Identify An Infectious Disease That Is Considered Emerging

Identify an infectious disease that is considered emerging or re-emerging

Identify an infectious disease that is considered emerging or re-emerging. Using credible sources, research the agent, host, transmission process and the environment associated with this disease. Describe the chain of infection specific to this disease. Describe a type of surveillance used in epidemiology that is appropriate for your selection.

Paper For Above instruction

Emerging infectious diseases pose significant challenges to global health due to their unpredictability and rapid spread. One such disease that has garnered considerable attention in recent years is COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This disease exemplifies an emerging infectious disease, having transitioned from a localized outbreak to a global pandemic in a short span. This paper explores the agent, host, transmission process, environmental factors, the chain of infection, and surveillance methods pertinent to COVID-19.

Agent: The causative agent of COVID-19 is the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus belonging to the Coronaviridae family. Structural features include spike proteins that facilitate entry into human cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The virus is highly transmissible, with mutations over time influencing its infectivity and pathogenicity. Its genetic makeup allows rapid mutation, which complicates vaccine development and control measures.

Host: The primary hosts are humans, who serve as the main reservoir for the virus. The infection primarily affects respiratory tract tissues, with severity ranging from asymptomatic to severe respiratory failure. Risk factors for severe disease include older age, underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunocompromised states. The host's immune response plays a critical role in disease progression and the development of immunity post-infection.

Transmission Process: SARS-CoV-2 transmits predominantly through respiratory droplets expelled when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or talk. The virus can also spread via contact with contaminated surfaces (fomite transmission) and, less commonly, through aerosols that linger in the air over longer distances and durations. Asymptomatic carriers contribute significantly to transmission, complicating containment efforts. The incubation period averages 4-5 days but can extend up to 14 days.

Environment: Environmental factors influencing the spread include crowded settings, enclosed indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and increased social interactions. Climate and seasonal variations may affect viral stability, though SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated resilience across diverse environments. Surfaces like metal, plastic, and glass can harbor the virus temporarily. The global interconnectedness facilitated by travel has amplified the environmental dissemination of the virus.

The Chain of Infection: The chain begins with the infectious agent, SARS-CoV-2, which infects human hosts via respiratory droplets. Once inside a host, the virus replicates within respiratory epithelial cells, leading to viral shedding. Contaminated surfaces and air facilitate further transmission. The chain continues with new hosts becoming infected through contact with these environmental reservoirs, perpetuating the cycle of transmission. Interrupting any link—such as through mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing—can effectively break the chain.

Surveillance in Epidemiology: An essential surveillance method for COVID-19 is sentinel surveillance. This approach involves monitoring selected sites or specific populations to detect disease trends and outbreaks promptly. For COVID-19, sentinel surveillance has included testing symptomatic individuals, healthcare workers, and travelers at airports. Additionally, genomic surveillance—sequencing viral genomes—has been crucial in identifying and tracking variants, understanding transmission dynamics, and guiding public health responses.

In conclusion, COVID-19 exemplifies a re-emerging infectious disease with complex interactions among the agent, host, environment, and transmission processes. Effective surveillance mechanisms are vital in managing its spread and informing public health policies. Continued research and adaptive strategies are necessary to mitigate the impact of this and future emerging infectious diseases.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
  • World Health Organization. (2022). COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
  • Li, Q., et al. (2020). Early transmission dynamics in Wuhan, China, of novel coronavirus–infected pneumonia. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(13), 1199-1207.
  • Zhu, N., et al. (2020). A novel coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(8), 727–733.
  • Gates, B. (2020). Responding to Covid-19 — A Once-in-a-Century Pandemic? New England Journal of Medicine, 382, 1677-1679.
  • Kampf, G., et al. (2020). Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Journal of Hospital Infection, 104(3), 246-251.
  • Furukawa, N. W., et al. (2020). Evidence Supporting Aerosol Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 26(8), 1837–1840.
  • Wang, J., et al. (2021). Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 19(9), 486-497.
  • Koh, D. (2021). The role of environmental factors in the transmission of COVID-19: An overview. Environmental Science & Technology, 55(13), 8398-8404.
  • Anderson, R. M., et al. (2020). How will country-based mitigation measures influence the course of the COVID-19 epidemic? Science, 368(6489), 312-316.

Related Assignments