Select one infectious disease outbreak, either in the United States or worldwide, and discuss how epidemiological investigations were used to identify and monitor the spread of the disease. Identify social determinates of health and social environmental factors that impacted a specific population more than others, and explain why.
What effective intervention strategies were used and measured? Include a discussion regarding the use of surveillance systems to monitor the infectious disease you are addressing. What and how were interventions used to flatten the epi curve?
What impact did have the infectious disease outbreak have on any health policies?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Epidemiological Investigations and Intervention Strategies in the Ebola Outbreak
Introduction
The Ebola outbreak that occurred in West Africa from 2014 to 2016 provides an illustrative example of how epidemiological investigations were employed to identify, monitor, and control the spread of the disease. This paper will discuss how epidemiological investigations were used during the outbreak, identify social determinants of health and social environmental factors that impacted certain populations, explore effective intervention strategies, examine the use of surveillance systems, and analyze the impact on health policies.
Epidemiological Investigations
During the Ebola outbreak, epidemiological investigations played a vital role in identifying and monitoring the spread of the disease. Epidemiologists conducted case investigations to determine the source of infection, track contacts, and understand patterns of transmission. They collected data on demographics, symptoms, locations, and potential risk factors to identify high-risk groups and assess the impact of interventions. Through contact tracing and analysis of transmission chains, they were able to identify individuals with suspected or confirmed Ebola cases and implement control measures such as isolation and quarantine.
Social Determinants of Health and Social Environmental Factors
Social determinants of health played a significant role in the impact of the Ebola outbreak on specific populations. Factors such as poverty, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and cultural practices influenced the spread of the disease. In many affected areas, poverty and limited access to healthcare services hindered early detection and timely treatment. Additionally, traditional burial practices, where direct contact with deceased individuals was common, contributed to the transmission of the virus.
Certain populations, such as healthcare workers and funeral workers, were disproportionately affected due to their increased exposure to infected individuals. The lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), inadequate training on infection prevention and control measures, and limited resources exacerbated the risk for healthcare workers. Social stigmatization towards Ebola survivors and their families also had a significant impact on their access to healthcare and social support.
Effective Intervention Strategies
During the Ebola outbreak, several intervention strategies were employed to control the spread of the disease. These included:
Case identification and isolation: Rapid identification and isolation of suspected cases helped prevent further transmission. Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) were established to provide appropriate care for infected individuals.
Contact tracing and monitoring: Contact tracing was crucial in identifying individuals at risk of contracting Ebola. Monitoring these contacts allowed for early detection of new cases and facilitated prompt isolation.
Community engagement: Community engagement strategies involved raising awareness about Ebola, educating communities on prevention measures, and gaining community trust to improve cooperation with control efforts.
Safe burial practices: Promoting safe burial practices aimed to reduce transmission through direct contact with deceased individuals. This involved training burial teams on proper handling and disposal methods.
Surveillance systems: Surveillance systems were used extensively to monitor the spread of Ebola. This included establishing reporting mechanisms, enhancing laboratory capacity for testing, and implementing real-time data collection and analysis.
Flattening the Epidemic Curve
Interventions used during the Ebola outbreak aimed to flatten the epidemic curve by reducing the number of new infections over time. By quickly identifying cases and implementing isolation measures, transmission chains were interrupted. Contact tracing helped identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus, allowing for early detection and isolation if necessary. Community engagement initiatives enhanced public awareness about prevention measures, leading to behavior changes that reduced transmission risks. These interventions collectively contributed to a decline in new cases and a flattening of the epidemic curve.
Impact on Health Policies
The Ebola outbreak had a significant impact on health policies at both national and international levels. The severity of the outbreak highlighted the need for improved healthcare infrastructure, preparedness, and response capacity in affected countries. It prompted governments and international organizations to invest in strengthening healthcare systems, including laboratory networks, infection prevention and control measures, and surveillance systems.
Additionally, the outbreak emphasized the importance of international collaboration and coordination in responding to global health emergencies. It led to the establishment of new initiatives such as the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme, which aims to enhance global preparedness and response capabilities.
Conclusion
The Ebola outbreak demonstrated how epidemiological investigations were instrumental in identifying and managing the spread of the disease. Social determinants of health and social environmental factors played a significant role in shaping the impact of the outbreak on specific populations. Effective intervention strategies focused on case identification, contact tracing, community engagement, safe burial practices, and surveillance systems contributed to flattening the epidemic curve. The outbreak also influenced health policies by highlighting the need for improved healthcare infrastructure, international collaboration, and emergency preparedness measures.
