Discussion – Contagion
Epidemiological Triage
An epidemiological triangle is a model comprising three components: host, agent, and environment. It explains the factors contributing to a disease’s spread (Brachman, 2019). In the Contagion video, the host includes humans, particularly those living in densely populated areas with compromised immune systems. In this case, other host factors such as age, overall health, and pre-existing conditions increase the host’s vulnerability. The agent is the MEV-1 virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets and fomites. This agent presents a high mortality rate and is hard to contain due to its virulent nature. The environment includes densely populated areas enclosed in a way that allows the virus to spread quickly. Also, airports, hospitals, and other public transit form part of the environment contributing to this virus’s rapid spread (Warner Bros. Entertainment, 2020).
Prevention Activities
Various strategies could have been implemented to mitigate exposure to uninfected hosts and inhibit the spread of this virus. These strategies include isolation and quarantine of individuals with symptoms, use of personal preventive equipment (PPEs), social distancing, vaccination, and conducting public health campaigns to educate the public concerning these measures (Ather & Edemekong, 2020).
Herd Immunity
Herd immunity occurs when a significant percentage of the population becomes immune through vaccination or recovery, reducing the spread of a virus. In this scenario, herd immunity through natural infection was impossible since the virus killed hosts rapidly and was only achievable after the vaccine was developed (Bullen et al., 2023).
Data and Technology
Preventing an outbreak from becoming a pandemic requires timely intervention only achieved when screening and detection are conducted in the early stages of the disease. These measures include real-time surveillance systems that would help track new infections, identify outbreak hotspots, and facilitate preventive measures. Secondly, contact tracing technologies could be implanted to track the movements and social interactions of infected individuals, enabling quick quarantine of exposed individuals. Thirdly, predictive modeling technology would be used to predict the speed of the outbreak and plan interventions. Lastly, the implementation of telemedicine services would minimize unnecessary contact and prevent rapid infections (Edemekong & Huang, 2019).
Strategies
Infectious disease emergencies may be contained into two levels: community level and hospital level. Mobile vaccinations can be organized at the community level to increase the vaccination rate. In addition, community education campaigns would also prevent widespread through informing on the preventive measures. At the hospital level, infection prevention protocols should be implemented, including the use of PPEs and isolation rooms. Lastly, nurses can oversee resource allocation to ensure adequate resources are allocated (Corbin et al., 2021).
Parallels
The virus in Contagion has many similarities to the coronavirus. First, both viruses were marked by a rapid spread. Second, the mode of transmission in both viruses is through respiratory droplets, making them airborne. Third, both are influenced by globalization and traveling, where international traveling increases their spread. In both cases, there is a possibility of asymptomatic transmission, and lastly, the development of vaccines leads to a significant reduction in the spread of the diseases (Hopewell et al., 2021).
References
Ather, B., & Edemekong, P. F. (2020). Airborne precautions. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531468/
Brachman, P. S. (2019). Epidemiology. Nih.gov; University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7993/
Bullen, M., Heriot, G. S., & Jamrozik, E. (2023). Herd immunity, vaccination and moral obligation. Journal of Medical Ethics, 49(9). https://doi.org/10.1136/jme-2022-108485
Corbin, J. H., Oyene, U. E., Manoncourt, E., Onya, H., Kwamboka, M., Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, M., Sørensen, K., Mweemba, O., Barry, M. M., Munodawafa, D., Bayugo, Y. V., Huda, Q., Moran, T., Omoleke, S. A., Spencer-Walters, D., & Van Den Broucke, S. (2021). A health promotion approach to emergency management: Effective community engagement strategies from five cases. Health Promotion International, 36(Supplement_1), i24–i38. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daab152
Edemekong, P. F., & Huang, B. (2019, August 10). Epidemiology of prevention of communicable diseases. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470303/
Hopewell, P. C., Reichman, L. B., & Castro, K. G. (2021). Parallels and mutual lessons in tuberculosis and COVID-19 transmission, prevention, and control. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(3), 681–686. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2703.203456
Warner Bros. Entertainment. (2020, March 18). Contagion | Full movie preview | Warner Bros. Entertainment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb1YKCdXBpw
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Question 
Discussion Prompt:
Take a moment to watch the 9-minute full movie preview of Contagion (2011). You may find watching the full movie on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max helpful. The Contagion website shares a few other places you may be able to catch the film: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/contagionLinks to an external site.
This assignment is a spin-off of the movie-watching and reporting-out activity many of us engaged in primary education. The difference is that doctoral-level tasks require in-depth analysis and writing skills with a heavier emphasis on evidence-based practice and empirical evidence.
For this assignment, after watching the clip or full movie, provide a synopsis supported by evidence. You will find your textbook helpful. However, outside sources are welcome! In this situation, you are an advanced practiced nurse and are expected to provide leadership to address the dilemma. Please be sure to address the following:
Explain the epidemiological triangle (Host/Agent/Environment). How did the epidemiological triangle present in the clip?
What prevention activities could have lessened the burden of the disease?
Provide a discussion of herd immunity and its impact on the scenario.
What kind of data and technology could the advanced practice nurse use to prevent an epidemic from developing into a pandemic?
Provide one strategy the advanced practice nurses could employ to counteract an infectious disease emergency for each setting: 1) community, 2) healthcare facility.
What parallels did you identify between Ro (the virus in Contagion) and the novel Coronavirus?
