Throughout the course of this discussion board the identity of an emerging or reemerging infectious disease will be discussed. An investigative process used to identify the outbreak, and describe its effect using descriptive epidemiology (person, place, and time) will be reviewed. How the epidemiologic triangle and vector theory to the selected outbreak will be discussed. An evaluation on how the prior health care interventions, or lack thereof, created the conditions that allowed this infectious disease to emerge. Last, a discussion on how the disease outbreak might have been avoided or mitigated along with agencies, organizations, and resources that could have supported these efforts.
In this discussion board the emerging and even reemerging infectious disease that will be discussed is pertussis also known as whooping cough. In the state of Ohio, pertussis has been seen reemerging into the communities. The diversity of the State of Ohio includes many complex populations including a large Amish community and the Appalachia where many in this population are unvaccinated. The emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases is a concern for health care providers (Laureate Education (Producer), 2012). Due to the increase of the pertussis virus, it has now become a reemerging infectious disease. Despite high global vaccine coverage, whooping cough, also known as pertussis, caused by the gram-negative obligate human pathogen Bordetella pertussis (Bp), is resurging worldwide (Fullen, et al, 2020).
An investigative process used to identify the outbreak, and describe its effect using descriptive epidemiology (person, place, and time) included evaluation and isolation of the gene.
Bp research and vaccine formulations are largely based on Tohama I, a strain isolated in Japan in the 1950s and its derivatives (Fullen, et al, 2020). Recent whole genome sequencing and chromosomal analyses of circulating Bp (cBp) strains changed the prevailing view of Bp as a monomorphic pathogen with small genetic changes and SNPs (Fullen, et al, 2020). Instead, cBp strains represent a dynamic population whose genomes exhibit extensive structural rearrangements including large inversions, duplications, and deletions (Fullen, et al, 2020).
The epidemiologic triangle and vector theory to the pertussis outbreak have included the host, agent, and the environment will utilize the Amish population in Ohio. Multiple outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including pertussis, rubella, measles, varicella, and Haemophilus influenzae, have been reported in under immunized Amish communities (Kettunen, C., Nemecek, J., & Wenger, O., 2017).
Throughout the course of the decreased immunizations has led to injuries and even death among the Amish communities. When parents decide not to immunize a child, it creates risk of disease for the unimmunized child, and others who may come in contact with the unimmunized child (Kettunen, C., Nemecek, J., & Wenger, O., 2017).
The conditions that had been created from those who did not vaccinate has created a dangerous end result for those communities. Many of those who were not following the guidelines for the vaccine schedules were mainly from those who were not educated on the ramifications of not vaccinating. Designing an educational campaign for educating Amish parents on the risks and benefits of immunizations with focus on specific concerns may improve immunization rates (Kettunen, C., Nemecek, J., & Wenger, O., 2017). These communities would benefit from increased opportunities to educate those who love in these communities.
References
Fullen, A. R., Yount, K. S., Dubey, P., & Deora, R. (2020 ). Whoop! There it is: The surprising resurgence of pertussis. PLoS pathogens, 16(7), pp. e1008625.
Kettunen, C., Nemecek, J., & Wenger, O. (2017). Evaluation of low immunization coverage among the Amish population in rural Ohio. American Journal of Infection Control, 45(6), 630-634.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Infectious disease: Two case studies [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Discussion: Investigating Pandemics and Epidemics
Some of the most notable epidemics include the bubonic plague in the 14th century, smallpox in the 18th century, and influenza in the 20th century. Reportedly, the bubonic plague caused over 137 million deaths, whereas the death toll associated with influenza was 25 million (Ernst, 2001). These are dramatic examples of the kinds of acute outbreaks that led to the practice of epidemiology.
Many epidemiologists and health care professionals are concerned about the next potential pandemic or epidemic. With the increased mobility of society, the spread of infectious diseases continues to pose a serious threat. For this Discussion, you will investigate pandemics and epidemics using epidemiological tools, and you will consider strategies for mitigating disease outbreaks.
To prepare:
Using the Learning Resources, consider examples of emerging or reemerging infectious diseases that are occurring locally, nationally, or abroad. Then, select one example on which to focus.
Explore the epidemiological investigative process used to identify the emerging or reemerging infectious disease or outbreak.
Examine your selected infectious disease using the epidemiologic triangle and vector theory.
Consider how health care interventions may reduce the emergence or reemergence of infectious diseases.
By Day 3
Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:
Identify the emerging or reemerging infectious disease you selected.
Discuss the investigative process used to identify the outbreak, and describe its effect using descriptive epidemiology (person, place, and time).
Apply the epidemiologic triangle and vector theory to your selected outbreak.
Evaluate how prior health care interventions, or lack thereof, created the conditions that allowed this infectious disease to emerge.
Discuss how the disease outbreak might have been avoided or mitigated. Include agencies, organizations, and resources that could have supported these efforts. If appropriate, consider ongoing efforts to control the outbreak.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues in one or more of the following ways: Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research. Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives. Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library. Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research. Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings. Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
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