Smallpox Epidemiology
- Which single achievement in Epidemiology is of particular interest to you? (Some examples include Smallpox, HIV/AIDS, Tobacco Use, and Cholera). Please write 2-3 sentences maximum.
The development of epidemiology on small pox attracted my attention especially because of the fact that even though there have been specific innovations in medicine today, the ultimate resolution to this particular ailment has not been fully found yet. Nevertheless, it is understood that somehow, the desire of creating a more comprehensive report and research on the matter is expected to lead the modern medical teams into better options of developing subjects that would lead them towards a well-developed understanding about smallpox. The onset of the growth of the ailment in the 1970’s and its complete eradication in 1980 fascinates me personally. However, knowing that the same virus that caused Small Pox in the past still exists at present, causes me to become more concerned about the possible onset of the same case with a much stronger effect on the people in the future.
- Briefly describe that achievement in Epidemiology (1-2 paragraphs). In what era did this achievement occur? Be sure to cite sources rather than simply stating your opinion.
The onset of the ailment in the 1970’s has caused alarm towards a lot of societies during the time. Given that the medical procedures have not been developed during the times yet, it could be understood that immediately responding to the problem is not an easy task for the medical experts then. Presented in two clinical forms namely the variola major smallpox with a mortality rate of 30%, and the variola minor which usually has a 1% mortality rate which is a lot weaker than the latter virus; small pox affected a distinct number of societies in the past (Tucker, 2001). In 1980, complete eradication of the ailment occurred, however, it could be noted that the virus causing small pox still exists at present.
- Briefly describe one important tool that can be used to measure its occurrence in a population. Examples of Tools include surveys, surveillance, and biological monitoring. Please write 2 - 3 paragraphs about this, and be sure to cite sources rather than simply stating your opinion.
Through observation on the incubation period on how a virus affects the overall health status of a patient, the determination of whether or not the same virus has already attacked the current modern society could be handled. Through surveillance and biological monitoring, tracking how the said virus becomes exposed into the public and how the public is relatively affected by it; with constant and close observation of the developing situation, medical experts could create immediate response to the matter.
- Please identify one specific source of public health data on that issue and write one paragraph about it. Provide a description of the source and a link (i.e hyperlink or URL) directly to the data source.
For this research, I have personally accessed the Visual Diagnostic Decision Support located at http://www.logicalimages.com/publicHealthResources/smallpox.htm , which provides a distinct indication on what particular ailments are, how they develop and what specific updates are available to increase public knowledge about the ailment and how developmental information should affect the overall perception of the public over the said ailment. Through this portal of information, the creation of immediate resolutions that could actually respond to the health emergency that the society needs to face could be accomplished accordingly.
This website also provides a distinct impact on how the progress of understanding the virus causing small pox gives a better presentation on how a possible onset of the same health emergency in the future could be controlled and managed effectively. Giving updated information about the ailment makes this website a useful source for the sake of keeping a timely analysis of what might happen next regarding the possible onset of smallpox in the future.
- Incorporating what you learned in this module about risk and rates, what would you say was one major factor that influenced the achievement of this occurrence? Please write 2-3 paragraphs and be sure to cite sources rather than simply stating your opinion.
The rapid manifestation of the health problem regarding small pox which affects major societies in the past has increased the emergency rate by which the medical experts are highly concerned with (Wiley, et al, 2009). Notably, it is the desire to save the lives of the people who are not yet affected by the virus that caused them to become more concerned on how they are to resolve the matter immediately. Particularly, it could be realized that with such emergence of emergency, the medical practitioners during the time were pressured to find immediate cure. The eradication of small pox indentifies the capacity of the medical approaches in the past to be more specific about their resolutions. Given the innovations today, it is expected that finding solutions to the medical problems, in case the same virus attacks the modern population, would be much easier to complete. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that as a past virus makes a comeback, it has a stronger effect on the society and has a much harder point of being resolved with immediate medical responses.
References:
Visual Diagnostic Decision Support. Small Pox. http://www.logicalimages.com/publicHealthResources/smallpox.htm. (Retrieved on June 30, 2014)
Wiley, Andrea S., & Allen, John S. Medical Anthropology: A Biocultural Approach. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Tucker, Jonathan B. Scourge: The Once and Future Threat of Smallpox. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2001.
