Lecture 4.1: Health Protection and Control of Infectious Diseases Flashcards
What is Infectious Disease Epidemiology?
Seeks to understand patterns of infectious disease within populations, to work towards controlling those diseases
How does Health Protection Services work for Infectious Disease?
• Surveillance and control of new and re-emerging infections (e.g. TB)
• Surveillance and control of STIs and blood borne viruses
• Infection control and anti-microbial resistance
• Control of epidemics & pandemics
• Working with other specialists; national and international
What is a Reservoir?
The reservoir is a host which allows the pathogen to live, and possibly
grow, and multiply
Humans, animals and the environment can all be reservoirs for microorganisms
What is a Vector?
A host (unaffected) that carries a pathogen without injury to itself and spreads the pathogen to susceptible organisms
Disease Occurrence in Populations: Sporadic
Occasional cases occurring at irregular intervals
Disease Occurrence in Populations: Endemic
Continuous occurrence at an expected frequency over a certain period of time and in a certain geographical location
Disease Occurrence in Populations: Epidemic/ Outbreak
Occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness with a frequency clearly in excess of normal expectancy
Disease Occurrence in Populations: Pandemic
Epidemic involves several countries or continents, affecting a large population
What were the 4 phases of the UK’s COVID response?
1) Contain
2) Delay
3) Research
4) Mitigate
UK’s COVID Response: Contain
Early case detection, intense contact tracing to prevent disease from embedding in the community
UK’s COVID Response: Delay
Slow the spread, delay the peak and push it away from winter
UK’s COVID Response: Research
Diagnostics, drugs and vaccines
UK’s COVID Response: Mitigate
Focus on those critically unwell and maintain essential services
To whom are notifiable diseases reported to?
Health Security Agency (HSA) formerly PHE (Public Health England)
