Public Health
Public Health
Today, many diseases, which emerge can be transmitted to a large number of population in different parts of the world. Everyone is vulnerable, even though technology and other health care informatics are evolving every day. However, there are efforts from different professionals in the medical field to address all health concerns and diseases that target the human species.
In 2015, the Zika virus disease has been identified as a local transmission in Brazil and continue to spread through different areas of the United States. In the following year, travel-associated cases have been reported to increase. In addition to this, the disease and other congenital infections have become notifiable nationally and internationally (Armstrong et. al, 2016).
Zika Virus
Zika Virus is a type of mosquito-borne flavivirus that comes from the bites of the infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes (Walker et. al, 2016). It causes mild infection and is commonly transmitted sexually to humans. There are also rare cases that the disease is transferred non-sexually from person to person. It increases the risk of fetal brain abnormalities when a pregnant woman is infected (Huntington, Allison & Nair, 2016). One of the birth defect conditions known is microcephaly which causes infants to have small head when born. Those children who have been infected by the disease have a chance of experiencing slow brain growth and other developmental disabilities (Taylor, 2016).
Risk Assessment
The steps of addressing the health concern are to assess the probability of infection to the population in our community and to assess the impact of the disease on human health. It is still not clearly defined by health care professionals the incubation period of the disease; however, the infection is generally self-limiting, mild, and often asymptomatic. Compared to other vector-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya, the symptoms are usually milder which include fever, headache, rash, joint and muscle pain, lower back pain, conjunctivitis, etc. (CDC, 2016). These last from two to seven days. Deaths caused by Zika virus are very rare although some are associate mostly with other underlying conditions. There is still no specific vaccine or anti-viral treatment available in the market for Zika virus infection (Arzusa-Ortega et. al, 2016). The Zika virus is not endemic in our community as there are few cases reported, although there are two cases of microcephaly in newborns and three cases of travel-associated illness that are diagnosed connected to the disease.
Because of this, the risk of infection is considered extremely low especially to residents who are non-traveler compared to other areas in the United States. However, it is still advisable for pregnant woman to take care and avoid travelling. At the same time, it is recommended that people who engage in sexual activities to use protection and other barrier methods or abstain from sexual contact with a person who is potentially infectious to avoid sexual transmission of the disease. It is expected that Zika virus will still continue to spread through different areas of America, specifically when certain conditions are vulnerable to transmission and if vectors are still widely present. Overall, the probability and impact on human health of the Zika virus remains low in the population of our community.
Intervention Program
Health care professionals and community volunteers have the responsibility to communicate with each other to address the increasing epidemic of the Zika virus. Representatives are assigned to coordinate response efforts with other state public health officials and notify other blood collection agencies on blood safety contingency plans. Anti-mosquito efforts are made to target all species of mosquitoes to prevent not only Zika virus but also most, if not all, vector-borne diseases. Residents are tasked to clean their homes especially those dark areas and artificial containers, which usually have water in it as mosquitoes often lay eggs in these areas to disrupt breeding grounds for the first stage of prevention. In addition to this, there would be a scheduled spraying of insecticide in the different areas of the community to kill all Aedes mosquitoes that cannot be prevented easily be residents. Surveillance must also be enhanced and conducted to monitor all points of entry inside the community to avoid travel-associated Zika virus cases.
Medical health care programs will be conducted in different areas for a month to give medications to all residents especially those who are experiencing symptoms that are identifiable to the disease. Outreach programs are offered to pregnant women to give them information about the disease and give them the steps on how to handle themselves when they experience some of the symptoms of Zika virus. Communication campaigns are given to travelers and other health providers to prepare themselves and give them message regarding sexual transmission and other steps for prevention.
Program Budget Allocation
People
There is no major problem on the budget in terms of the health care providers. Health care professionals from private institutions are to be given with their usual salary. It is only their task to give their services to people needing their help. Volunteers do not really need money as they provided their services free of charge. Other representatives assigned are to be given with a fair amount collected from the efforts of residents and other people involved through programs conducted.
Equipment
The only problem of the program is the equipment. General influenza vaccines, anti-viral treatments and other medications are proportioned to the number of residents inside the community. Outreach programs and campaigns need necessary tools to be effective. Also, surveillance activities must be funded in order to push through. With this, our community needs the help of government to fund the program.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
The strengths of the program include personnel and health care professionals that are culturally and professionally competent as they can assess patients of different demographics and populations. There is also a good communication between health care professionals and staff and management training is commendable.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses of the program include health care facilities that are already aging and there is a large number of uninsured residents of the community. In addition, financial resources are not sufficient.
Opportunities
It is a goal of our community to collaborate with different health care organizations to complement our deficits in terms of health care facilities and develop other health care programs that will benefit all residents of the community. There is also a proposed funding for health care informatics. Public involvement is also expected to increase to ensure patient representation and improved patient satisfaction and safety. These opportunities will improve the patients’ access to a safe and high-quality health care.
Threats
Because of the new presidency, certain policies are different from the past years, thereby affecting health care concerns. In addition, there is a growing uninsured population and an increased pressure to reduce costs in the health care field.
Conclusion
Emergence of different diseases is unstoppable despite the number of different treatments and medications available in the market today. However, health care professionals and other volunteers in the medical field are doing their best to create new vaccines that will address and cure the disease that are still widespread affecting all kinds of population over the world. Zika virus, a disease transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquito, is reported to affect people, especially pregnant women. Although the disease is milder than other vector-borne diseases, it can affect infants that can cause them brain abnormalities.
That is why; it is important for local and state communities to create a program that will prevent the emergence of these mosquitoes and benefit all kinds of people. However, it is a challenge for health care professionals and other local and federal community representatives to handle this type of case, as there is still no known treatment or vaccine. In addition to this, signs and symptoms of Zika virus is not easy to detect as these can be mistaken for other mild infections. Health care organizations are doing their best to provide updated guidelines for all kinds of people, particularly pregnant women, infants, and children.
Reference
Armstrong, P., et al. (2016). Travel-associated Zika virus disease cases among U.S. residents – United States, January 2015-February 2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 65, 286-289.
Arzusa-Ortega L, et al. (2016). Fatal Zika virus infection in girl with sickle cell disease, Colombia [letter]. Emerg Infect Dis Retrieved at http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2205.151934
CDC (2016). Zika virus. US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC. Retrieved at: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html.
Huntington, M. K., Allison, J., & Nair, D. (2016). Emerging vector-borne diseases. Am Fam Physician, 94(7), 551-557.
Taylor, J. (2016). Zika virus in the United States. Center for American Progress. Retrieved at https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/24083006/TaylorZika-briefv2.pdf
Walker, W. L., et. al. (2016). Zika virus disease cases – 50 states and the District of Columbia, January 1-July 31, 2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 65(36), 983-986.
