Epidemic
Environmental and Global Health Issues
Focus: SARS Community Health Nursing
HAT Task 3 Kambrea Childs
December 2012
A: Communicable Disease Outbreak:
Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, SARS is defined by the United States Department of Medicine as a severe form of viral pneumonia that results in respiratory distress that ranges from mild to severe and can even lead to death. (n.d. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia) In February 2003, the SARS virus was first reported in Asia and before containment it accounted for over 8,000 deaths worldwide. (NCBI, n.d.)
The spread of SARS occurs as follows:
• Close Contact
• Respiratory Droplets from a cough or sneeze
• Object or surface contamination
• Some forms can also be spread via airborne.
It has been reported by the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention that what is now referred to as the 2003 Outbreak, was spread throughout the world by means that are the reality of actions that take place every day. A doctor cared for sick patients that were infected with a superbug not known to him at that time. He then stayed in a hotel in Hong Kong. 12 people that came into contact or close proximity to him during his stay became infected. Those 12 people went on their way and within 24 hours took the disease with them infecting more than 350 people during their travels to 6 countries. Once in those countries the outbreak spread like wildfire. (CDC, n.d.)
The epidemiological indicators associated with SARS gives justification for the very serious attention this outbreak received. Consider the following: Who, What, Where, When, and how can an outbreak like this occur. The answers are clear and the reality of how easy this virus affected so many people so quickly is scary. The symptoms of SARS are very similar to those associated with the common cold. Mucus production resulting in coughing, sneezing and running nose. This allows for mucus to
Focus: SARS Community Health Nursing
HAT Task 3 Kambrea Childs
December 2012
A: Communicable Disease Outbreak:
Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, SARS is defined by the United States Department of Medicine as a severe form of viral pneumonia that results in respiratory distress that ranges from mild to severe and can even lead to death. (n.d. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia) In February 2003, the SARS virus was first reported in Asia and before containment it accounted for over 8,000 deaths worldwide. (NCBI, n.d.)
The spread of SARS occurs as follows:
• Close Contact
• Respiratory Droplets from a cough or sneeze
• Object or surface contamination
• Some forms can also be spread via airborne.
It has been reported by the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention that what is now referred to as the 2003 Outbreak, was spread throughout the world by means that are the reality of actions that take place every day. A doctor cared for sick patients that were infected with a superbug not known to him at that time. He then stayed in a hotel in Hong Kong. 12 people that came into contact or close proximity to him during his stay became infected. Those 12 people went on their way and within 24 hours took the disease with them infecting more than 350 people during their travels to 6 countries. Once in those countries the outbreak spread like wildfire. (CDC, n.d.)
The epidemiological indicators associated with SARS gives justification for the very serious attention this outbreak received. Consider the following: Who, What, Where, When, and how can an outbreak like this occur. The answers are clear and the reality of how easy this virus affected so many people so quickly is scary. The symptoms of SARS are very similar to those associated with the common cold. Mucus production resulting in coughing, sneezing and running nose. This allows for mucus to
References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/sars December 2012 Murphy, C., (January 31, 2006) “The 2003 SARS outbreak: Global Challenges and Innovation Infection Control Measures” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 11. No. 1, Manuscript 5. Xing W., Hejblum G., Leung G., Valleron A. Anatomy of the Epidemiological Literature on the 2003 SARS Outbreak in Hong Kong and Toronto: A time Stratfield Review. 2010, May 4 doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000272.