Strategies of Containing Contagious Diseases Discussion Chapter

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Applying Epidemiology

The case study centers mainly on analyzing the symptoms of an unknown disease experienced by students at one of the universities in Central South Texas. The students were suffering from nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. The two students reported the food they had taken in one of the local pizzerias had caused the illness. Other analyses on the 23 students seek to investigate the illness whose symptoms are described in the study. In order to do this, tests on the existence of certain disease-causing agents such as Listeria, Vibrio, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Escherichia Coli will be undertaken. The presence or absence of these organisms will aid the identification of the disease ailing the students. Besides, the case study describes the locality of the university succinctly and a place where it gets its water services. Analytically, the case study relates the unknown illness that the students suffer from to a water-borne disease whose symptoms are described. In particular, the central investigative idea presented in the case study seeks to identify the type of illness that the students have. The institution uses water and sewage services from the municipal. Besides, some members of the locals have been confirmed to be suffering from the same condition. The dining services include two main cafeterias, which are under the management by a single company, and there are six fast food establishments in the university. The university has about 2000 students all who are beneficiaries of the meal plan. Observation of this case depicts that the central issue being investigated in the case is the possible particular illness at the university. Care has to be undertaken at this point because all of them are predisposed to the possibility of contracting similar illnesses.

The first step involves confirming the existence of an epidemic or outbreak. Outbreak is defined as a given situation whereby an observable number of individuals suffer from a given condition or disease.

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In this case, the outbreak is the presence of similar symptoms among students and some members of the public but within the same community in south central Texas. Considering that the individuals who have depicted the same symptoms are over 20, it is obvious that there is a common causative agent of the undefined illness. In determining outbreaks, comparison of the present numbers of incidences with the past ones over one time is done (Committee on Communicable Diseases Affecting Man, Food Subcommittee, 1988). In case the number is large, an outbreak is likely to be established. In the case, the outbreak is related to a water-borne disease. The outbreak has also manifested itself in a broad geographical region since it has also affected non-students. When conducting the study on the outbreak, the investigator must rule out other possible causes for the increased number of individuals suffering from the disease. In this case, several patients have been tested, and cases of disease-causing agents have not been recorded.

The next step involves confirmation of the diagnosis normally done by obtaining relevant or appropriate specimens for the purpose of laboratory studies. In addition, it is important to obtain the appropriate clinical histories for the patients. For instance, the two students whose cases have been described in the case study should present their clinical histories. The step is important because they may be suffering from other diseases that are not related with the outbreak. Laboratory study is done by carrying out stool tests to check whether the patients suffer from some diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Notably, the laboratory identification of the pathogen can help in validating the hypothesis as well as allow easier implementation of appropriate controls, as well as, the necessary preventive measures. When determining the number of cases as described….....

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