Investigate and analyse the wide range of interrelated factors

Investigate and analyse the wide range of interrelated factors involved in limiting local, regional and global spread of a named infectious disease

  • Ebola outbreak during 2014–2016 in West Africa was the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976. There were more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined and was noticed to be spread globally.
  • Some of the factors that played role in the widespread of the virus and preventive measures taken to minimize the possibilities of those factors are as follows:
    • Reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission:
      • It was found that fruit bats were a natural host to the Ebola virus.
      • Thus, contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat or fruits that came in contact with the infected bat or monkey will likely to spread the disease.
      • Animals should be handled with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing.
      • Fruits should be checked carefully for any marks that indicates if it had been in contact with any of the host animal. They should be disposed immediately. Both export and local supplies of food products must go through testing and screening process to ensure they are virus free before they are by a huge number of populations.
    • Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission:
      • Avoiding direct or close contact with people with Ebola symptoms, particularly with their bodily fluids.
      • Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home.
      • Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home.
    • Reducing the risk of possible sexual transmission:
      • There are high possibilities of the virus being transmitted through copulation and mating by bodily fluids. Contact with body fluids should be avoided and washing with soap and water is recommended. WHO does not recommend isolation of male or female convalescent patients whose blood has been tested negative for Ebola virus.
    • Outbreak containment measures:
      • Proper burial of the dead, disposal of food products contaminated with Ebola virus will help to prevent the widespread of the disease.
      • Quarantine methods will also contribute in controlling the spread of the disease worldwide.
      • Identifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with Ebola and monitoring their health for 21 days, the importance of separating the healthy from the sick to prevent further spread, and the importance of good hygiene and maintaining a clean environment.

[Reference: http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease]

Extract from HSC Biology Stage 6 Syllabus. © 2017 Board of Studies NSW.

EasyBio > Infectious Disease > Prevention, Treatment and Control > Investigate and analyse the wide range of interrelated factors

Investigate and analyse the wide range of interrelated factors involved in limiting local, regional and global spread of a named infectious disease

  • Ebola outbreak during 2014–2016 in West Africa was the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976. There were more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined and was noticed to be spread globally.
  • Some of the factors that played role in the widespread of the virus and preventive measures taken to minimize the possibilities of those factors are as follows:
    • Reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission:
      • It was found that fruit bats were a natural host to the Ebola virus.
      • Thus, contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat or fruits that came in contact with the infected bat or monkey will likely to spread the disease.
      • Animals should be handled with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing.
      • Fruits should be checked carefully for any marks that indicates if it had been in contact with any of the host animal. They should be disposed immediately. Both export and local supplies of food products must go through testing and screening process to ensure they are virus free before they are by a huge number of populations.
    • Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission:
      • Avoiding direct or close contact with people with Ebola symptoms, particularly with their bodily fluids.
      • Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home.
      • Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home.
    • Reducing the risk of possible sexual transmission:
      • There are high possibilities of the virus being transmitted through copulation and mating by bodily fluids. Contact with body fluids should be avoided and washing with soap and water is recommended. WHO does not recommend isolation of male or female convalescent patients whose blood has been tested negative for Ebola virus.
    • Outbreak containment measures:
      • Proper burial of the dead, disposal of food products contaminated with Ebola virus will help to prevent the widespread of the disease.
      • Quarantine methods will also contribute in controlling the spread of the disease worldwide.
      • Identifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with Ebola and monitoring their health for 21 days, the importance of separating the healthy from the sick to prevent further spread, and the importance of good hygiene and maintaining a clean environment.

[Reference: http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease]

Extract from HSC Biology Stage 6 Syllabus. © 2017 Board of Studies NSW.