H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 12: Diseases and Infection
Assignment 12B: Examine the transmission of infectious
diseases and how this can be prevented
Introduction
In this report, the management of the disease poliomyelitis will be researched
and evaluated, looking at how international organisations work to control the
spread of poliomyelitis. A case study will be produced on organisations involved
with preventing the spread of poliomyelitis.
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus that targets
the nervous system (1).
This disease most commonly affects children under the age of 5 (1). 1 in 200
polio infections will result in permanent paralysis according to the World Health
Organization (WHO) (1).
This disease can be transmitted by direct human-to-human contact and initial
symptoms involve fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck and
pain in the limbs (2).
There is no known cure for poliomyelitis, however, it can be prevented by taking
the polio vaccine. This vaccine is safe and effective to take, and many countries
have been successful in eradicating this disease (2).
Organisations including World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine
Alliance, CDC, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched the
Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)- a resolution for the worldwide
eradication of polio (2). Since launching the GPEI, polio has been reduced
worldwide by 99% and the world is almost able to mark a milestone as the
eradication of human disease can occur for only the second time in history after
eradicating smallpox in 1980 (2).
World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization has taken effective action against limiting the
spread of poliomyelitis by partnering with international organisations to
eradicate poliomyelitis, forming the GPEI.
WHO continuously supports countries affected by poliomyelitis by implementing
in-depth eradication strategies that focus on immunising and disease
surveillance (3). They develop guidelines and train partners and the government
so that in the event of an outbreak, everybody knows how to take effective
action. In addition to this, the production of vaccines was assisted by WHO by
expanding globally, developing capacity in countries such as India and Indonesia
(4). Moreover, in 1995, mass vaccination campaigns occurred in China and India
(4).
1
, H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 12: Diseases and Infection
Disease surveillance enables WHO to work fast and when a child becomes
paralysed by polio in any country, WHO responds by taking action to stop the
virus. This action includes gathering information initially then mass vaccination
takes place within 14 days. In every affected area, detailed maps are made of
the whereabouts of every single child that needs to be vaccinated. WHO works
with UNICEF to transport vaccines into the country and ensure communities are
informed of the importance of vaccination campaigns. Every vaccine vial needs
to be transported at a carefully maintained temperature and once they arrive,
vaccinators step up to vaccinate unvaccinated children. When vaccination
campaigns are carried out, surveillance is strengthened to ensure WHO is aware
of where every virus is. In the laboratory, genetic sequencing of every virus is
refined, gathering data to understand the patterns of the outbreak, this ensures
WHO’s response is one step ahead. For the virus to be stopped, at least 3
vaccination rounds are carried out and every vaccination campaign is monitored
to find improvements for future campaigns. Every 3 months, experts come
together to assess how close the country/countries is to ending the outbreak.
The strong surveillance system and ensuring enough children are vaccinated
allows for the outbreak to be declared closed. Once the country has seen 6-12
months without finding a polio virus, they are also able to declare the outbreak
to be closed. Due to the vaccination campaigns, more than 400 million children
are immunised against polio each year. This rapid WHO response is dependent
on the network of people involving governments from community leaders to
vaccinators.
It can be difficult reaching remote areas to vaccinate children who are not
immunised against polio, increasing the risk of these children developing polio.
Moreover, to be fully immunised against polio, 3 doses of vaccines must be
administered. This can make it hard to comply with as children may experience
side effects from each dose which can affect whether they will get fully
immunised.
The strategies and methods carried out by WHO to prevent the spread of
poliomyelitis are significant as they prevent the number of poliomyelitis cases
that can arise from a single case. The strengths of these methods and strategies
include the following:
- Detailed maps of the whereabouts of unvaccinated children provide
quantitative valuable insight into how quickly polio can travel
- Communication with UNICEF improves the overall response rate as
organisations work together efficiently to limit the spread of disease
- The gathering of data helps quickly understand the severity of the
outbreak of polio, enabling organisations to act quickly
- The strong surveillance system provides immediate records of diseases
that arise within countries, allowing for quick response
- Mass vaccination within 14 days enables action to be taken very quickly,
limiting the spread of diseases to other countries
2
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 12: Diseases and Infection
Assignment 12B: Examine the transmission of infectious
diseases and how this can be prevented
Introduction
In this report, the management of the disease poliomyelitis will be researched
and evaluated, looking at how international organisations work to control the
spread of poliomyelitis. A case study will be produced on organisations involved
with preventing the spread of poliomyelitis.
