An Influenza Outbreak - Swine Flu in the Town of Cockatoo Rest - Case Study Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : xxxxxxxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2013 An Influenza Outbreak Introduction An influenza pandemic burden could overwhelm the health system of a nation (Lautenbach et al, 2010). Additionally, influenza pandemic has the ability to cause societal and economic interruption on a very big scale. With regards to these reasons, every nation is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prepare and put into practice national preparedness arrangements for influenza pandemic. The next occurrence of influenza pandemic is not certain but the WHO argues that this pandemic may occur sooner or later. 2 or 3 influenza pandemics have actually been recorded each century in present history. Once countries including Australia get prepared, there will be a dramatic reduction in an influenza pandemic’s impact by reducing the number of individuals who are infected, protecting essential services and critical infrastructure within the society and significantly improving the outcomes of health for the affected individuals (Ryan, 2009). This paper will discuss various issues with regards to influenza pandemic in town of cockatoo rest. Pandemic According to the WHO (2013), a pandemic is considered a new disease’s worldwide spread. A pandemic of influenza takes place once a new virus of influenza appears and spreads all over the world, and a lot of people lack the immunity. It is argued that viruses that have brought about pandemics basically came from influenza viruses in animals. Some influenza pandemics’ aspects can appear related to seasonal influenza whereas other features might be fairly different. For instance, both pandemic and seasonal influenza can bring about infections in every age group, and majority of the cases will lead to self-limited illness whereby an individual will recover fully with no treatment (World Health Organization, 2013). By contrast, H1N1 pandemic brought about the majority of its fatal or severe illness in younger individuals, both those who have chronic conditions and healthy persons also, and caused a lot more viral pneumonia cases than is usually observed with seasonal influenza (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013). For both pandemic and seasonal influenza, the whole number if individuals who become severely sick can differ. However, the severity or impact appears to be greater in pandemics partly due to the much greater number of individuals within the populace who do not have pre-existing immunity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013). Influenza Transmission In humans, influenza virus can be transmitted in 3 methods: 1) through direct physical contact with infected people; 2) through contact with objects that are contaminated (referred to as fomites, like doorknobs, toys); and 3) through inhalation of aerosols that are virus-laden (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Each mode’s contribution to overall influenza transmission is not clear. However, recommendations of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to control transmission of influenza virus in settings of health care entail measures that reduce spread through fomite and aerosol mechanisms. Respiratory transmission relies on the aerosols’ production that entails virus particles. Singing, normal breathing, and speaking all generate aerosols, whereas sneezing and coughing result in a more powerful expulsion (Stern & Markel, 2004). Droplet nuclei and droplets’ inhalation puts a virus within the upper respiratory tract, thus initiating an infection. The weight of aerosol transmission has been demonstrated through influenza outbreak aboard an airplane that is commercial during the close of 1970s. Carrying 54 passengers, the plane had a three hours’ delay on the ground, the moment which the system of ventilation was dysfunctional (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Several of the passengers remained aboard. In a period of 72 hours, around 75 percent of the travelers developed influenza. The infection’s source was a particular individual who was aboard the plane with influenza (Van-Tam et al, 2013). According to Stern & Markel (2004) nasal secretions containing virus particles are basically accountable for transmission through contaminated or through direct contact objects. Infected individuals will regularly touch their conjunctiva or nose; hence the virus is put on the hand. Non-intimate (such as shaking hands) or intimate contact will transmit the virus to the other individual, who will thereafter infect himself or herself by touching his or her eyes or nose. The virus gets transferred to other objects once they get touched by contaminated hands. In one research, 23-59 percent of objects that come from facilities of day care as well as homes were indicated to harbor viral RNA influenza (Stern & Markel, 2004). Strategies used by health professionals in the event of an influenza pandemic Personal protective devices Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is very important during an influenza pandemic (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Staffs