This week, you will write a paper referencing John Snow’s role in the history of infectious disease epidemiology.
Recall the relevant events in London during 1854, the map Snow created, and his findings from his investigation of the cholera outbreak.
Write a 2- to 3-page paper in which you answer the following questions:
- What did Snow do to determine the source of the London cholera outbreak in 1854?
- How would you have applied John Snow’s process if you had been a health official involved with the Disneyland measles outbreak in 2014–2015?
- What type of precautions would you recommend public health officials use to curb the spread of measles in the future?
Include evidence or information from at least one credible external source and follow APA style for formatting and citation.
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Introduction:
John Snow is regarded as the father of epidemiology for his significant contributions in tracing the source of the London cholera outbreak in 1854. His groundbreaking work in mapping the spread of infectious diseases has influenced modern epidemiological studies. This paper will discuss Snow’s role in discovering the source of the cholera outbreak and how his process can be applied to the Disneyland measles outbreak in 2014-2015. Additionally, the paper will provide recommendations on the type of precautions health officials should employ to tackle future measles outbreaks.
1. What did Snow do to determine the source of the London cholera outbreak in 1854?
In the summer of 1854, London was hit by a cholera outbreak that killed more than 500 people within ten days. Snow, who was a physician, conducted a study to identify the source of the outbreak and traced it to a water pump in Broad Street. Snow mapped out the deaths related to the outbreak and calculated that the majority of the cases were located near the water pump. Snow then compared the mortality rate of individuals consuming water from the Broad Street pump with those who obtained water from other sources, and found a significant disparity in the mortality rates. He concluded that contaminated water was the cause of the cholera outbreak and requested that the pump be taken out of service, leading to a significant decrease in the number of infections.
2. How would you have applied John Snow’s process if you had been a health official involved with the Disneyland measles outbreak in 2014-2015?
If I had been involved with the Disneyland measles outbreak, I would have used Snow’s process to determine the source of the outbreak. First, I would have reviewed the medical records of the infected individuals to ascertain the pattern of the disease’s spread. I would then interview the infected individuals and their contacts to determine the locations and timelines of their movements before becoming sick. I would then map out the locations of the infected individuals and compare their movements with a map of Disneyland to identify the areas where people were infected. Based on the information gathered, I would hypothesize the possible source of the outbreak and investigate the location further to collect more data on the possible mode of transmission.
3. What type of precautions would you recommend public health officials use to curb the spread of measles in the future?
To curb the spread of measles in the future, public health officials should focus on both preventative and control measures. Preventative measures should include providing measles vaccinations to ensure high levels of herd immunity within the community. Health officials should maintain a registry of individuals who have been vaccinated and identify areas with low vaccination rates. Control measures during outbreaks should include prompt case identification and isolation, contact tracing, and vaccination of susceptible individuals. Public health officials should educate individuals on the risks associated with measles and the importance of vaccination. Additionally, adequate funding should be provided to ensure surveillance and preventive measures can be carried out effectively.
Conclusion:
John Snow’s contribution to the field of epidemiology cannot be overstated. His work has not only improved our understanding of infectious diseases but has also influenced the development of effective public health strategies. Snow’s process for tracing infectious diseases remains relevant today, as demonstrated by its application to the Disneyland measles outbreak. Preventative measures such as vaccination and control measures such as prompt case identification and isolation should be employed to curb the spread of measles in the future.
