Detailed Analysis: Emergence Response Plan in Non-Communicable Disease

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of an emergence response plan for Ebola virus disease. It begins with an introduction to the Ebola virus, its transmission, and the risk factors associated with outbreaks. The report emphasizes the importance of community engagement and social mobi...Read More

Running head: EMERGENCE RESPONSE PLAN IN NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 1
Emergence Response Plan in non-Communicable Disease
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EMERGENCE RESPONSE PLAN IN NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 2
Emergence Response Plan in non-Communicable Disease
Introduction
Ebola virus disease is a very dangerous disease that is transmitted from wild animals to human
being. The fatality rate of the disorder is estimated to be 50 percent. The first outbreak of the
virus causing disease was reported in Congo in the year 1976 (Tambo, Ugwu & Ngogang, 2014).
Since from that time, the outbreak of the virus has continued to affect people from different
countries especially these living in Africa. The African countries which have had Ebola outbreak
history include Ivory Coast, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Republic of
the Congo, Sudan and West African countries. The most recent outbreak was reported in Guinea
and its surrounding countries Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone all located in West Africa
(World Health Organization, 2014). This outbreak is considered to be the largest in virus history
whereby most deaths were reported. Besides, in Australia, there has been a case of Ebola virus
disorder outbreak.
The Ebola virus is transmitted from wild animals to human being and it is known to spread
through man to man transmission. According to (Gostin & Friedman, 2015), Ebola virus is
known to infect and cause disorder to wild animals such as chimpanzees, monkeys, and gorillas
which is then spread by these animals to human beings. There are some risk factors that are
understood to have caused the chances of Ebola virus outbreak. Such risk factors include
individuals who are living in or nearby affected areas of Africa. The other risk factors is when
caring for individuals infected with Ebola virus and coming into contact with the body or fluid of
an infected individual or animals, or eating wild animals infected with Ebola virus (Gostin &
Friedman, 2015). It is transmitted from an individual to another via direct contact with body

EMERGENCE RESPONSE PLAN IN NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 3
fluids, secretions or through broken skin. The body fluid through which it is spread includes
vomit, urine, sweat, semen, and blood or breast milk. Transmission of the virus is also known to
occur via direct contact with objects which contains body fluids contaminated with Ebola virus.
As per the research, (Gostin & Friedman, 2015), the Ebola virus is known to target the host’s
immune system and the blood which results in a weakened immune system and bleeding. The
incubation period of the virus is between two to twenty-one days after which its characterized
symptoms occur. The symptoms and complications of Ebola virus include a headache, sore
throat, weakness, diarrhea, reduced kidney, and liver function and fever. Other symptoms
include measles-like rash, vomiting and muscle pains.
Community engagement and social mobilization
Sustained community engagement and social mobilization can play a key role in building
trust and confidence in response to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease. For the last years, there
have been fears and rumors about the disease. Many people have lost their loved ones as a result
of lack of knowledge about Ebola virus disease thus there is the need for everyone to be engaged
and mobilized for an emergency plan for the outbreak of the disease (Shuaib et al.,2015). In this
case, community engagement will be crucial in determining new Ebola Virus disorder cases and
tracing contacts of individuals who have been suffering from the disorder or have died as a result
of the disorder. In this effort, community members will require training in different aspects of the
response for safely and effective contribution of stopping the spreading of the disorder (World
Health Organization, 2014).
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EMERGENCE RESPONSE PLAN IN NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 4
Response Strategy
The response strategies of Ebola virus disease is based on primary interventions and the
implementation of the plan will be supported by the ministry of health among other partners with
specific expertise. They include:
Risk communication and social mobilization
Proactively engaging the affected communities and those at risk should be timely, accurate
and effective. This involves providing accurate health advice and encouraging positive health-
seeking behaviors in communities who are at risk of Ebola epidemic (Gillespie, et al., 2016). It
also involves addressing community concerns and rumors that may affect the prevention and
control of the epidemic. Some of the strategies for the risk communication and community
engagement which is understood to consider all cultures, traditions, linguistics economic
background and religion in relation to the Ebola outbreak have to be considered as significant
and closely be worked on by all health workers, religious leaders, traditional healers, teachers,
and community leaders.
Such strategies include:
Public awareness and social mobilization
Every individual in the community has the rights to have enough knowledge of the risks they
face due to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease. This is important as this will enable them to
make appropriate and informed decisions to protect themselves, their family members and their
community at large. In this case, social media, traditional media, and telephone hotline are
significant as they can be used to regular updates as the incidences evolve. Besides, carrying out

