1 Consider the spread of the following emerging infectious d

1. Consider the spread of the following emerging infectious diseases, using the chain of infection: E. coli O157:H7, Lyme disease, Ebola virus, hantavirus, influenza, tuberculosis, vCJD. For each disease, how can the chain of infection be interrupted?

Solution

E. coli O157:H7- Interruption stratergies to reduce person-to-person transmission ie. secondary transmission by use of widespread public health messages during E.coli O157:H7 strain outbreaks. (approx 5%-11% symptomatic reduction of infection can be achieved)

Lyme disease- Oxidative stress and interrupted intracellular communication may cause mitochondrial dysfunction in the immune cells of lyme disease patients. Vaccination against the tick vector in its host (white-footed mouse) and vaccination of humans provides the desired measure in the prevention of this disease.

Ebola virus- Prevention via soap and water hand washing and alcohol hand gel can both disrupt the lipid membrane of the infectious virus. Other interruptions are patient supplies should be disposable, use of condoms, avoid breast-feeding in covalescent mothers, minimizing use of sharps, labor induced with misoprostol for maternal and fetal survival.

hantavirus- Interruption is induced by seasonality as there is a connection between climate variations and outbreaks of this disease. Anti-viral agent ribavirin in early treatment of hantavirus infections. Similarly treatment in response to the patients symptoms is a measure of supportive care. (hemodialysis, blood pressure medications)

influenza- Physical interruption to reduce spread of the respiratory virus. Hygiene and proper handwashing around younger children is an effective control measure. Global measures, such as screening at the entry ports also delays the spread.

tuberculosis- Transnational services as a preventive measure for people leaving the country as this highly reduces the healthcare costs especially due to the more deadly multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB)

vCJD- Interruption is executed at the level of blood transfusion which is the source of vCJD infection transmission.