Question

In your OWN words, provide numbered responses to the following questions regarding Modules 3 & 4 content.

Poisonings with chemical X occurs when a person has skin contact with the chemical and it builds up in the body over long periods (months to years). Chemical X causes mental and physical impairments. Even small amounts of chemical X can cause harm in children younger than 5. Chemical X treated wood in old structures such as playground equipment, park benches, fences, and decks is the most common source of chemical X. Children that live in older neighborhoods and adults who work in landscaping are the most often affected by chemical X poisoning. Answer the following questions regarding chemical X poisoning using your knowledge of the epidemiological triangle.

In the epidemiological triangle for chemical X poisoning what is the agent? (2 pts)

In the epidemiological triangle for chemical X poisoning what is one susceptible host risk factor? (2 pts)

In the epidemiological triangle for chemical X poisoning what is one environmental risk factor? (2 pts)

Propose one action that could prevent chemical X poisonings in a community AND state which corner(s) or leg(s) of the epidemiological triangle would be disrupted by your proposed action to prevent disease. (4 pts)

Is chemical X poisoning an infectious or a noninfectious disease? Explain your reasoning. (3 pts)

A patient with chemical X poisoning is followed during the course of their illness and data is collected on the patient’s characteristics such as age, gender, and health history, the course of their disease including diagnosis, signs, symptoms, and complications, and their history of possible exposures to chemical X. Is this a case report, case series, ecological study, or case control study? (2 pts)

Zoonotic influenza occurs when influenza viruses of pigs or birds infect humans and then mutate to be able to be transmitted easily from human to human. Transmission occurs directly and indirectly by respiratory droplets and through contact with contaminated objects. Influenza is a vaccine preventable disease.

A group of chickens that were identified as the source of a zoonotic influenza virus were killed to break the chain of transmission to prevent disease in the human population. In 1-2 sentences state whether this action prevented disease by reducing the number of reservoirs, interrupting the mode of transmission, or reducing the number of susceptible hosts, then explain the link in the chain which was disrupted. (3 pts)

Explain how herd immunity can prevent major epidemics of disease in a population. Be sure to demonstrate that you understand how herd immunity is achieved and what epidemics are in your response. (4 pts)

Answer 1

Chemical X poisoning

• Agent –Agentive is the causative factor in the epidemiological triad. In chemical X poisoning, Arsenic is the agent. From the details given, chromatic copper arsenate is the chemical used to treat old wooden structures and arsenic could be the chemical causing poisoning.
• Host – Host is the person affected by the disease. One of the host risk factor as mentioned is skin contact with the chemical.
• Environment –In the epidemiological triangle, Environment is the surrounding. An environmental risk factor in Chemical X poisoning is old neighbourhood with old wooden items
• An action that could prevent chemical x poisoning in the community could be identification and removal of old wooden structures. It disrupts the environment exposure and removes the environment corner from the epidemiological triangle thereby stopping the risk of chemical X poisoning
• Chemical X poisoning is a non infectious disease because it does not spread from one person to person. It is because of exposure to the chemical. An infectious disease spreads from one person to another person.
• A case report is a report about a case of the disease of a single patient. A patient with chemical x poisoning followed and reported about the course of disease is a case report.

Zoonotic influenza

• In zoonotic diseases, animals or birds are the modes through which disease is transmitted. Chickens killed prevented the disease by interrupting the mode of transmission.
• Herd immunity is the immunity acquired through vaccinating. It is the resistance developed to a communicable disease within a population when most population is immunized. When this is achieved epidemics can be prevented and disease can be eradicated