Community Outbreak Across International Borders

Select one of the following communicable diseases that has had an outbreak across international borders:

• influenza

• measles

• respiratory syndrome coronavirus

• meningococcal disease

• HIV/AIDS

• Ebola virus

• hepatitis B

• hepatitis C

• tuberculosis

• Zika virus

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

Analyze the epidemiological determinants and risk factors associated with the outbreak.
Discuss the route of transmission of the selected disease.
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).
Explain what the reporting protocol would be if an outbreak of the selected disease were to occur in your community.
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.

(Community Outbreak Across International Borders)

Selected Communicable Disease: Measles

Description of the Outbreak

The selected disease is measles. Measles outbreaks have occurred globally, with significant outbreaks reported in countries such as the United States, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ukraine. The outbreak in the United States was discovered in January 2019, with cases originating from unvaccinated individuals who traveled to Disneyland in California. This outbreak spread rapidly, resulting in over 600 confirmed cases across several states by the end of the year. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a severe outbreak began in 2018, with the World Health Organization reporting thousands of cases, driven by low vaccination rates.

Epidemiological Determinants and Risk Factors

The epidemiological determinants of the measles outbreak include low vaccination coverage, particularly in communities with vaccine hesitancy. Risk factors also include travel to regions with ongoing outbreaks, socioeconomic factors affecting healthcare access, and misinformation regarding vaccine safety. The World Health Organization emphasizes that outbreaks are often exacerbated by under-immunization and the persistence of measles in under-resourced healthcare systems (World Health Organization, 2021).

Route of Transmission

Measles is transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes. It is highly contagious, with a secondary attack rate of 90% among unvaccinated individuals. The virus can remain viable in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area, increasing the potential for widespread transmission (Paules & Fauci, 2018).

Community Impact at a Systems Level

An outbreak of measles in the community would significantly impact local systems. Schools might face closures or increased absenteeism due to illness, affecting educational continuity. Local government and businesses could experience disruptions due to heightened public health measures, including vaccination campaigns and community education efforts. Hospitals may become overwhelmed with cases, straining resources and affecting care for non-measles-related health issues (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).

Reporting Protocol

If an outbreak of measles were to occur in my community, the reporting protocol would involve notifying public health authorities immediately. Healthcare providers would be required to report suspected cases to the local health department, which would then initiate an investigation. Public health officials would conduct contact tracing and inform the community about vaccination opportunities and preventive measures.

Prevention Strategies

To prevent an outbreak of measles in my community, I recommend the following two strategies:

Patient Education Strategies: Implement educational campaigns focusing on the importance of vaccination and the risks associated with measles. These campaigns could target schools, healthcare providers, and community centers to disseminate accurate information about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Community Education Strategies: Engage community leaders and organizations to promote vaccination drives. Collaborating with local schools, faith-based organizations, and social media influencers can help reach diverse populations and address concerns related to vaccines, fostering a culture of vaccination (World Health Organization, 2021).

References

World Health Organization. (2021). Measles. Fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease). https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html

Paules, C. I., & Fauci, A. S. (2018). Influenza: Historical Insights and Current Progress. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 218(4), 569-578. https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/218/4/569/5050431

World Health Organization. (2021). Tuberculosis (TB). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis

Zika Virus. (2021). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

Meningococcal Disease. (2022). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/meningococcal-disease

Community Outbreak Across International Borders