C228 Task 2 Community Outbreak C228

Name of the disease:

Ebola virus disease (EVD), also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

Countries involved:

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in West Africa, primarily in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The outbreak also spread to Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States.

Date the outbreak was discovered:

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa was discovered in March 2014.

Dates the disease reached each involved country:

The outbreak was first identified in Guinea in December 2013. The disease spread rapidly to Sierra Leone and Liberia in 2014. Other countries were affected later in the year and in 2015.

Epidemiological determinants and risk factors associated with the outbreak:

The Ebola outbreak was linked to the consumption of bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food), particularly bats, which are natural hosts of the virus. Lack of public health infrastructure and inadequate healthcare systems were also contributing factors. Additionally, cultural practices such as washing and touching dead bodies also contributed to the spread of the disease.

Route of transmission:

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person, including blood, sweat, saliva, vomit, urine, and feces. The virus can also be spread through contact with objects or surfaces contaminated with infected bodily fluids.

Impact on the community:

An Ebola outbreak can have significant impacts on a community, including disruptions to schools, businesses, and local government. Hospitals may become overwhelmed, and fear and panic can cause further disruptions. The disease can also have significant social and economic consequences, leading to loss of life and livelihoods.

Reporting protocol:

If an outbreak of Ebola were to occur in a community, it would be important to report cases to local health authorities immediately. This would involve notifying public health officials, who would then conduct contact tracing and implement isolation measures to prevent further transmission.

Prevention strategies:

Two strategies that could be recommended to prevent an Ebola outbreak include patient education and community education. Patient education could involve providing information to individuals on how to prevent the spread of the disease, such as washing hands frequently, avoiding contact with sick people, and seeking medical attention if symptoms develop. Community education could involve promoting safe practices around the handling of bushmeat and increasing awareness of the risks associated with traditional funeral practices. Additionally, promoting the use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks, could also help prevent the spread of the disease.