Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): Epidemiology Essay

Communicable Disease: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

The global prevalence of various infectious diseases has increased dramatically. Consequently, global health policies have been introduced to reduce rates of communicable diseases worldwide. Currently, substantial reductions in rates of these illnesses and related deaths have been reported among children aged 5 years and below. Nonetheless, the burden of infectious diseases in children aged five and above, adolescents, and adults remains a significant public health concern. Therefore, current health policies and programs should align with recommended interventions to address this public health concern. While communicable diseases differ significantly, this paper focuses on EVD.

Overview and Mode of Transmission of EVD

EVD or Ebola is a severe or rare communicable illness affecting humans and other primates. It is caused by the filovirus family comprising three genera: Marburgvirus, Cuevavirus, and Ebolavirus (Emperador et al., 2019). This disease is often fatal. However, some Ebola types are preventable via vaccines, while others are treated with medicines. Ebola’s first two simultaneous outbreaks were reported in 1976 (LaBrunda & Amin, 2020). One incident occurred in Nzara, South Sudan, while the second was reported in Yambuku, DRC (LaBrunda & Amin, 2020). The second outbreak occurred in the Ebola River surroundings, hence the name “Ebola” (LaBrunda & Amin, 2020). No Ebola outbreaks were detected from 1979 to 1994 (LaBrunda & Amin, 2020). Nonetheless, EVD outbreaks with increasing frequency have been experienced since 1994 (LaBrunda & Amin, 2020).

The Ebola virus is transmitted to humans via direct contact with the organs, blood, or other bodily fluids of an animal infected with the virus. Several Ebola cases have been reported among persons handling dead and alive infected gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest antelopes (Jacob et al., 2020). Additionally, the Ebola virus is transmitted from one person to another. In this case, an individual contracts the Ebola virus via direct contact with an infected person’s organs, blood, or other bodily fluids, such as urine, semen, or saliva (Jacob et al., 2020). Moreover, one can contract the Ebola virus by directly contracting infected objects, including clothing soiled with infectious secretions or needles. Lastly, direct contact with an infected person’s body during burial practices contributes to the transmission of the Ebola virus. At an early stage, the most significant symptoms of Enola are fever, sore throat, fatigue, and headache.

Ebola affects all persons across the lifespan. Nonetheless, the risk is significant in some demographics. For instance, the risk of dying from Ebola is lower in children and young adults than in adults (Robert et al., 2019). However, the risk of contracting Ebola is relatively low in the general population. The risk increases upon visiting regions where Ebola outbreaks have been reported in the past, especially in West African countries (Robert et al., 2019). Ebola is one of the reportable communicable diseases. For instance, the first EVD outbreak in West Africa was reported in 2014 (Robert et al., 2019). An intense transmission of Ebola was reported in urban areas from 2014 to 2016, resulting in 28,000 Ebola-positive cases (Robert et al., 2019). Additionally, imported Ebola cases attributed to this outbreak were reported in various countries, including Mali, Italy, Nigeria, Spain, Senegal, the US, and the UK (Robert et al., 2019).

Applying the Epidemiologic Triangle to the Ebola

The epidemiologic triangle is commonly used to analyze communicable diseases in terms of the host, agent, and environmental factors. The agent is the specific cause of a communicable disease, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. The agent for Ebola belongs to the virus family Filoviridae. In humans, Ebola is caused by four species: Zaire, Taï Forest, Sudan, and Bundibugyo (Emperador et al., 2019). Secondly, the cost consists of organisms that are exposed to the disease, including humans or animals. The host can be an animal carrier or a person who gets sick. Hosts for Ebola include humans and other primates, such as chimpanzees and gorillas (Emperador et al., 2019). Lastly, environmental factors are external conditions and the host’s favorable surroundings that allow the transmission of a specific disease. Examples of these factors are dirty water or human blood. Environmental factors for Ebola are droughts and seasons. Therefore, Ebola outbreaks are common during specific seasons.

Community Health Nurses (CHNs) Role in Ebola Prevention

CHNs play a significant role in preventing communicable diseases, including Ebola. First, these nurses curb Ebola via primary preventive measures. Primary prevention targets reducing the possibility of the occurrence of an injury or a disease. CHNs prevent Ebola at this stage by educating the community about unhealthy or unsafe behaviors that might expose them to Ebola, such as consuming some animals, including chimpanzees or gorillas. Moreover, CHNs curb Ebola via secondary preventive measures. These nurses focus on reducing the effect of disease on the community during the Ebola outbreak. They conduct several activities, including case finding, data collection, analysis, reporting, and contact tracing to minimize the number of individuals contracting the Ebola virus during an outbreak. They also ensure that infected persons receive immediate treatment to curb the spread of the virus. Lastly, CHNs engage in tertiary preventive measures during the Ebola outbreak. In this stage of disease prevention, CHNs help individuals manage the long-term effects of Ebola, including persistent headaches, pelvic pain, gastritis, eye problems, and joint pain (Diallo et al., 2021) Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Epidemiology Essay.

