Surveillance, and Disaster Planning - PDF

1Surveillance, and disaster planning
Running head: SURVEILLANCE AND DISASTER PLANNING
Surveillance, and disaster planning learning journal
Name:
Course:

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Week 8
Topic 1
The importance of mortality surveillance in the India project:
The mortality surveillance in the India project was highly effective, as tracking the deaths
by different organizations showed the discrepancies between ways of data collection, and
recording, which allowed comparisons across geographic locations. Improving the disaster death
data, is likely to improve the data accuracy, and quality of disaster related death reports (Rocha,
et al., 2017). These reports are likely to be more accurate than the death certificates. Mortality
surveillance is vital in identifying populations at risk, it could monitor the efforts done in the
disaster, and rapidly detects the outbreaks.
The surveillance tracking sheet:
The surveillance tracking sheet allows the scene investigator to record the initial evaluation of
the disaster. According to Rocha, et al. (2017), the tracking sheet includes, plans, and procedures
that describe after death operation investigations. It also, includes guidelines for reporting the
number of deaths, and death certificates to record the causes, and manners of deaths. The sheet is
used by the personnel involved in the disaster response to record information related to the event
and the victims. According to The World Health Organization (2012), it is important to find the
surveillance tracking sheet online to guarantee its regular update, and achieve the old sheets to
recall them when needed.

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The surveillance tracking sheet
Type of disaster Number of
deaths
Cause of
death
Date Comments and Follow up
Hurricane
Heat wave
Tornado
Technological
disaster
Flood
Terrorism
Earthquake
Source: Rocha, et al., 2017,
Topic 2
The importance communicable disease surveillance:
Disease surveillance is important as the number of people in infection with
communicable disease counts for millions. According to The World Health Organization (2011)
Communicable disease could be considered as a disaster, as they may cause epidemics, and
pandemics, for example, the four influenza pandemics that happened in the last century caused
over than 50 million deaths. Communicable disease surveillance can help in the fast detection of
the causes of the epidemic, and ensures rapid control. Also, it can make an early warning of new
and reemerging epidemic diseases.
Topic 3
The importance of non-communicable disease surveillance:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) lead the cause of deaths globally, according to The
World Health Organization (2010), they cause about 80% of deaths in low, and middle income
countries. It is important to map the epidemic of the NCDs, and its main causes, the data

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gathered through the surveillance process can help in reducing the main risk factors through
promoting activities, and primary prevention efforts, and providing health care services to people
already affected by the NCDs.
Tracking a non-communicable disease such as diabetes:
Diabetes could be tracked by monitoring the blood pressure levels, glycemic control, and foot
care in order to prevent being injured (World Health Organization, 2010). These tracking
methods are effective in low and middle income countries.
Four methods could be used to track diabetes incidence in Australia:
The Australian government formulated the national diabetes strategy 2016-2020 to assist
in reducing the diabetes incidence in Australia, according to The Australian government-
Department of Health (2015), four methods to track diabetes incidences are as follows:
 Access to telemedicine consultations, and the health services within the health care
providers.
 Promoting for the effective use of My Health Record by citizens, and health care
providers
 Facilitating the use of citizen engagement, and education platform.
 Supporting the health care providers with software technology to enable them to access
the national online health record.
Week 10
Topic 1
Reflection:
Caring of animals is very important, as they have rights that should be protected. The
governmental fail to include animals in planning might results in an unacceptable economic and,

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social costs. The official concern about animals' rights pleased me too much, as I care about them
especially in disaster times. Integrating animals into emergency management various stages of
the disaster cycle will lower the probability of their harm, and deaths. Also, the establishment of
the national advisory committee will enable citizens to get necessary advice in case of
emergencies. Different types of disasters require different treatments. According to National
Advisory Committee for Animals in Emergencies (n.d.), the climate change cause natural
disasters, which may prevent the livestock from food, and shelter. I believe that animals are part
of our lives, they contribute to the human wellbeing, and the failure to account for their safety
puts the human life at risk, accordingly, their integration in the disaster planning is a must.
Create: Activities which enable students to apply their new knowledge:
 Participation in preparing for disaster training program concerning animals.
 Crating social awareness publications to assist people in dealing with animals in the time
of disasters.
 Gathering all necessary information about rescuing animals at disastrous times, and
documenting them
Reflection:
 People's attitudes towards animals vary from country to another, as the western countries
love pets more than third world countries.
 Cultural aspects control the way official agencies deal with animals in the disaster time.
 It is important to consider that wild animals can feel the natural disaster before it
happens, and move from the disaster areas which can negatively affect people's lives.

