Hazards, Disasters And Your Community - United Nations ...

the infectious agent (bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi or their products) and the environment that
promotes the exposure (refer to the figure below) is upset.
CAUSES
The main cause for an epidemic is the
pathogen (virus, bacteria, protozoa or rarely
fungi). Reports of outbreaks of communicable
diseases are increasing in number and reported
in many of the national dailies. This is because
of a number of reasons. For instance poor
sanitary conditions may contaminate food and
water and also suffice the environment for
breeding conditions for the vector. Other factors
include the seasonal changes that favour the
breeding of an insect vector such as mosquito
in the rainy season, exposure of non-immune
persons say tourists and migrants, poverty,
overcrowding etc. Poverty is one of the major
factor contributing to the vulnerability. Impact
of natural disasters on the environment also
leads to outbreak of epidemic. Part of the
increase in the number of outbreaks is due to
exposure of unreported cases of diseases as a
result of better reporting and increased
coverage of health services.
AGENT
Virulence,
infectious dose,
susceptibility to
drugs mode of
transmission ability
to adapt to change
POPULATION
Age
genetic susceptibility
nutritional status
previous exposure
immunisation status
general physical
condition
ENVIRONMENT
Shelter, altitude
humidity, sanitation
food supply, water
supply temperature
overcrowding
essential services
Equilibrium between the Population, Infectious Agent, and the
Environment
ELEMENTS AT RISK
Population or a particular community is under risk. It can be localized or pandemic (spread across
countries).
TYPICAL EFFECTS
Epidemics cause illness and death. There are other secondary effects such as disruption in the society
and economic losses. Vulnerability is high among those are poorly nourished, people living in
unhygienic sanitary conditions, poor water supply, individuals who do not have an access to the health
services or those who have weak immune systems. The outbreak of an epidemic in situations where
already a natural calamity has struck will cause life threatening situations.
POTENTIAL RISK REDUCTION MEASURES
Structuring the health services is important to have clear understanding of roles and responsibilities of
the public health system. Organizational preparedness and the coordination mechanism is required right
from the State and District to the sub center level which is manned by the Village Health Nurses or the
Health Workers.
Contingency Plan for response should be prepared after identifying the epidemics that are likely to
occur in the region. Early warning system through a surveillance system is the primary requirement so as
to have an effective response and prevent any outbreaks. For this, surveillance need to be carried out at
a regular basis through the routine surveillance system by involving the health tier system. Maps of all the
health facilities in the region with an inventory of drugs and vaccines, laboratory set ups, list of number of
doctors and supporting staff etc. need to be kept ready and updated at regular intervals.
Training need to be given to so as to build the capacity at all levels. Training will help to cope better
during the emergency response period for epidemics.
Personnel protection through vaccination is an effective mitigation strategy and will protect the persons
at risk.
“ t o w a r d s s a f e r I N D I A ” 47