The CDC and Its Interaction With the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

The CDC an Its Interaction With the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

Colin D. Morgan
Easter Connecticut State University
November 2014

The CDC and Its Interaction With the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

Its a disease that has resurfaced, appearing prominently for the first time since
the 1970s. The Ebola virus, originating in Africa, has made its way through several
African countries as well as the United States this year, and it seems to be dominating
our news stream, currently and within the past 2 months. First let us define the Ebola
Virus in technical terms.

The Ebola virus disease, or simply EVD, is cause by 4 of the 5 viruses in the
genus Ebolavirus. The disease was transferred from primates to humans some time
last century, similar to the HIV virus. Ebolaviruses cause severe viral hemorrhagic fever
in humans and non-human primates, with case fatality rates of up to 90%. Currently,
neither a specific treatment nor a vaccine licensed for use in humans is available (US
National Library of Medicine). The first case was confirmed in Sudan in 1976 and, As of
29 October 2014, this outbreak has 13,567 reported cases resulting in 4,960 deaths
(World Health Organization). The virus essentially causes the organ to fail. It is
contracted through contact with only bodily fluids of infected persons, i.e. sweat, semen,
urine, feces, tears, saliva. The body will begin to feel affects within days, causing severe
headache, chest pain, severe rash and boil development on the skin, fever, muscle
atrophy, and diarrhea. The disease will eventually cause severe hemorrhaging of the
organs, leading them to fail. This virus may be cause for serious alarm, but the Centers
for Disease Control is doing everything and anything within its power to contain, control,
and eradicate this disease.

The CDC and Its Interaction With the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

Opened and established in 1946, the Centers for Disease Control set out to
prevent, contain, and cure diseases throughout the last 70 years(CDC). They have
been essential in the prevention of a major spread of Malaria, AIDS, Polio an various
viruses and diseases. Now, more than ever, is the organizationss task weighing on its
sholders. The organization must attempt to prevent, contain, and hopeful cure a virus
that is deadly and extremely contagious. While the organization has implemented
several systems and measures to control the outbreak, it has invested highly into
Health Information Systems within the past decades to reach anyone and everyone,
and to ensure an even better approach and attempt to combating disease outbreaks.

CDC is assisting countries in developing well-functioning health information

systems. Such systems ensure the production, analysis, dissemination and use
of reliable, timely information on health determinants, health system
performance, and health status. The CDC has successfully implemented Health
Information systems that identify and promote the use of global standards in
health information systems to ensure consistent indicators to enable sharing
across systems, and to ensure that data are protected. In addition the CDC has
supported the implementation of paper-based and computerized reporting
systems(CDC, 2012).

The CDC and Its Interaction With the 2014 Ebola Outbreak
The CDC faces serious issues concering a lack of new, and compatible
technologies in the continent of Africa, that would prevent communication of vital
information such as requirements and methods of containment, treatment such as
constant hydration of sugar water, and patient records. Because Liberia, the location in
which the first US victim contracted the disease, had insufficient communication
technology as well as screening technology, the man Thomas Duncan entered the US
into Dallas, and set off a wave of concern and worry (CNN).

The CDC has successfully implemented screening regulations of all passengers

on flights coming from the affected African nations such as Serria Leone, Liberia,
Guinea, Nigeria, and Senegal, into the United States. The CDC has also implemented
strict and sufficient quarantines around possible victims and this infectious, to ensure
safety. Concerning the case of the Victim in New York City reported on the 24th of
October, the CDC traced the victims interactions, and places visited and placed the 3 he
came in contact with, being his fiance, friend, and brother, in a special quarantine to
further prevent the spread. The CDC chairman reported on CBS news radio 880 as well
as the CBS news station the evening of October 24th, addressing the public on the
current situation, which is pertinent in our nations biggest city. The CDC has also
utilized their website, which uses an RSS feed, constantly updating the public, and
providing a wide array of people across the nation with prevention tips, disease
information, contact information, and reassurance to keep hold of the serious situation
the world faces.

The CDC and Its Interaction With the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

Works Cited
Butler, Declan, and Lauren Morello. "Ebola by the Numbers: The Size, Spread and Cost
of an Outbreak." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 05 Nov.
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Hoenen, Thomas, Allison Groseth, and Heinz Feldmann. "Abstract." National Center for
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Karimi, Faith, and Ashley Frantz. "Ebola: More Fears, More Measures after First Patient
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<http://www.cdc.gov/globalaids/What-CDC-is-Doing/health-information-systems.html>.