A Childhood Disease: Measles - Essay Example

In investigating measles, epidemiologists embark on various strategic steps that enable them to get information. The first step involves preparation for fieldwork which entails getting the right tools, information, support staff, and personal arrangements. Information on measles can be obtained from past research on measles (Bystrianyk & Humphries 2013). Additionally, the epidemiologist should delegate roles and responsibilities at this stage of investigations. The second step should be a verification that the suspected disease exists.

Besides, they ought to establish whether there is an outbreak. Before one decides whether there is an outbreak, they have to determine the number of cases that are expected from an area within a given period. In determining the number of measles cases, for example, one can use the health department surveillance records. The records help determine whether there is an epidemic. Finally, it is important to do a prior investigation before the actual investigation. For instance, one can visit some of the children suffering from measles and try to get useful information on the condition.

Furthermore, once the data has been collected a measles outbreak should be characterized by place, time, and person. This technique is called descriptive epidemiology because it deals with a description of what has occurred in the population being studied. This description allows one to evaluate the outbreak of what is recognized about the disease and develop a causal hypothesis. These hypotheses can be tested using analytic epidemiology technology. Analytic epidemiology has two components, the cohort, and the case-control studies.

They help in developing the null and the alternative hypotheses. These hypotheses are later refined after carrying out the additional epidemiological studies (Bystrianyk & Humphries 2013). The hypothesis is then used in developing and implementing control measures. Finally, the findings should be presented to bodies such as the government and health authorities, in the form of written reports and an oral briefing. The investigator’s oral briefing should be dealt with by local people and authorities responsible for implementing control measures.

A written report, on the other hand, should follow the scientific format of background, introduction, methods, results, recommendations, and discussion. This report presents a blueprint for action that is likely to be more effective.Evaluate from a cost perspective, your states stand on the particular childhood disease you researched and recommend at least five (5) steps to optimize on the present planMeasles has been considered one of the most life-threatening diseases in the world since it is responsible for a significant number of deaths and disability among young children.

Anyone can be affected by measles and the only to stay safe is by ensuring one is a vaccine against it. Cases of measles infection have over the past two years been increasing in some countries. For instance, in the US, there were 54 cases in 2012, 189 cases in 2013, and in the current year, 112 cases have been reported so far (Center for Disease Control 2013). Among the 112 confirmed cases, 56 were confirmed to be in North Carolina alone. This rise calls for the need to strategize the measles intervention methods within the state.