A National Patient Safety Resource that Addresses Ebola

The CDC has guided the handling of Ebola patients’ human remains in U. S. hospitals and mortuaries safely. Persons can contract Ebola via direct physical contact with the bodies of individuals who died of Ebola (Robert et al., 2019). As a result, healthcare providers handling Ebola patients and bodies of people who died of Ebola are at a high risk of contracting the disease. Thus, CDC safe guidelines have significantly reduced the risk of contracting Ebola among frontline healthcare staff at the point of care.

The Global Implication of Ebola

Ebola is associated with high mortality and a significant economic burden. In particular, Ebola has affected the economic status of African countries where several EVD-positive cases and deaths were reported during different pandemics. Additionally, EVD spread to the neighboring countries with limited resources, jeopardizing their health system due to significant financial burden impacted on their economy. Ebola is addressed differently in various countries or cultural groups due to several factors. For instance, Sierra Leone’s high poverty burden, weak health care systems, poor governance systems, and strongly held cultural and traditional beliefs have compounded the increase in the spread of EVD (Abdul‐Rahman et al., 2023). high cases of Ebola and related deaths might depict a public health emergency. Consequently, more medical supplies should be availed to allow frontline healthcare staff to deal with persons affected with Ebola without risking their health.

Overall, EVD is a communicable disease with the most positive Ebola cases and high mortality rates reported in West African countries. This disease is mainly transmitted via direct contact with infected animals or persons. CHNs engage in various activities, including community education and contact tracing, to curb the spread of Ebola. In the US, the CDC has played a significant role in fighting EVD by providing healthcare providers with guidelines for safely handling infected persons’ bodies to avoid contracting the virus. In some African countries, such as Sierra Leone, several factors, particularly weak health care systems and poverty, contribute to the rapid spread of Ebola during outbreaks.

References

Abdul‐Rahman, T., Lawal, L., Meale, E., Ajetunmobi, O. A., Toluwalashe, S., Alao, U. H., … & Sikora, K. (2023). Inequitable access to Ebola vaccines and the resurgence of Ebola in Africa: A state of arts review. Journal of Medical Virology , 95 (8), e28986. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.28986

Diallo, M. S. K., Toure, A., Sow, M. S., Kpamou, C., Keita, A. K., Taverne, B., … & Delaporte, E. (2021). Understanding long-term evolution and predictors of sequelae of Ebola virus disease survivors in Guinea: a 48-month prospective, longitudinal cohort study (PostEboGui). Clinical Infectious Diseases , 73 (12), 2166-2174. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab168

Emperador, D. M., Mazzola, L. T., Trainor, B. W., Chua, A., & Kelly-Cirino, C. (2019). Diagnostics for filovirus detection: impact of recent outbreaks on the diagnostic landscape. BMJ global health , 4 (Suppl 2), e001112. https://gh.bmj.com/content/4/suppl_2/e001112.abstract

Jacob, S. T., Crozier, I., Fischer, W. A., Hewlett, A., Kraft, C. S., Vega, M. A. D. L., … & Kuhn, J. H. (2020). Ebola virus disease. Nature Reviews Disease Primers , 6 (1), 13. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-020-0147-3

LaBrunda, M., & Amin, N. (2020). The emerging threat of Ebola. Global Health Security: Recognizing Vulnerabilities, Creating Opportunities , 103-139. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-23491-1_6

Robert, A., Edmunds, W. J., Watson, C. H., Henao-Restrepo, A. M., Gsell, P. S., Williamson, E., … & Eggo, R. M. (2019). Determinants of transmission risk during the late stage of the West African Ebola epidemic. American Journal of Epidemiology , 188 (7), 1319-1327. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwz090

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Epidemiology Essay

The purpose of this assignment is to discuss concepts of epidemiology and apply nursing theories and research to a communicable disease. Refer to “Communicable Disease Chain,” “Chain of Infection,” and the CDC websites, all located in the topic Resources, for assistance when completing this assignment.

Choose a communicable disease topic from the resources mentioned above or select one from the list below:

Chickenpox

Tuberculosis

Influenza

Hepatitis B

HIV/AIDS

STIs (HPV, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis)

Ebola

Measles

Polio

Foodborne illnesses (E. coli, salmonella, listeria, hepatitis A)

Hepatitis C

SARS-CoV-2

Monkeypox

Dengue

Botulism

Norovirus

CA-MRSA

In a 1,000-1,250-word paper, apply the concepts of epidemiology and nursing to research a communicable disease. Address the following:

Provide an overview of the chosen communicable disease with emphasis on mode of transmission and demographic of interest, including whether or not the disease selected is reportable.

Apply the epidemiologic triangle as it relates to the communicable disease selected. Include the host factors, agent factors (presence or absence), and environmental factors.

Describe the role of the community health nurse in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention through tasks such as case finding and contact tracing, reporting, data collection, analysis, and follow-up.

Identify at least one national patient safety resource or initiative that addresses the communicable disease chosen and describe how the resource or initiative contribute to resolving or reducing the impact of disease at the point of care.

Discuss a global implication of the disease. How is this addressed in other countries or cultures? Identify changes in conditions that might indicate a public health emergency related to this communicable disease.

Cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed or professional references (e.g., professional health organizations like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], World Health Organization [WHO], Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS]).

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Epidemiology Essay assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Course Resources if you need assistance.