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Topic 2
Rescuing animals in my native country:
Many people refuse to leave their pets and animals in the disaster time, and they insist to
rescue them. Animals' deaths due to natural disasters increase the harm feelings of humans
(International Fund for Animal Welfare, 2009). In India, the foundation of the International
Animal Rescue offers aid to suffering animals around the world. They try to return the rescued
animals to their natural environments, and provide necessary help to animals that can no longer
live in the wild. The foundation strives to increase the public awareness of ways to treat animals,
and provide training to the students and individuals to be experienced in caring of animals
(International Animal Rescue, 2012). The Blue Cross of India help in protecting animals from
humans, the climate, and other parties that have special interests, as sports, and entertainment. It
provides animals with necessary drugs, and vaccines. It could successfully pan the government
from killing Karakul lambs (Blue Cross of India, 2014). Many efforts are made by several non-
profit organizations within India to help in rescuing an animal at disaster time, and to maintain a
good life to them in normal times.
Reflection
 Managing to evacuate animal is better than rescuing them after a disaster.
 It is important to follow the instructions of the response personnel.
 It is very dangerous to try to rescue an animal in a dangerous area.
 Coordination with first responders is very important to rescue animals who are affected
by the disaster.

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Week 11
Topic 1
The geographical disaster that has impacted on me personally:
One of the most disastrous events I have ever witnessed was the earthquake, as they
frequently happen in India. The intensity of the ground shake is usually very high. The
earthquake that took place in 2015 caused severe damages in the buildings and the spirits. The
concrete structure of the buildings is not safe as it is not flexible, and could break apart easily.
The middle income neighborhoods were severely impacted than the poorest people in the poorest
areas, as their houses are often simpler in design, and made of wood, and plastic. According to
ACAPS (2012), the destruction of assets caused by floods is greater than those caused by floods.
The rubble caused by the earthquakes should be removed before reconstruction. Over the period
of 1999 to 2009, more than 91.85% of people living in the disaster areas were killed due to injury
directly caused by the collapse of buildings, and the delay in rescuing them.
Reflection:
 I realize that Hurricane Katrina did not only sever economic effect, but it also it causes a
political storm
 Top officials could lose their positions due to mismanagement in disastrous times.
 Even the USA could face troubles in disaster planning, as the case of the mismanagement
of the early evacuation of people from the disaster areas.
 Regulations should be regularly modified to get the best results in the future by learning
from previous faults.

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Topic 2
Lessons learned from the selected disaster:
Regarding the disaster of the worst massacre of Australia, when a mass shooting towards
Port Arthur with more than 640 thousand weapons turned to the authorities. The lessons learned
from this disaster reveals that differences between the politicians' point of views control the
consequences of events. The Australian government could change its gun laws as a result of the
terrible massacre in order to protect peoples' lives, but USA had a different opinion regarding
similar disaster. Also, cultural differences control the official reaction of the governments to the
disaster consequences (Grimson, 2016). The massive disaster could be a cause to major social
reforms.
Create: Discussion of the disaster that occurred in my home country and how I felt about it
at the time:
Although, tensions may take place between Muslims and Hindu from time to time, but
was never as severe as the massacre of 1948. Historically, the massive Indian massacre took
place in 1947, when India was partitioned. According to Thomson (2013), about half a million of
people died due to communal rioting. These disaster took place along the borders with Pakistan.
In 1948, another massacre took place in India after the independence from Britain, when tens of
thousands of Indians were slaughtered in Hyderabad state. Political fear of Muslim states was the
main reason behind the two terrible massacres of India. The Muslim villagers were not armed by
the Indian army, but Hindus were allowed to be armed.

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Topic 3
Forward planning that could be done to reduce the impact of a tsunami:
According to The UNESCO (2011), and The UNDP (2011), the planning towards the
reduction of the tsunami impact could be as follows:
 Enhancing the capacity of the early warning systems.
 Establishment of a national tsunami warning center.
 Preparation of the civil protection agency to respond to the warnings.
 Improve the public communication regarding the tsunami hazard.
 Develop an evacuation plan of the disaster areas.
 Assuring the safety of the buildings, and the crisis areas.
Week 12
Topic 1
Reflection:
Biological agents could take different forms, including, bacterial, viral, and toxic agents.
All of these types are very dangerous as they cause major impact on the public health resulting in
illness. The health authority should notify the medical practitioners regarding the level of threat
from the biological agent to be ready to prepare the medical practitioners to detect the diseases,
and provide a treatment to infected people. Infectious agents could cause severe diseases as
anthrax, smallpox, plague, and Ebola, they affect people immediately after exposure (Australian
Governmnet- Department of Health, 2015). Bioterrorism attacks are very harmful, which do not
occur naturally, the medical experts can differentiate them from other natural diseases. Anthrax
has a major harmful impact as a biological weapon agent as it generates large quantities of spores
that remain in the environment for long years. Food is likely to be infected with biological