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus that targets
the nervous system (1).
This disease most commonly affects children under the age of 5 (1). 1 in 200
polio infections will result in permanent paralysis according to the World Health
Organization (WHO) (1).
This disease can be transmitted by direct human-to-human contact and initial
symptoms involve fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck and
pain in the limbs (2).
There is no known cure for poliomyelitis, however, it can be prevented by taking
the polio vaccine. This vaccine is safe and effective to take, and many countries
have been successful in eradicating this disease (2).
Organisations including World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine
Alliance, CDC, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched the
Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)- a resolution for the worldwide
eradication of polio (2). Since launching the GPEI, polio has been reduced
worldwide by 99% and the world is almost able to mark a milestone as the
eradication of human disease can occur for only the second time in history after
eradicating smallpox in 1980 (2).
World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization has taken effective action against limiting the
spread of poliomyelitis by partnering with international organisations to
eradicate poliomyelitis, forming the GPEI.
WHO continuously supports countries affected by poliomyelitis by implementing
in-depth eradication strategies that focus on immunising and disease
surveillance (3). They develop guidelines and train partners and the government
so that in the event of an outbreak, everybody knows how to take effective
action. In addition to this, the production of vaccines was assisted by WHO by
expanding globally, developing capacity in countries such as India and Indonesia
(4). Moreover, in 1995, mass vaccination campaigns occurred in China and India
(4).
1
, H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 12: Diseases and Infection
Disease surveillance enables WHO to work fast and when a child becomes
paralysed by polio in any country, WHO responds by taking action to stop the
virus. This action includes gathering information initially then mass vaccination
takes place within 14 days. In every affected area, detailed maps are made of
the whereabouts of every single child that needs to be vaccinated. WHO works
with UNICEF to transport vaccines into the country and ensure communities are
informed of the importance of vaccination campaigns. Every vaccine vial needs
to be transported at a carefully maintained temperature and once they arrive,
vaccinators step up to vaccinate unvaccinated children. When vaccination
campaigns are carried out, surveillance is strengthened to ensure WHO is aware
of where every virus is. In the laboratory, genetic sequencing of every virus is
refined, gathering data to understand the patterns of the outbreak, this ensures
WHO’s response is one step ahead. For the virus to be stopped, at least 3
vaccination rounds are carried out and every vaccination campaign is monitored
to find improvements for future campaigns. Every 3 months, experts come
together to assess how close the country/countries is to ending the outbreak.
The strong surveillance system and ensuring enough children are vaccinated
allows for the outbreak to be declared closed. Once the country has seen 6-12
months without finding a polio virus, they are also able to declare the outbreak
to be closed. Due to the vaccination campaigns, more than 400 million children
are immunised against polio each year. This rapid WHO response is dependent
on the network of people involving governments from community leaders to
vaccinators.
It can be difficult reaching remote areas to vaccinate children who are not
immunised against polio, increasing the risk of these children developing polio.
Moreover, to be fully immunised against polio, 3 doses of vaccines must be
administered. This can make it hard to comply with as children may experience
side effects from each dose which can affect whether they will get fully
immunised.
The strategies and methods carried out by WHO to prevent the spread of
poliomyelitis are significant as they prevent the number of poliomyelitis cases
that can arise from a single case. The strengths of these methods and strategies
include the following:
- Detailed maps of the whereabouts of unvaccinated children provide
quantitative valuable insight into how quickly polio can travel
- Communication with UNICEF improves the overall response rate as
organisations work together efficiently to limit the spread of disease
- The gathering of data helps quickly understand the severity of the
outbreak of polio, enabling organisations to act quickly
- The strong surveillance system provides immediate records of diseases
that arise within countries, allowing for quick response
- Mass vaccination within 14 days enables action to be taken very quickly,
limiting the spread of diseases to other countries
2
