You are the director of communicable diseases in a city heal

You are the director of communicable diseases in a city health department, responsible for a large urban community. It is early spring in 2003. For the past two years, your department has been working to control the spread of the West Nile Virus and you are pleased with the progress so far. This morning you read about a suspected outbreak of a new disease called SARS which is suspected to have killed dozens of people in Hong Kong. While West Nile Virus is carried by birds, especially crows, SARS is transmitted among people.

When you get to the office and check your email you learn that the World Health Organization has placed a number of East Asian cities off limits for all but essential travel. You also learn that Canada has reported deaths they believe are due to SARS.

Evaluated ways of addressing a new and virulent contagious disease.

Solution

Effective use of electronic communication for dissemination of information can be helpful in spreading awareness towards the disease.

Disease surveillance techniques and response towards the same should be upgraded. Surveillance data need to be evaluated for providing better treatment facilities. Identification of risk factors should be done and prevention and control strategies should be researched.