that have close contact with persons who are symptomatic ill people need to use PPE to prevent contact with potentially infected sprays (from coughing, sneezing, or talking) from contacting their mouth or nose. Surgical masks will offer such barrier shield. Using a respirator might be considered in case there is a probability of direct contact with people who are symptomatically infected with influenza or if the health employer chooses to offer protection against the possibility of airborne transfer. It is important to note that donning a respirator might be physically troublesome to staff, especially when PPE use is not a regular practice for the task (Van-Tam et al, 2013). In the occurrence of surgical masks’ shortage, reusable face protector that may possibly be decontaminated might be a recommended means of safeguarding against an infectious disease through droplet transmission but cannot protect against airborne transfer, to the degree that disease might spread within that manner (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Eye protection basically is not considered in influenza infection prevention even though there are scarce examples where influenza strains have brought about infection of the eye (conjunctivitis). During a pandemic, healthcare officials will evaluate whether the possibility of infection of the conjunctiva or transmission is present for the particular viral strain of the pandemic (Van-Tam et al, 2013). When choosing PPE, it is important to consider aspects like fit, function, disposal, decontamination ability, and cost (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Occasionally, when a PPE piece will be required to be used frequently for an extended period, a PPE piece that is more durable and expensive might be less costly eventually than a PPE piece that is disposable. For instance, during a pandemic, there might be surgical masks’ shortages. A face shield that is reusable that is able to be decontaminated might turn out to be the preferred means of safeguarding against droplet transfer in some healthcare settings (Van-Tam et al, 2013). The healthcare professional should choose the PPE combination that protects his or her staff in their specific workplace. Educating and training staff concerning the donning and taking off PPE in a correct manner is important so as to avoid unintentional self-contamination. The use of medications/immunization Vaccination and, in part, antiviral medication (specifically, the neuraminidase inhibitors zanamivir and oseltamivir are maybe the most significant interventions for minimizing mortality and morbidity linked to influenza (Compans & Orenstein, 2009). Vaccination is considered the fundamental method of influenza prevention (Compans & Orenstein, 2009). At the start of an influenza pandemic, supplies of vaccine will be non-existent or limited. This is as a result of unpredictability of a pandemic emergence. Vaccine is not able to be stockpiled and production of vaccine can only commence during identification of the pandemic virus (Compans & Orenstein, 2009). With present technology, the initial vaccine doses are not likely to become accessible during the pandemic’s early months. A country that is not presently producing vaccine is not able to secure vaccine supplies (Fukuda & World Health Organization, 2009). Early planning will be important to raise the possibility that influenza vaccine will increasingly become accessible once the pandemic spreads out. Therefore, regional and national priorities should be clarified for the sensible use of present supplies with regards to the predetermined objectives (Fukuda & World Health Organization, 2009). The management of patients coming to clinics to minimize the risk of infecting staff Good health as well as safety practices entails isolation, minimization and elimination (Van-Tam et al, 2013). In a situation of pandemic, the major risk (and, hence, the issue is to attempt to eliminate, minimize or isolate to a great deal) is direct contact between individuals including the healthcare staff. There exists no one, solitary response to be planned for therefore the healthcare professional and his staff is required to take action flexibly with respect to the situation (Van-Tam et al, 2013). It is important to consider the workplace setting as well as what is convenient for the team. In practice, the general measures of infection control that will assist in the reduction of transmission risk for patients and staff include and not limited to: frequent hand cleaning with hand rub that is alcohol based or soap, particularly following gowns and masks removal; frequent surface cleaning particularly those regularly touched like door handles; proper respiratory hygiene like appropriate disposal of soiled items such as tissues; isolation of potentially infectious patients; using barriers such as screens where possible for infectious patients; and asking patients who are potentially infectious to put on surgical mask, wash their hands using proper washing techniques, and practice proper cough etiquette (Australian Government, 2013). Difficulties experienced by nurses and doctors in protecting themselves World Health Organization (2009), state that