Communicable Diseases

West Nile Virus

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. You are now confronted with addressing a new and virulent contagious disease.

Discuss the approach you would adopt in such a situation.
Follow a step by step process for disaster preparedness.
Use the following resources, use outside resources and your textbook for this discussion:

Suthar, M. S., Diamond, M. S., & Gale Jr, M. (2013). West nile virus infection and immunity. Nature Reviews.Microbiology, 11(2), 115-28. doi:http://dx.doi.org.southuniversity.libproxy.edmc.edu/10.1038/nrmicro2950

Mainali, S., Afshani, M., Wood, J. B., & Levin, M. C. (2011). The natural history of west nile virus infection presenting with west nile virus meningoencephalitis in a man with a prolonged illness: A case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports, 5(1), 204-204. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-5-204

Slattery, C., Syvertson, R., & Krill, S. J. (2009). The eight step training model: Improving disaster management leadership. Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 6(1), 8. doi:10.2202/1547-7355.1403