Identify a recent public health emergency (with the exception of Hurricane Katri

Question

Identify a recent public health emergency (with the exception of Hurricane Katrina) and gather several forms of correspondence relating to the local, state, and federal response (as applicable) to this emergency (i.e. news releases, online media, etc.). Write a two-page case study article describing the response, citing sources using AMA format, identifying positive and negative outcomes, and critically reviewing all aspects of this response, making suggestions for improvements based on your learning. Note this should be original work and will be checked in Safe Assign for originality.  

Explanation / Answer

Zika virus: a disease which is caused by a virus and transmitted mainly by Aedes mosquito. Symptoms of zika virus are mild fever, conjuctivities, headache, muscle and joint pain, skin rash etc and lasts for 2-7 days. It was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkey through yellow fever, later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and United Public of Tanzania, then other cases of human infections recored in Africa, America, Asia and Pacific. In 2007, first large record of zika virus infection found in Island of Yap. A link was found between Zika virus infection and Guillain Barre syndrome.

After the outbreak of Zika virus and its transmission to 20 countries it was declared the global health emergency by WHO in the first meeting of Emergency Committee conveyed by the Director General under the International Health Regulations(2005) on februray 1 2016 because there were also cases of microcephaly and other neurological disorders like Guillain Barre syndrome in areas which are affected by zika virus.

As the precationary measures committee made following recommedations:

enhance survelliance for zika virus, disseminations of standard case definations and diagonostic at risk areas

Priorities for developent for new diagonostic for infection of zika virus in order to faciliate survelliance and control measures

Enhance risk communication in countries affecting with zika virus, address population concerns,application of vector control and protective measures, enhance community engagement

To promote aggressively vector control measures and implement them to reduce the risk of zika virus transmission

councelling for pregnant women who are exposed to zika virus for birth outcomes based on best available information and national policies and practices

Special attention should be given to pregnant women to reduce the risk of zika virus

To intensify the research and efforts to vaccines, theraupatics, diagonostics for zika virus

In areas affecting with zika virus health services be prepared for combating the effects neurological and cogenitial malformations

No restrictions on trade and travel countries affecting with zika virus

To provide information on potential risks and appropriate measures to travellers about the transmission of virus and reduce possiblity of exposure to mosquito bites

Disinfection of airports and aircraft according to standard WHO recommedations

Sharing of clinical, epidomogical and virologic data to WHO regarding zika virus, microcephaly and GuellieBarre Syndrome incidents in order to provide international understanding on zika virus as well as guidance to further research and development and international support for control measures

The cases of zika virus has been reduced in the present day because now the control measures are effective according to the report by United States

Suggestions:

SInce zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes so we should use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets while sleeping.

The insecticides should be sprayed regularly in our houses.

Also the houses should be made clean and the water in the pots should be changed regularly to reduce breeding ground mosquitoes

Avoid travelling in those countries which are at high risk by zika virus

Before the pregancy the mother should thoroughly does checkup for zika virus so to reduce its risk to the child

Sources:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2016/1st-emergency-committee-zika/en/

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/health/zika-virus-world-health-organization.html?_r=0

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/

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