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agents, and should be tested to assure it is free of infection. The Australian public health made a
response plan to respond to the chemical biological incidents, and their consequences.
Arrangements set out within the plan maintains vigilance of early detection of the causes, and
post exposure treatment. Also, the plan considers vaccination of high risk groups
(Commonwealth of Australia, 2012). It is important to make public awareness through effective
communication strategies in case the chemical biological incidents happen.
Learning:
 I realize that biological agents could take different forms that vary in their level of
danger.
 It is highly important to medical practitioners to be ready to prepare to detect the
diseases, and provide a treatment to infected people.
 It is proven that bioterrorism attacks are very harmful, which do not occur naturally
 I realize that the anthrax generates large quantities of spores that remain in the
environment for long years.
Topic 2
Human errors in the disasters:
Concerning the problem of the Malaysian Airlines flight 370, which disappeared in its journey
from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, and resulted in the death of 239 people who had been on board.
The human error occurred in the way the Malaysia Airlines - the main responsible for the flight -
communicated the families of the victims. The families are considered the main stakeholder in
this situation, but the company did not communicate the families in a human way. The company
could not reveal the true reasons behind the accident. Accordingly, rumors, conspiracy theories,
and speculations took place due to missing information from the official responsible entities

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concerning the facts behind the disappearance of the plane. Also, the families of the victims were
kept in the hotel rooms in Malaysia for weeks after the disappearance of the plane, and they
should have been sent home, and supplied with information updates regularly. The missing of the
black box, and the bodies made the situation more complicated as no explanation was provided.
The Malaysian government was accused of mismanagement of its aftermath. The contradictory
actions of the government worsen the situation (Mintz, 2014). It is obvious that the Malaysian
government was not prepared for a crisis management, as it could not respond with appropriate
actions.
Reflection:
 I believe that governments should be prepared for disasters with appropriate plans.
 In my opinion, governments should make more efforts to gather accurate information,
and reveal it to the public.
 From my point of view, public communication requires preparation to deliver
information in a suitable way.
 I believe that mismanagement of the disaster leaves a room for rumors, and low
confidence in the government.

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References
Commonwealth of Australia. (2012). Anthrax: Public health response plan for Australia.
ACAPS. (2012). Disaster summery sheet earthquakes.
Australian government- Department of health. (2015). Australian national duabetes strategy.
Australian Governmnet- Department of Health. (2015, August 04). Overview of biological
agents that could be used in a terrorist act. Retrieved from Department of Health:
http://www.health.gov.au
Blue Cross of India. (2014). 50 th annual report.
Grimson, M. (2016, April 28). Port Arthur massacre: The shooting spree that changed
Australia’s gun laws. Retrieved from NBC News: www.nbcnews.com
International Animal Rescue. (2012). Bangalore, India volunteer guide.
International Fund for Animal Welfare. (2009). Unnatural disasters.
Mintz, Z. (2014, June 16). A disastrous void: Why the MH370 public response failed . Retrieved
from International Business Times: http://www.ibtimes.com
National Advisory Committee for Animals in Emergencies. (n.d.). National planning principles
for animals in disasters.
Rocha, L., Fromknecht,, C., Davis, S., Brady, J., Hodge, S., & Noe, R. (2017). Medicolegal
death scene investigations after natural disaster- and weather-related events: A review of
the literature. Academic Forensic Pathology International.
Thomson, M. (2013, Sept. 24). Hyderabad 1948: India's hidden massacre. Retrieved from BBC
News: http://www.bbc.com

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UNDP. (2011). Risk assessment and management for tsunami hazard- Case study of hte port city
of Galle.
UNESCO. (2011). Reducing and managing the risk of tsunamis.
World Health Organization. (2010). Global status report on on noncommunicable diseases.
World Health Organization. (2011). Disaster risk management for health communicable
diseases.
World Health Organization. (2012). Tracking sheet expolratory notes.