West Nile Virus Diseases - Assignment Example

West Nile Virus West Nile Virus According to the epidemiological data, a total of 379 cases of West Nile Virus were detected in my state. Of these 379 cases, 237 were neuroinvasive and the rest were not neuroinvasive, 15 deaths were reported of these 379 cases. West Nile virus is caused by an arbovirus from the flavivirus genus. The virus is a zoonotic virus and usually found in tropical and temperate regions. A major vector of this virus is mosquito. Other minor vectors were being identified which included ticks but they were ruled out as being minors.

Mosquitos being the major vectors affects birds primarily and makes them the primary hosts for this virus.A descriptive study would help one gather data more efficiently since it includes collection of data, occurrence of a disease, its characteristics, number of people affected and their signs & symptoms more accurately. Also, a descriptive study helps a scientist collect data more efficiently when they decide to find out the prevalence of disease in a particular group of people. West Nile Virus starts with fever and might lead to neurological symptoms.

Neurological involvement may lead to disabilities and permanent damage to the affected individuals. Also, this disease has caused a certain number of deaths in the USA and its different States which makes it rather important for the government to handle. Educating the people of my state would be the first step in order to control the rate of this disease. Education involves letting the people know about the signs and symptoms of the disease. Letting them know when to contact their local health authorities if they suspect a disease.

Also, pest control and educating the people about controlling mosquitos in their homes and use mosquito repellants is necessary since mosquitos are the prime vectors of this disease. The control of this disease on the level of a community can be done only by raising awareness in the people about this disease and its causative factors as well as how the transmission can be controlled. Also, screening the blood of donors in endemic zones should be made necessary to control the disease. The disease in the form of an epidemic can be devastating in a community whereas an endemic disease can be harmful to families too.

If the disease progresses to its neuroinvasive stage, it can lead to disabilities and cause stress as well as financial troubles in families. Also, death of a certain family member can be devastating too. Apart from CDC, Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology and Lab services, Office of Infectious Diseases, National Center for Health Services and National Center for AIDS, Hepatitis and TB prevention would be helpful in collecting data and preventing this disease. Reading the website provided me with useful information related to West Nile Virus.

I got to know about the current prevalence of this disease and also the initial signs and symptoms as well as what this disease could cause in its progressive stages. The website was helpful in creating a plan of action to decrease its prevalence by educating the community, creating awareness and letting the people know about the disease. References:McKenzie, J., & Pinger, R. (2014). An introduction to community health (8th ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett.Kreuter, M. W. (1998). Community health promotion ideas that work: A field-book for practitioners.

Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.Krieger, N. (2011). Epidemiology and the peoples health: Theory and context. New York: Oxford University Press.Issel, L. M. (2014). Health program planning and evaluation: A practical, systematic approach for community health. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.