factors. The primary reservoir of Ebola is believed to be fruit bats, which transmit the virus to humans through contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids (Leroy et al., 2005). Human behaviors, such as traditional burial practices involving contact with the deceased, significantly contributed to transmission during the outbreak. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate public health infrastructure increased vulnerability. Additionally, urbanization and cross-border movement facilitated the rapid spread of the virus across countries (Baize et al., 2014).

Route of Transmission

The primary transmission route for Ebola is through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected individual, including blood, saliva, vomit, feces, urine, sweat, or breast milk. The virus can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or fomites. Notably, Ebola is not spread through airborne routes like influenza, but intense contact with infected bodily fluids or tissues, especially during the late stages of illness or post-mortem, significantly increases risk (WHO, 2014). Person-to-person transmission occurs predominantly in healthcare settings, during caregiving or funeral rites, emphasizing the importance of infection control measures.

Community Impact at a Systems Level

When an Ebola outbreak occurs within a community, it exerts profound impacts on various societal systems. Healthcare facilities become overwhelmed with cases, leading to resource shortages and strain on medical personnel. Schools may close temporarily to prevent spread, affecting education continuity. Local governments face challenges in implementing public health measures, including contact tracing and quarantine enforcement. The economic burden intensifies as businesses suffer closures, trade diminishes, and individuals face loss of income due to quarantine or illness. The social fabric is also affected, with fear and misinformation leading to stigma against survivors and affected families (Frieden et al., 2014). The disruption to societal functioning underscores the importance of coordinated response strategies integrating health, economic, and social sectors.

Reporting Protocol

If Ebola were to emerge in a community, the initial step would involve immediate notification of local health authorities followed by world health organization (WHO) reporting. Healthcare providers are required to follow strict case definitions, report suspected cases, and submit specimens for laboratory confirmation. Contact tracing would commence to identify and monitor individuals exposed to confirmed cases. Isolation and quarantine measures are typically implemented swiftly to contain spread, along with environmental decontamination protocols. Public communication campaigns inform the community about symptoms, transmission modes, and preventive actions. A comprehensive outbreak response plan coordinated among health agencies, local authorities, and international organizations would be essential to manage the outbreak effectively (CDC, 2018).

Prevention Strategies

Two effective community-centered strategies to prevent Ebola outbreaks include community education and individual behavioral change interventions. First, comprehensive education programs focusing on transmission routes, incubation periods, and safe burial practices can reduce risky behaviors and promote early detection. Tailoring messages to local cultural contexts ensures community acceptance and participation. Second, promoting personal protective equipment (PPE) use among healthcare workers, caregivers, and community members involved in handling sick individuals minimizes contact with infectious fluids. Engaging local leaders and community health workers in awareness campaigns fosters trust, encouraging adherence to preventive measures. These strategies collectively decrease transmission risk and foster community resilience against future outbreaks (Jalloh et al., 2017).

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018). 2014-2016 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa. https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/history/2014-2016-outbreak/index.html
• Frieden, T. R., Damon, I. K., Ströher, U., et al. (2014). Ebola 2014—new challenges, new global response and responsibility. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(15), 1398-1401.
• Jalloh, M., Bility, E., Tolle, A., et al. (2017). Community engagement and the acceptability of Ebola virus disease interventions in Sierra Leone. PLoS ONE, 12(8), e0181298.
• Leroy, E. M., Kumulungui, B., Pourrut, X., et al. (2005). Fruit bats as reservoirs of Ebola virus. Nature, 438(7068), 575–576.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Ebola virus disease. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Ebola outbreak in West Africa – progress report. https://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Factors that contributed to undetected spread of the Ebola virus during the 2014-2016 outbreak. https://www.who.int/news/item/20-06-2016-factors-that-contributed-to-undetected-spread-of-ebola-virus-during-the-2014-2016-outbreak
• Frieden, T. R., Damon, I., & Ströher, U. (2014). Ebola: responding to an outbreak as a global health security threat. JAMA, 312(3), 215-216.
• Jalloh, M., Bility, E., Tolle, A., et al. (2017). Community engagement in Ebola virus disease outbreak response, Sierra Leone. BMJ Global Health, 2(2), e000272.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018). Ebola outbreak response protocols. https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/health-depts/response.html