Burden of Infectious Disease in Public Health

Burden of Infectious Disease

Infectious diseases have continued to be some of the biggest public health concerns across the globe, which has contributed to increased attention from various stakeholders, especially the health sector. The public health burden of infectious diseases across the world is influenced by the increased global deaths of individuals suffering from them. In light of these factors, infectious diseases have attracted considerable attention from new agencies and personnel. Actually, there are several news items published daily that relate to infectious diseases such as updates on the incidence and prevalence of these diseases, newly emerging infectious diseases or those relating to scientific breakthroughs and disease outbreaks. An example of a news item on infectious disease is an article on the outbreak of measles that sparked national debate.

Measles is one of the vaccine-preventable diseases that have attracted considerable attention in the recent past because of its increase spread. This infectious disease is caused by measles virus, which is responsible for a childhood infection that incorporates dry cough, photophobia, maculopapular rash, conjunctivitis, and coryza (Rima & Duprex, 2011). The infection is usually characterized by considerable morbidity since it kills over 200,000 children annually despite being vaccine preventable. Measles virus is part of morbiliviruses that are closely linked to a group of significant animal and human pathogens. The persistence of these viruses in certain form is a probable method through which life-long immunity is granted on an infected person (Barrett, 1987, p.25).

Measles outbreak in various parts of the United States generated a national debate over vaccinations for this disease (Jenkins, 2015). The national debate was fueled by the increased spread of the disease in various parts of the United States and was centered on whether patients should have the ability to opt out or not. Presidential candidates for 2016 elections also added their opinion on the choice that every parent encounters with regards to measles' vaccination. Jenkins (2015) state that medical professionals and parents in the United States are increasingly alert as the disease's virus continues to spread around the country. Since the protection for the disease is immunization, physicians have recommended the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in which the first shot should be given within the first 15 months and the second shot between 4 and 6 years. While Arkansas is yet to experience an outbreak of the disease, parents have three exclusion alternative i.e. clinical, philosophical, and religious purposes. However, philosophical exemptions have increasingly been used in Arkansas since the legislation was enacted in 2003. The article concludes by stating that it is important to ensure kids are vaccinated from being affected with the disease though it's still their choice.