Infectious diseases are a constant threat to human life. Various scientific research findings since the 19th century have, however, paved the way for an improved comprehension of infectious diseases with regards to their natural history and the preventive measures to control them. These measures include vector control, immunisation, and water treatment. The implementation of these measures over the last century brought about huge victories for mankind in the battle to control infectious diseases. A good example of such victories is the eradication of smallpox in the year 1979. In recent decades nonetheless, the incidence of infectious diseases which were thought to be well controlled has increased in several locations across the world. Antimicrobial resistance is also on the rise globally and diseases which were previously unknown to man have also emerged. These issues have become global problems which require urgent assessment and resolution. This essay is an in-depth critical review of the literature on Ebola, one of the emerging communicable diseases. The essay will discuss the concept of disease emergence, provide a brief history about the Ebola virus, review the factors that have contributed to the emergence of Ebola infection, discuss some of the current policies to control this disease and make recommendations on strategies to improve on the current Ebola control policies.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Concept of Emergence
3. Historical Facts About Ebola
4. Contributory Factors to the Emergence of Ebola
4.1 The agent
4.2 The human host
4.3 The human environment
5. Current Control Measures for Ebola
5.1 Prevention, control, and response
5.2 Diagnosis
5.3 Treatment and vaccines
6. Recommendations
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This academic review aims to critically analyze the literature regarding the Ebola virus, focusing on the underlying factors that contribute to its emergence within the human population and the effectiveness of contemporary control strategies. The primary objective is to investigate the interplay between biological, environmental, and human behavioral variables that facilitate the spread of this disease and to propose proactive measures for improved management.
- The concept of disease emergence and its application to the Ebola virus.
- Biological factors influencing transmission, including genetic evolution and host adaptation.
- Human environmental and demographic impacts, such as urbanization and socio-economic conditions.
- Critical evaluation of current diagnostic, preventive, and clinical treatment policies.
- Strategic recommendations for transitioning from reactive outbreak management to proactive health systems.
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The human environment
The emergence of Ebola is a manifestation of many failures within the human environment. Failures in human and social development have crippled various countries thus exposing them to several hardships. The Ebola epidemic is just one example of the problems these countries must contend with. Poverty is still an important problem within the African society and has played a significant role in the emergence and spread of Ebola. The extensive poverty within many African regions is sustained by corruption, exploitation, escalating social conflict, anarchy, a distorted application of values such as human rights, and the wasteful consumption patterns exhibited by the privileged individuals within these societies (Benatar, 2015). There is also a persistent lack of vital caring social institutions such as schools and public hospitals due to a lack of political will by government leaders and officials (Benatar, 2015). The combination of these deficiencies within the socioeconomic structures of these regions has created an environment where suffering and social inequality thrives (Benatar, 2015). Such an environment provides a perfect platform for epidemics such as that of Ebola to emerge and spread unabated.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of infectious disease threats and outlines the scope of the critical literature review on the Ebola virus.
The Concept of Emergence: This section defines the categories of emerging and re-emerging infections and explains the fundamental biological requirements for disease establishment in a host.
Historical Facts About Ebola: This chapter details the discovery of the Ebola virus, its taxonomic classification, and the clinical manifestation of the disease in humans.
Contributory Factors to the Emergence of Ebola: This chapter explores the multi-faceted drivers of Ebola outbreaks, categorized into the viral agent's genetic evolution, human host susceptibility, and the broader environmental context.
Current Control Measures for Ebola: This section examines the standard protocols for outbreak management, including diagnostic challenges in resource-poor settings and the status of clinical treatments and vaccines.
Recommendations: This chapter proposes a shift toward pre-emptive strategies that address root causes and community trust to improve long-term outbreak resilience.
Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the main findings, reiterating the necessity for proactive health policies to curb future epidemics.
Keywords
Ebola, infectious diseases, emerging infections, Filoviridae, public health, disease control, zoonotic transmission, epidemiology, outbreak management, health policy, human susceptibility, vaccine development, diagnostic methods, socio-economic factors, environmental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this publication?
The document provides an in-depth critical literature review on the Ebola virus, examining how it emerged as a global health threat and analyzing the factors that drive its spread.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the biology of the Ebola virus, the human and environmental drivers of infection, current diagnostic and response policies, and strategies for future outbreak prevention.
What is the primary objective of this review?
The primary objective is to evaluate why Ebola persists as a threat and to recommend improvements to existing control policies, specifically advocating for a transition from reactive to proactive measures.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The work employs a critical literature review methodology, synthesizing findings from existing scientific research, clinical studies, and data from organizations such as the WHO and CDC.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the classification of emerging diseases, historical data on Ebola, the role of animal reservoirs, human behavioral and socio-economic influences, and current containment and treatment efforts.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as Ebola, public health, infectious diseases, disease emergence, and outbreak management.
How do socio-economic factors influence the emergence of Ebola?
The text suggests that poverty, corruption, social inequality, and a lack of investment in healthcare infrastructure create an environment where the virus can spread without sufficient counter-measures.
What role does climate change play in Ebola transmission?
Climate change alters the habitats of animal reservoirs, forcing them into closer proximity with human settlements and increasing the risk of interspecies transmission.
Why is clinical diagnosis of Ebola particularly challenging?
Clinical diagnosis is difficult because the early symptoms of Ebola, such as fever, headaches, and muscle pain, are similar to other common febrile illnesses like malaria and typhoid fever.
What does the author propose as a potential "turning point" for Ebola control?
The author argues that a combination of pre-emptive community-based strategies—such as health education—and improved institutional capacity will provide the necessary turning point to curb the disease.
- Citar trabajo
- Emenike Muonanu (Autor), 2018, Emerging Communicable Diseases: Ebola, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/889210
