Quarantines and Travel Bans, Coursework Example

Introduction

With the current and potentially lasting impact of infectious diseases that exist throughout the world and the timeliness of this issue, it is important to address the different types of programs that are available to provide support and to have a positive impact on residents in different nations and on the domestic front. These opportunities require a high level understanding of the different areas that impact health and that provide a basis for addressing these programs effectively and without delays in executing the objectives of these programs and in determining how they impact the health and wellbeing of people throughout the world. With the timeliness of these programs, it is necessary to develop a greater understanding of the issues that have a significant impact on residents and that provide them with some sense of security and hope in fighting infectious diseases that may reach pandemic proportions. These programs are at the global and national levels and provide a greater sense of security and an understanding of the difficult tasks that are associated with creating environments that reduce widespread panic and aim to improve tracking, coordination, and containment of these diseases as effectively as possible, given the specific circumstances that exist.

Analysis

Quarantine programs for those who are suspected of having an infectious disease or who have been diagnosed with one are an essential component in preventing the spread of disease to others. The World Health Organization (WHO) does not specifically provide quarantine programs of its own sponsorship, as this is led by government agencies within each affected country; however, they participate in providing food and non-medical supplies that will impact those in a designated quarantine zone (WHO, 2014). For example, those in the three nations in West Africa who are affected by the Ebola virus must be quarantined in the affected areas, but this does not mean that they should not receive adequate food and other supplies (WHO, 2014). Therefore, the WHO is responsible for coordinating these efforts in some of the neediest countries throughout the world, including the affected Ebola nations in West Africa (WHO, 2014). This program also prevents the mobility of persons who are affected by the disease so that they are unable to transmit it to other people (WHO, 2014).

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) coordinate the quarantine response effort for an infectious disease pandemic if it impacts the country (CDC, 2014). Specifically, the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ) is responsible for managing these efforts and in determining how to best approach travel restrictions and quarantine needs as appropriate at US borders, at airports, and within the affected communities within the United States (CDC, 2014). Currently, there are 20 Quarantine Stations in the United States that aim to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases into the United States at its borders (CDC, 2014).; however, these centers do not address the potential risks associated with travelers entering the United States by plane, such as the current situation in Texas. Therefore, this program must be examined further and changes must be made in order to accommodate current and specific needs that threaten the lives of some Americans.

The control of epidemics throughout the world requires a significant level of manpower and other efforts in order to reduce the spread of disease in many nations (CDC, 2013). Based upon the history of quarantine efforts, there are significant factors to consider that require further investigation, as this area has not been focused upon at the desired level (CDC, 2013). In this context, it is necessary to develop new strategies to improve healthcare practice that will facilitate new approaches to quarantine in response to epidemics that will have a lasting impact in preventing the spread of a given infectious disease as best as possible, given the limitations and other circumstances that exist (CDC, 2013).

Finally, the concept of quarantining individuals in order to prevent the spread of infectious disease appears to be practical on many levels, but it does not take into consideration some of the other factors that impact this practice and how those who are not infected must have comprehensive training to avoid exposure (Biello, 2014). There are significant issues to consider that have an impact on patients and that may impact larger groups of people if an epidemic is not managed properly through quarantine efforts as early as possible (Biello, 2014). These efforts also require sufficient resources and capital in order to ensure that patient care is not compromised in any way, nor is it challenged by the conditions related to lack of knowledge, training, manpower, or resources to address an epidemic and quarantine the affected individuals properly (Biello, 2014).

Conclusion

The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must provide expert knowledge and sufficient resources in order to generate a sense of relief and calm among individuals throughout the world who may face challenges related to an infectious disease or agent that must be addressed through quarantines and other efforts to minimize the damage that is incurred to patients in different settings. Therefore, the programs offered by these two agencies must be state of the art and offer the best possible resources to accommodate patients who face a direct threat of infectious disease that could impact their health and the health of those who are closest to them. Quarantine programs, therefore, must instill confidence in individuals and provide a sense of comfort and relief that will minimize panic and support acceptance of these conditions.

References

Biello, D. (2014). Quarantines and travel bans: could they work to thwart Ebola? Scientific American, retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/quarantines-and-travel-bans-could-they-work-to-thwart-ebola/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014). Lessons from the history of quarantine, from Plague to Influenza A. Retrieved from http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/2/12-0312_article

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014). Quarantine and isolation. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/

World Health Organization (2014). Ebola virus disease update – West Africa. Retrieved from http://(www.who.int/csr/don/2014_08_19_ebola/en/