C228 Task 2 - Task 2 PDF

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C228 Task 2 Sara Scheiner Western Governor’s University October 8th, 2020

Running International Outbreak Influenza has two main types: Influenza A and Influenza B. These viruses are responsible for seasonal flu and epidemics yearly. They are routinely spread between humans. Also known as the “flu,” this is a respiratory illness targeting the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms include: sore throat, fever, headache, cough, congestion, fatigue and muscle aches. Symptoms vary from mild to severe and can result in death. Description of Outbreak The flu is said to spread by droplets produced by coughing, sneezing or talking. It is not as common, but possible to develop the flu by touching the surface that has the virus on it. There have been three pandemic out breaks of the flu in the 20th century in the years of 1918, 1957 and 1968. In 1918, the flu pandemic infecting one-third of the worlds’ population, nearly 500 million people (World Health Organization, 2020). The 1918 flu pandemic mainly effected the United States of America and France. It spread in waves between April 1918 until February 1919. Another flu outbreak, (H2N2), started in China in 1957 and spread globally and landed on the west coast of the United States in the summer of 1957, costing the lives of nearly 1 million people world-wide. In 1968, H3N2 progressed throughout Asia, Western Europe and in to the west coast of the United States. H3N2 was first noticed in the United States in September of 1968 (CDC, 2019). In spring of 2009, there was an outbreak of H1N1 in Cameron County on the United States and Mexico border in the southern-most tip of Texas, being one of the first places to be impacted by the virus. The virus originated in La Gloria, Veracruz, Mexico. By April 24th, 2009, there were a total of 26 documented cases and on April 29th, 2009 an infant became the first death from H1N1 in the United states. Cameron County quickly became the new epicenter for H1N1 outbreak (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2010).

Running Epidemiological Determinants, Risk Factors and Route of Transmission Influenza is caused by two viruses, Influenza A and Influenza B. The viruses are then subclassified through serologic and genetic testing (CDC, 2019). The influenza viruses constantly go through genetic changes which therefore leads to mutations with new virus variants. Risk factors for contracting the flu include, being over the age of 65, children, asthma, heart disease, history of stroke, diabetes, immunocompromised, and racial/ethnic groups. Chronic health conditions increase the patient’s susceptibility for contracting the flu as well as complications. Influenza can also lead to pneumonia in those with acute respiratory diseases. A CDC analysis shows that Non-Hispanic Black persons had the highest rate of flu-related hospitalizations (CDC, 2020). The flu vaccination is the best way to prevent from contracting the flu, but the vaccinations rates in minority racial and ethnic groups are substantially lower than those of Non-Hispanic White descents. Route of transmission of the Influenza virus is via droplet particles. You can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing and talking. The virus can also be spread by touching surfaces and then touching your ears, eyes, nose or mouth. The best prevention is to get the flu vaccine and wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 15 to 20 seconds. Impact in My Community at a Systemic Level The influenza virus affects all communities world-wide, yearly. Living in Florida, my community has a major elderly population. According to the Florida Department of Health, there were 18 influenza outbreaks in February of 2020 with four severe outcomes and 16.9% being in nursing facilities and long term care facilities (Florida Department of Health, 2020). Due to Florida’s location and being a vacation spot, it is particularly at higher vulnerability to the

Running influenza virus. It is estimated that almost if 10 million persons were to be infected in the state of Florida, 5 million would develop chronic illnesses secondary to influenza and up to 18,000 deaths. Two Strategies to Prevent Outbreak in My Community Seeing as I live in a heavily populated state, an outbreak could be an extremely real concern. The first step is prevention. Prevention is key at preventing any outbreak. Flu vaccines are free in most retail pharmacies. The flu vaccine is the number one way to prevent getting and spreading the flu. The vaccine is not perfect and does not completely eliminate your chances on contracting the virus but it prevents you from contracting the deadlier strains. Another strategy to be used is staying home if you are sick or had known contact with someone who is sick. Patients need to be educated on hand and personal hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Wear a mask if you need to go out in public. An example would be how they have hand hygiene signs at every store front these days due to COVID19, the same thought process can be used to prevent the spread of the flu. The process for reporting flu cases in Orange County consists of reporting laboratory confirmed cases of ages 0-64 years in the ICU or have died or novel strains of influenza or cases associated with an outbreak. These cases are to be reported immediately to OCHCA epidemiology by phone. Healthcare providers, hospitals and laboratories must submit additional reports and specimens as part of influenza screenings for novel strains (OC Health Care Agency Public Health, 2019).

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References CDC. (2019). 1968 Pandemic. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemicresources/1968-pandemic.html CDC. (2019). Influenza Viruses and Vaccine Composition. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/background-epidemiology.htm CDC. (2020). Flu Disparities Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/disparities-racial-ethnic-minority-groups.html Florida Department of Health. (2020). Florida Flu Review. Retrieved from http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/_documents/2020-w8flu-review.pdf Influenza: are we ready? (2020). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/newsroom/spotlight/influenza-are-we-ready Key Facts About Influenza. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm World Health Organization. (2020). Influenza: are we ready? Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/influenza-are-we-ready National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2010). Response to H1N1 in a U.S.-Mexico Border Community. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2982707/ OC Health Care Agency Public Health. (2019). Influenza. Retrieved from https://www.ochealthinfo.com/gov/health/phs/about/dcepi/epi/azdiseases/influenza/

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