SARS Outbreak Analysis in February

SARS Outbreak Analysis

In February 2003, an outbreak occurred in Southeast Asia that would have a dramatic impact upon public health organizations around the world and it raised concerns about a possible pandemic. What happened was Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) began to surface in Southeast Asia and it would spread to more than a dozen counties in: Europe, North America, South America and Asia. Once the virus was finally contained in mid-2003, a total 8,098 people became ill. Out of this number, the disease had 774 victims that died directly from its effects. ("Basic Information about SARS," 2005) on the surface, it appeared as if everything is fine with no reoccurrence in symptoms taking place. However, those individuals who have survived the virus reported other lingering effects to include: depression and arthritis. ("The Tragic After Effects of SARS," 2009) This is important because, it shows how the disease is continuing have an impact on the lives of many of its victims. To fully understand what is taking place requires: analyzing the outbreak of the disease and the correct procedures for reporting a possible pandemic. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights as to how the disease was able to spread and what are its lasting effects.

Analyze the SARS disease outbreak

Describe the SARS outbreak.

What makes SARS so difficult to identify is that it has symptoms that are fairly close to: the flu or the common cold. These include: a high fever, headaches, diarrhea, dry cough and body aches. Once these different symptoms have a chance to spread, is the point that the disease will help to bring on pneumonia. This is when it is apparent to many untrained health care professionals, that this is something more than: the flu or the cold. ("Basic Information about SARS," 2005)

During the incubation period, is when the infected person can spread the disease when they cough. as, each droplet can affect anyone, who is within a 3 feet radius of an infected individual. This can occur, with: the other person breathing in the virus. It could enter the body through: the eyes, mouth, nose or skin. These different elements are important, because they are highlighting how the disease was able to spread from one person to the next. ("Basic Information about SARS," 2005)

Describe the epidemiological indicators associated with SARS.

The SARS virus is subdivided into two main periods to include: incubation and infection. The incubation period is when the person has been exposed to the disease but, they are not fully aware that they have it. During this time, is when the symptoms will appear similar to: the flu and the person is capable of infecting those around them. This stage usually last for a period of 4 to 6 days. However, there have been cases where the incubation period can be as short as 1 day to as long as 7 days. ("Consensus Document," 2003)

Once this condition has become more severe, is the point that person will be infected by the virus. This is when those who are severely ill; can infect others around them that are not exposed or are in the early incubation period. During this phase, the condition of the patient will become worse until day 10. This is when, they will see a rapid deterioration in their health or they will begin to gradually improve. These different factors are important, because they are showing how disease will steadily become worse in day 10. This is where it will be obvious, as to if the patient will begin to make some kind of recovery. ("Consensus Document," 2003)

Analyze the epidemiological data on the outbreak.

When you analyze the above information, it is clear that SARS will be difficult to detect until days 4 to 6. This is when someone will: become infected and their condition will deteriorate until day 10. It is at this point, that they will begin to: see a decline in their health or they will slowly recover. This is illustrating, how all health care professionals must be vigilant and isolate those individuals who are exposed to SARS. as, this can make it: challenging in controlling the disease. This is based on the fact that anyone within a 3 feet radius can be infected, which makes it easier to transmit the disease to others who are in close proximity. ("Consensus Document," 2003)

Discuss the route of transmission of the disease causing the outbreak.

The easiest way that the disease can be passed is: by having someone who was exposed to these symptoms interacting with the general public. This is when an infected person could easily spread the disease from one person to the next. as, their coughing and flu like symptoms will cause no one take notice of these effects. This makes it more likely that they will expose others during the incubation period. For example, someone who could have been exposed can spread the disease to: their coworkers and family (who are around them when they cough). These people will begin to: experience similar flu like symptoms and will spread them to their friends as well as associates. Once the person who was exposed becomes infected, is the point that health officials will be concerned about a possible outbreak. as, the disease had several days to: spread and infect large segments of the population. In this aspect, the transmission of the virus will take place if one person (who is exposed) is allowed to interact with the general public during the initial 4 to 6 days after this occurs.

Create a graphic representation of the outbreak's international pattern of movement or possible movement

The outbreak of SARS was first reported in February 2003. This is when a Chinese doctor visiting Hong Kong became ill from the disease and died. He subsequently infected everyone that was around him in the hotel. ("The Ominous March of a Virus," 2004) These people spread the disease to others that they came in contact with. What helped to fuel the number of cases was: the easy access that everyone had to air travel. This allowed someone, who was infected, to go to other regions of the world. Once this occurred, it means that the total number of cases began to multiply. The below diagram illustrates how the disease was spread from one country to the next.

The Movement of SARS

China ("The Global March of SARS," 2004)

Hong Kong

Vietnam

Thailand

Malaysia

Australia

United States

EU

Canada

Brazil

Discuss how the outbreak could affect the Las Vegas, NV community.

The way that outbreak could affect Las Vegas, Nevada; is at many of the different public venues. These include: hotels, casinos, restaurants, clubs, resorts and a host of events. This is because the disease would allow large numbers of people to become infected (due to the close proximity of individuals interacting with one another during the different activities). At the same time, various hotels workers will become infected, who will spread the disease to their families and friends. Over the course of approximately two weeks, this would create the kind of conditions for a major outbreak to occur inside the city. This will have: a negative impact on tourism and it will cause economic activity in Las Vegas to come to a halt.