Chronic and Communicable Diseases – HealthMap Investigation

Chronic and Communicable Diseases – HealthMap Investigation

Flu Outbreak in North Carolina, United States

The communicable disease identified in North Carolina is the seasonal flu or influenza. According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the 2023-2024 flu season has seen a significant increase in flu-related deaths. Specifically, 146 people have succumbed to the flu during this period. The affected population is diverse, with 90 deaths among individuals aged 65 and older, 32 deaths in the 50 to 64 age group, 17 deaths in the 25 to 49 age range, and 4 deaths in the 5 to 17 age group (For the Record, 2024). Alarmingly, there have also been four deaths among children aged 4 and younger.

According to the outbreak’s chronology, flu activity in North Carolina has been continuously high since early December, and the newest report shows that the state is still seeing significant levels of flu activity (HealthMap, 2024). Influenza is an infectious respiratory virus that may result in varying degrees of sickness, ranging from mild to severe, and in some instances, it can be fatal.

To mitigate the impact of the flu outbreak, health officials emphasize the importance of annual flu vaccination. Debra Hawkins, interim health director with the Harnett County Health Department, highlights that vaccination is crucial for reducing the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications (For the Record, 2024). The vaccination campaign targets everyone aged 6 months and older, and the Health Department provides flu shots through walk-ins or appointments.

In addition to vaccination, the Health Department advises the public to adopt good health habits, including avoiding contact with sick individuals, practicing proper cough etiquette, and maintaining regular hand hygiene. Collectively, these measures aim to protect individuals and communities from the flu and contribute to stopping the spread of the virus.

Monkeypox Cases in St. Petersburg, Russia

The infectious ailment detected in St. Petersburg, Russia, is monkeypox. Two individuals who had recently visited the administrative territory of Hong Kong, China, as tourists, have been confirmed to have had monkeypox (APA, 2024). The incidents were reported by the Russian sanitary and consumer rights agency’s office in the city. The agency informed the public that the patients were being treated in a specialized medical facility for infectious illnesses and their lives were not immediately at risk.

Monkeypox is an infrequent viral illness characterized by symptoms such as fever, poisoning, swelling of the lymph nodes, and a distinctive skin rash. The rash often progresses from lesions and blisters to open sores and permanent marks (APA, 2024). An ongoing epidemiological study is being conducted, and comprehensive anti-epidemic measures are being adopted to mitigate the transmission of the illness. Medical professionals are closely monitoring the contacts of the two infected persons to prevent and control the possible spread of the disease (HealthMap, 2024).

The identification of monkeypox cases highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring at international borders and the swift implementation of containment measures when rare diseases emerge. In this case, the focus is on isolating and treating the affected individuals while preventing further transmission through rigorous epidemiological investigations.

Syphilis Crisis in Japan

Syphilis is a communicable disease contributing to a crisis in Japan. The Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported an alarming 14,906 syphilis cases in 2023, marking the third consecutive year of record-high numbers (Amadi, 2024). Syphilis, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, is primarily transmitted through sexual contact but can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.

The escalating number of syphilis cases in Japan underscores the urgent need for effective public health interventions. In response, the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases has been actively working on developing a syphilis vaccine (HealthMap, 2024). Positive results from preclinical studies have been reported, indicating progress in vaccine development. The institute is now advancing to human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. If successful, the syphilis vaccine could become a crucial tool in curbing the rising rate of infections. However, it is emphasized that alongside vaccine development, continued efforts in public health measures such as regular testing, education about safe sex practices, and prompt treatment are essential to control and reduce the spread of syphilis (Harris, 2013).

In summary, the three outbreaks – flu in North Carolina, monkeypox in St. Petersburg, and the syphilis crisis in Japan – illustrate the diverse nature of communicable diseases and the varied strategies employed to address each outbreak. From vaccination campaigns to rigorous epidemiological investigations and vaccine development, public health responses play a crucial role in managing and preventing the spread of infectious diseases globally.

References

Amadi, A. (2024, January 18). Addressing the Syphilis Crisis in Japan: Progress in Vaccine Development. Medriva. https://medriva.com/health/public-health/addressing-the-syphilis-crisis-in-japan-progress-in-vaccine-development/

APA. (2024). Two men returning from China diagnosed with monkeypox in St. Petersburg. Apa.az. https://en.apa.az/cis-countries/two-men-returning-from-china-diagnosed-with-monkeypox-in-st-petersburg-423969

For the Record. (2024, January 23). Flu deaths in North Carolina increase. The Daily Record. https://www.mydailyrecord.com/news/flu-deaths-in-north-carolina-increase/article_7f15b8d6-ba0e-11ee-9de6-474eeb3ae683.html

Harris, R. E. (2013). Epidemiology of chronic disease. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. ISBN-13: 978-1449653286 ISBN-10: 1449653286

HealthMap. (2024). HealthMap | Flu Map | Contagious Disease Surveillance | Virus Awareness. Healthmap.org. https://healthmap.org/en/

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HealthMap Investigation

Week Three – HealthMap Investigation

East US/China/Japan

The goal of this assignment is to investigate the healthmap.org website and find a new and specific outbreak that has found its way into the general population. Your focus will be to record three new outbreaks in all various parts of the world- North, South, East, and West regions of the world

Complete the following for each of the three outbreaks:

Name the communicable disease
Name the location- City, County, State, Region, Territory, and so on
Describe the specifics of the outbreak including causes and symptoms
How many cases have been confirmed and who has been affected?
What is being done to prevent the spread of the disease?