Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Case Study Example

Due to the massive public health risks associated with any travel to West Africa in 2014, including Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, it is of critical importance to adhere to any required precautions and preventive measures that will minimize the risk of developing infectious diseases, including the Ebola virus. There are significant risks in traveling to this area to begin with; therefore, it is highly recommended that a substantial protocol must be in place that will accommodate the needs of any travelers going to this area in order to minimize their risk of infectious disease. This requires an effective understanding of the different elements of a public health protocol that will have the intended impact on these travelers. This strategy must encompass a comprehensive approach to minimize the risk of disease as best as possible, even though the risk is extremely high in 2014.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided a level three travel warning as follows: “CDC urges all US residents to avoid nonessential travel to Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone because of an unprecedented outbreak of Ebola…CDC recommends that travelers to these countries protect themselves by avoiding contact with the blood and body fluids of people who are sick, because of the possibility they may be sick with Ebola” (2014). Under these conditions, therefore, travel to this area is strongly discouraged and is not recommended for most residents, in spite of the opportunity that is presented. Nonetheless, if travel remains a priority in spite of these recommendations, it is important to identify the specific vaccinations that are recommended and required, including the following: 1) routine vaccinations such as diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and influenza; 2) Hepatitis A; 3) Malaria; 4) Typhoid; 5) Hepatitis B; and 6) Rabies, with the latter vaccinations dependent upon the location of the travel and other considerations that may include an existing health concern or threat that must be addressed through a detailed vaccination protocol (CDC, 2014).

Another requirement for these travelers is to undertake the following precautions, such as eating and drinking safely at all times, including an examination of water sources; staying safe while indoors; avoiding the sharing of body fluids under any circumstances; preventing insect bites as best as possible; encouraging personal security; obtaining safe transportation; and knowing how to receive medical care in the event that it is required (CDC, 2014). In addition, the CDC highly recommends refraining from contact with animals, noted as follows: “Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know; do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth; avoid rodents and their urine and feces; traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals; and if you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see” (CDC, 2014). Under these conditions, it is important and necessary to avoid animal contact as much as possible, even when it is believed that a group of animals might be safe, since there is no guarantee that these animals are indeed safe and cannot inflict harm on humans.

Upon return from Sierra Leone and back into the United States, an individual traveler will be screened at customs for any risk of the Ebola virus through temperature measurements, along with other mechanisms to determine if a traveler may be at risk of developing or has already contracted the Ebola virus. In the latter case, immediate isolation would be required in order to protect the traveler’s already precarious health, along with assuming the protocol for all persons who are handling the patient by using protective clothing and other precautions. This is a critical factor in the coordination of efforts in order to ensure that the patient receives maximum attention and focus regarding the disease and the high level of risk that has been incurred. It is most important to evaluate each patient thoroughly and under the guidance of a protocol established by health experts in order to prevent any possible complications that could expose others to unnecessary risk or harm and that could influence the health and wellbeing of many other people.

The high risk of travelling to Sierra Leone in 2014 cannot be emphasized enough because it poses a threat not only to the travelers, but also those with whom they come into contact upon their return to the United States. This is an important reminder of the different issues that must be considered in travelling to West Africa in its current state, as the Ebola outbreak has not yet been contained and remains a significant threat to local residents and travelers alike. Therefore, in spite of the intent of the trip and its primary purpose, the risks of travelling to this part of the world are too high and should be taken very seriously. The warnings and threats provided by the Centers for Disease Control and other organizations should not be ignored and require a high level understanding and acceptance in order to prevent lasting and potentially fatal complications for travelers and those with whom they come into contact.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014). Health information for travelers to Sierra Leone. Retrieved from http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/sierra-leone