Bioterrorism and disease management, communicable disease prevention and control

Bioterrorism and Disease management, Communicable disease Prevention and Control Grade (March. 22, Bioterrorism and Disease management, Communicable disease Prevention and Control
Part A: Communicable disease
Communicable diseases, also commonly referred as transmissible diseases, are defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as the types of diseases that can be transmitted from one person to the other, thorough varied means (Heymann, 2008). These means of transmission may include physical contact, shared items, bodily fluids contact or even shared breathing air. When the communicable diseases become easily transmittable from an individual to the other, then they are categorized as contagious diseases, and they may need an immediate medical intervention, to prevent their transmission to the whole population (Schlipköter& Flahault, 2010).
The planning, evaluation and implementation of programs meant to prevent or control communicable diseases require nurses to first identify the nature or type of communicable disease and the mode of transmission (Heymann, 2008). The second step is the development of the manual indicating the common symptoms that are shown by the disease and then devising the preventive measures that the public should take to avoid being infected. This first step is essential to enable the nurses immediately devise a public awareness campaign that informs the public regarding the outbreak of the communicable disease and the manner in which it is transmitted, as well as the most common and observable symptoms that the public should look out for (Heymann, 2008). The second step helps the public to avoid contacting the communicable disease through its various transmittable ways, by observing and then applying the preventive measures. The nurses also develops he right treatment procedures for the affected population, while applying other preventive measures such quarantines and isolations where necessary, most especially when the disease is categorized as contagious (Schlipköter& Flahault, 2010).
Part B: Bioterrorism
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines bioterrorism as the deliberate act of releasing of harmful biological, living microorganisms or their products to the population, with the intention of causing illnesses or even death to the target population (CDC, 2007). The target population for bioterrorism could be humans, animals or plants, which are targeted for destruction by the bioterrorists, with the intention of generating and accelerating fear and panic among the public. This is owing to the fact that the biological destruction can be gradual and less noticeable than the physical destruction, and thus capable of causing more panic and anxiety (CDC, 2007).
The positive effect of bioterrorism is that it has helped in massive development and dissemination of vaccines that are attributable to certain viruses, bacteria of pathogens, which the bioterrorists can use to cause harm to the population (CDC, 2007). This way, bioterrorism has helped to develop vaccines against potentially harmful bacteria, pathogens and viruses. However, the negative implication of bioterrorism is that it can be applied to spread illnesses or cause death to plants, animals or humans (CDC, 2007). The nursing role in the management and control of bioterrorism entails the creation of awareness through the mass media or different awareness programs on the potential outbreak of a disease causing virus, bacteria or pathogen. The nurses then develop the modalities of vaccinating the public against the harmful biological or microorganisms usable by the b bioterrorists (CDC, 2007).
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (February 12, 2007). Emergency Preparedness and Response: Bioterrorism Overview. Available at: Heymann, D. L. (2008). Control of Communicable Diseases Manual (19th ed.). American Public Health Association.
Schlipköter, U. & Flahault, A. (2010). Communicable diseases: achievements and challenges for public health. Public Health Reviews 32, 90-119.