In the second week of February 2020, your local community experienced an outbreak of a serious disease that at the time had not been identified. Those who contracted the disease suffered headaches, vomiting, severe diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, and extreme weakness among other symptoms.
Thirty (30) members of the community were hospitalized, and many others treated and released from the local hospital.
During the following week, increasing numbers of similar cases were seen and treated with urgency at the local hospital.
There was extreme anxiety and panic in the small community because of the fear of death and extinction.
Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholera bacteria in all affected individuals.
Diagnosis for the disease was further established to be Cholera.
The situation needs to be urgently addressed because when not properly treated, fatality rate gets to a high of 50% in all affected persons.
Because this disease can spread very rapidly, urgent preventive efforts are needed to contain the situation.
Using the above scenario, complete the case assessment and write-up by referring to the guide below:
Organization of Write-up:
1.) Discuss what you know about the history of Cholera disease.
2.) What would you suggest being the appropriate response by (a) the local health department and with other agencies, (b) state department of health and (c) federal government and the different roles they would play in the prevention and the investigation of the outbreak?
3.) Explain the different ways the disease spreads and the possible steps that need to be taken to inform and protect the general public.
4.) In order to understand how the disease got to the community, what kinds of questions would you be interested in your attempt to get answers from the patients as you begin the investigation of the outbreak?
5.) Discuss prevention and control measures you would recommend preventing further spread of the disease within the community?
6.) What is the key lesson one can learn about investigation and outbreak of such a disease?