EMERGENCE RESPONSE PLAN IN NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 5
massive mass awareness campaigns and social mobilization activities are should be considered in
order to maintain vigilance in areas which have not had Ebola Virus disease cases (Abramowitz,
et al., 2015). Mass awareness campaigns are also useful as they provide important information
such as safe practices. The mass awareness also plays a critical role in providing knowledge of
early signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease and seeking early treatment.
Some of the key activities that will be involved in public awareness and social mobilization
strategy include regular timely updates across all media platforms such as press releases, media
briefings, social media and information on websites. Other key activities will involve the
development of public health messages and written materials which can provide more
information via traditional media channels and establishment of media and rumor monitoring
concern mechanisms where community issues can be addressed in an effective manner.
Community engagement with high-risk communities
Local and traditional leaders should be supported in taking leadership in stopping the
transmission of Ebola disease right from the beginning of the outbreak. Engagement with each
person within the communities which are at high risk of Ebola outbreak via community forums,
house to house visits, focus group discussions and interpersonal communication should be
encouraged in order to address community health issues (Bell, 2016). Furthermore, these
activities should be carried out in order t help in early recognition of symptoms of the Ebola
virus, safe and dignified burial practices, and early treatment of the outbreak.
The strategy will involve key activities such as regular meetings with traditional leaders and
healers, community leaders and key influential community groups including teachers, health
workers and religious groups (Frieden & Damon, 2015). The youth groups and women’s groups

EMERGENCE RESPONSE PLAN IN NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 6
will also be included to offer support for leadership on the Ebola virus disorder prevention
activities at community level. Besides, development of joint plans and establishment monitoring
approaches that can address the epidemic rumors that can result in wrong information will be
applied in this strategy.
Social science operational research
One of the significant components that help in the provision of information on the Ebola
virus outbreak response teams is a social science and operational research (Cenciarelli, et al.,
2015). The strategy targets the social and cultural context of local communities regarding the
outbreak of the disease which should be highly considered while drafting prevention and control
strategies for the outbreak. The operational researchers who can help in rapid community
assessments via the utilization of anthropological research approach should be set in order to
help responders in better understanding crucial health issues regarding the outbreak of the Ebola
Virus (Shuaib et al., 2015).
The key activities that will be involved in this strategy are conducting social science
operation research, behavioral interviews, attitude survey practices and communications surveys
regarding the beliefs and understanding of the outbreak of Ebola Virus (Nasidi, 2014). This will
give each individual from the community to have a better chance of understanding the outbreak
better. It will also provide a chance of identifying crucial underlying community practices that
can contribute to undermining of outbreak prevention strategies and control.

EMERGENCE RESPONSE PLAN IN NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 7
Conclusions
Ebola virus disease is a very dangerous disease that is transmitted from wild animals to
human being. Its outbreak is known to cause negative impact on the social, economic and
political of the nation. Besides, it has impacts on the physical and mental health of individuals
who are affected by the virus (Chan, 2014). Sustained community engagement and social
mobilization can play the key role in building trust and confidence in response to the outbreak of
Ebola virus disease. For the last years, there have been fears and rumors about the disease. Many
people have lost their loved ones as a result of lack of knowledge about Ebola virus disease thus
there is the need for everyone to be engaged and mobilized for an emergency plan for the
outbreak of the disease (Nasidi, 2014). In this case, community engagement will be crucial in
determining new Ebola Virus disorder cases and tracing contacts of individuals who have been
suffering from the disorder or have died as a result of the disorder.
In this effort, community members require training in different aspects of the response to
the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (World Health Organization, 2014). In conclusion, the
community-based strategy of community engagement and social mobilization is effective in
reducing and controlling the extent of Ebola virus transmission. Furthermore, successful
practical experience to minimize the risk of the epidemic especially in communities with poor
resources is crucial for the global community to fight against the disorder.

EMERGENCE RESPONSE PLAN IN NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 8
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