Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases and Outbreak Control

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture on communicable diseases and outbreak control.

Communicable Disease

An illness caused by a living agent or its products that can spread from one person to another.

Emergency Condition

A state of disarray during or after conflict, flood, earthquake, hurricane, or drought.

Chain of Infection

The series of events that leads to the transmission of an infectious agent from a reservoir to a susceptible host.

Five Goals of Communicable Disease Control

Assessment, Prevention, Surveillance, Control, and Management.

Hand Hygiene

The first line of defense against the spread of infectious diseases, recommending alcohol-based foam with 60–70% ABV.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Precautions taken to prevent the spread of infectious agents via different routes: Airborne, Droplet, and Contact.

Rapid Assessment

The process of identifying the main disease and obtaining country data within 4 days.

Vector Control

Strategies to manage and reduce disease transmission through vectors like mosquitoes.

Surveillance

The continuous collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to monitor disease trends and detect outbreaks early.

Outbreak Control

The management of outbreak situations through preparation, detection, confirmation, response, and evaluation.

Vaccination Campaign

A coordinated effort to immunize individuals against communicable diseases, crucial for preventing outbreaks.

Ebola Transmission

Direct contact with infected bodily fluids; requires strict isolation at full biohazard level.

HIV Transmission

Spread through blood and other bodily fluids; characterized by a flu-like illness and potential long dormancy.

Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment

Requires strict airborne isolation and a prompt antibiotic regimen.

Cholera Management

Focused on hygiene and handwashing, with treatments like oral rehydration salts (ORS) for mild cases.

Respiratory Protection

N95 masks or Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR) required for airborne disease precautions.