strategies of communication are essential elements in management of any disease outbreak that is infectious, and are important in a pandemic event. Timely and precise information at every level is crucial so as to minimize unwanted consequences and to increase the suitable outcome of the reaction. Once communication strategies are hampered, nurses and doctors might consider it as a challenge towards effective measures to be taken during an influenza pandemic. Legal issues may also be a challenge for doctors and nurses during a pandemic. In the course of a pandemic, it might be essential to overrule current human rights or legislation (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Examples include quarantine enforcement (overruling movement freedom of an individual), compulsory vaccination, or off-license drugs’ use. These decisions require an official framework so as to guarantee transparent assessment as well as validation of the considered measures, and to guarantee consistency with global legislation (International Health Regulations) (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Some individuals may decline being quarantine, posing a risk of infecting others particularly the healthcare team. Ethical issues may also bring about difficulties to the nurses and doctors. These issues are very much connected to the legal issues stated above. They are normative framework’s part that is required to evaluate the cultural suitability of measures like quarantine or even selective vaccination of risk groups that are predefined (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Nurses and doctors attitudes towards the success of failure of these strategies It is expected that nurses and doctors will be concerned on contacting influenza in the course of a pandemic- this is natural. Safety practices and good health will offer the optimal framework for aiding in the response of the infection risk, and will guarantee individuals that every practicable measure has been considered (Ryan, 2009). The healthcare professional has a responsibility to stay up to date about the influenza pandemic. Involving the staff in identification and management of the risk of possible infection within the workplace is fundamental. The healthcare professional should discuss with his staff how they might minimize, eliminate or isolate the possibility of infection will contribute greatly towards the success of prevention strategies (Ryan, 2009). Failure to do so will only decrease the morale of workers and hence the goal to achieve good health outcome will reduce. Do you think you and other health professionals will be safer in the next pandemic? Why do you think that? I think other health professionals and I will be safer in the next pandemic. This is because obviously it is within our interest that the business endures a pandemic. Definitely, during a pandemic life does not remain the same. As a team, we should be able to take action flexibly to the diverse scenarios that may be created by a pandemic. This is why it is important to identify the way we might isolate, minimize or eliminate the potential infection risk at the workplace (Van-Tam et al, 2013). Conclusion In conclusion, pandemics occur without a warning, hence planning enables a country to get prepared to identify as well as manage pandemics such as influenza pandemic. Planning might assist to decrease transmission of the strain of the pandemic virus, to reduce cases, deaths and hospitalization, to maintain services that are essential and to decrease the social and economic impact caused by a pandemic. Annual influenza vaccination of persons of high-risk as well as their contacts, not excluding healthcare professionals, is the principal means of nosocomial influenza prevention. Despite the effectiveness of influenza vaccine, it is considerably underused by providers of healthcare. Reference Australian Government, 2013, Pandemic Influenza, Retrieved from http://www.flupandemic.gov.au/internet/panflu/publishing.nsf/Content/prep-practice-1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013, Seasonal Influenza (Flu), Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/ Compans, R & Orenstein W, 2009, Vaccines for Pandemic Influenza, New York: Springer. Fukuda, K & World Health Organization, 2009, Pandemic influenza preparedness and response: A WHO guidance document. Geneva: World Health Organization. Lautenbach, E, Woeltje, KF & Malani PN, 2010, Practical Healthcare Epidemiology: Third Edition, Chicago: University of Chicago. Ryan, JR, 2009, Pandemic influenza: Emergency planning and community preparedness, Boca Raton: CRC Press. Stern, AM & Markel H, 2004, International efforts to control infectious diseases, 1851 to the present. Journal of the American Medical Association, 292(12):1474–1479. Van-Tam, J, Sellwood, C & C.A.B, International, 2013, Pandemic influenza, Wallingford, Oxfordshire: CABI. World Health Organization, 2013, What is a pandemic?, Retrieved from http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/pandemic/en/ World Health Organization, Global Influenza Programme, 2009, Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response: A WHO Guidance Document, Geneva: World Health Organization. Read More