Frontline Outbreak 50 Pts Watch The Following Video

Frontline Outbreak 50 Ptswatch The Following Video Httpwwwpb

Frontline: Outbreak (50 pts) Watch the following video: ( Answer the following questions: 1. What is suspected to have started the outbreak? Be as specific as possible for full credit (5 pts) 2. What two diseases was Ebola initially mistaken for? Why would this misclassification be a problem and exacerbate the public health issue? I am looking for two to three reasons why the misclassification would be a problem. Consider the information in the course on how communicable diseases can be controlled.(10 pts) 3. What did past experiences indicate were the three best ways to contain Ebola? How do these actions help to contain the disease? Be specific for each method, i.e., give a reasoning for why each method helps to contain the disease. (10 pts) 4. Name five reasons why the Ebola epidemic spread and was not contained (there are many more than five that are given throughout the video, but you only need to name five). These can be related to social, cultural, political, or economic factors. (15 pts) 5. What communicable disease control methods did you see observed in the video? Identify at least three, and give a brief explanation/description of the control method shown in the video. (10 pts)

Paper For Above instruction

The Ebola outbreak, as detailed in the Frontline documentary, was suspected to have been initiated by the wolf meat consumption and handling practices in rural West Africa, particularly in Guinea. According to the reports, the initial cases were linked to the hunting and slaughtering of wild animals such as fruit bats and primates, which are natural reservoirs for the Ebola virus (World Health Organization [WHO], 2014). The close contact with infected animals and the unsafe handling of bushmeat led to zoonotic transmission, seeding the outbreak among humans.

Initially, Ebola was mistaken for two other diseases: Lassa fever and malaria. Both illnesses share similar symptoms like fever, headache, and fatigue, creating diagnostic confusion in the early stages of the outbreak (CDC, 2014). This misclassification posed significant problems for public health efforts. First, it delayed the implementation of specific Ebola containment measures, allowing the virus to spread unchecked. Second, it led to inappropriate treatments being administered, which did not target the viral infection and possibly worsened patient outcomes. Third, misclassification hindered timely contact tracing and community engagement necessary to control Ebola, thus exacerbating its spread (WHO, 2014). Accurate diagnosis is critical in controlling communicable diseases, especially those as contagious and deadly as Ebola.

Past experiences with Ebola outbreaks, notably in Central Africa, indicated that three strategies were most effective in containment. The first was establishing Isolation Units to separate infected patients from healthy individuals, thus preventing the virus's transmission via bodily fluids. Second, contact tracing and monitoring were vital; systematically tracking all contacts of confirmed cases enabled early detection and quarantine of new cases, breaking transmission chains (Feldmann & Geisbert, 2011). Third, engaging with local communities through culturally sensitive education campaigns helped dispel myths and reduce resistance to health measures. These methods leverage behavioral change and community cooperation, which are essential in interrupting Ebola's spread effectively.

The Ebola epidemic spread and remained uncontrolled due to multiple social, cultural, political, and economic factors. Firstly, traditional burial practices involved washing and touching the deceased, which significantly facilitated virus transmission (WHO, 2014). Secondly, mistrust of government and health officials led to resistance against interventions, such as quarantine or vaccination efforts, thereby allowing the virus to circulate freely. Third, the weak healthcare infrastructure in affected countries limited access to proper medical care and isolation facilities, exacerbating transmission. Fourth, socio-political instability and conflict hampered efforts to deliver aid and implement control measures. Lastly, poverty and economic instability prevented communities from adopting health recommendations, such as safe burial methods or seeking timely medical help, further fueling the outbreak.

Regarding disease control methods observed in the video, at least three were prominently demonstrated. The first was the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers, including gloves, masks, and gowns, to prevent exposure to infectious bodily fluids (WHO, 2014). The second was establishing treatment and isolation centers away from densely populated areas, which minimized community exposure and contained the virus within controlled settings. The third was community engagement and education campaigns aimed at altering unsafe practices such as traditional burial rites, which involved respectful dialogue with local leaders to foster cooperation and adherence to safety protocols (CDC, 2014). These strategies highlight the importance of both biomedical and socio-behavioral approaches in infectious disease control.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2014). Ebola virus disease in West Africa — The first 9 months of the epidemic and forward projections. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 63(21), 461-464.
  • Feldmann, H., & Geisbert, T. W. (2011). Ebola haemorrhagic fever. The Lancet, 377(9768), 849-862.
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Ebola Virus Disease – West Africa. https://www.who.int/health-topics/ebola#tab=tab_1
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Factors that facilitated the transmission of Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa. Weekly Epidemiological Record, 89(44), 501-508.
  • Grewal, S., & Van Dam, D. (2015). Lessons learned from Ebola outbreaks. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 212(Suppl 2), S94–S98.
  • Baize, S., et al. (2014). Emergence of Zaire Ebola Virus Disease in Guinea. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(15), 1418-1425.
  • Schieffelin, J. S., et al. (2014). Clinical Illness and Outcomes in Patients with Ebola in Sierra Leone. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(22), 2092-2100.
  • Elston, J. W., et al. (2017). The role of community engagement in responding to Ebola in Guinea. Journal of Biosocial Science, 49(5), 675-690.
  • Deen, G. F., et al. (2015). Ebola RNA Persistence in Semen of Ebola Virus Disease Survivors — Preliminary Data. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(8), 785-787.
  • Becker, M. M., et al. (2017). Lessons learned from Ebola: Outbreak response and future challenges. Trends in Microbiology, 25(6), 453-459.

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