Introduction
The coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, is a rapidly spreading infectious disease that has significantly impacted everyone’s life. It has altered how an individual lives, interacts, or works with others. Though numerous steps have been taken globally over a year, the virus continues to spread, negatively impacting healthcare and the economy. Studies report that at epidemiologic levels, the virus spreads through droplets or aerosols released during coughing, sneezing, singing, or talking. These virus-laden droplets can be easily inhaled by close contact with an infected person, especially in close environments. The relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, social gatherings, and non-compliant COVID-19 behavior has led to the emergence of novel mutant strains. As a result, the infectivity potential has increased, leading to an increased demand for new prevention and control strategies.
What Is an Epidemic?
An epidemic is a sudden or rapid spread of diseases affecting many people in a particular community, population, or region. An epidemic is known to affect a larger group of people than expected. Epidemics usually happen when viruses, bacteria, or other causative agents grow strong in places where they have never been found. People with weak immune responses are more vulnerable to developing such infections and are likely to get impacted by epidemics on a large scale. Epidemics can be categorized as common-source or propagated. Propagated epidemics happen when the disease gets transmitted from one individual to the other through direct or sexual contact. In contrast, common-source epidemics occur when a large group of people acquires the disease on exposure to an infectious agent. As countries face tremendous challenges in combating epidemics like COVID-19, effective prevention and treatment strategies are required to curtail the spread of the virus.
What Were the Old Epidemic Prevention and Control Strategies?
The previously implemented strategies to control epidemics like COVID-19 are listed below:
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COVID-19 Appropriate Behavior - Studies report that airborne transmission of the coronavirus is a huge cause of concern rather than surface transmission. As a result, the appropriate use of face masks, avoiding social or religious gatherings, and social distancing have become a huge priority. Hand hygiene using sanitizers is of utmost importance to prevent an epidemic. In addition, people who get anxious due to the disease outbreak must be educated and counseled with correct information through newspapers or communication campaigns. Though these measures are economical, it requires consistent efforts to change the mindset of people at all levels. However, effective preventive measures are required to prevent the community's spread of the disease.
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Contact Testing and Tracing - Epidemic diseases can rapidly spread across the country; hence adequate tracing and testing are required to control the spread. In addition, infected individuals can be placed under isolation or quarantine. However, it is a tedious task and puts huge pressure on the healthcare system. These measures are effective in the initial stages and should be continued in further stages. However, this strategy has become outdated because it requires a large sum of money and a workforce and is beyond the reach of developing nations. It is challenging to follow these strategies during community spread.
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Imposing Restrictions - The restrictions, including night curfew, weekend curfew, or lockdowns, can be the last resort because it results in huge economic loss. In addition, these restrictions hinder an individual's daily life, leading to social unrest. These measures negatively impact the economically weaker sections of society. Hence, they must be employed only in exceptional circumstances.
What Are the New Epidemic Prevention and Control Strategies?
The following new strategies can be employed to prevent and control an epidemic:
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Vaccination - Vaccination and the use of antiviral medications are the most crucial medical interventions that help reduce the mortality associated with a disease outbreak. The fast-track development and introduction of new vaccines using mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) or viral vector-based proteins have been extraordinary. The World Health Organization has approved certain vaccines for emergency use. However, the supply has to be increased to meet the demands. The advent of new technology has made it possible for researchers to develop and manufacture vaccines within six months of the outbreak. Clinical trials have provided encouraging pieces of evidence regarding the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of these vaccines. However, breakthrough infections are likely to occur because none of the vaccines are 100 percent efficacious. The good news is that vaccinated individuals can acquire the disease but do not require prolonged hospitalization.
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Public Health Measures - Public health surveillance is the backbone of disease prevention because it provides information regarding epidemic threats. In addition, surveillance helps to inform the public and provides warnings regarding disease transmission for a targeted response. Surveillance helps identify and respond to an epidemic outbreak. However, trained and efficient manpower is required to monitor public health. For example, public health professionals can perform random screening or testing of individuals after obtaining their consent. This helps in the identification of high-risk groups so that they can be hospitalized at the earliest. In addition, standardized clinical protocols must be followed throughout the country for effective patient management and to reduce the financial burden. The hospitals and intensive care units must have sufficient oxygen supply and beds to accommodate severely infected patients. People with mild infections can be treated at home to prevent undue crowding at hospitals. However, these measures require community acceptance to be successful.
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Prevention of Panic - Epidemics like COVID-19 are associated with panic, anxiety, chaos, and stress due to misinformation spread through social media or other mass communication platforms. Some people forward false messages about vaccines, diet, medications, and test results without checking their authenticity. This becomes misleading for others resulting in undue pressure on the healthcare system. Hence, it is important to keep a check on all the fake messages that are being circulated on social media. Instead, the media can constructively motivate or counsel people about adequate disease prevention strategies.
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Community Hygiene and Infection Control - Community hygiene measures have been widely accepted and help to curb the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19. The community hygiene measures are simple, including washing hands and using disinfectants or personal protective equipment, like masks, gloves, gowns, or eyewear. In addition, they also include respiratory hygiene measures, including covering the mouth or nose while coughing, sneezing, or spitting. Hence, people must be made aware of these hygiene measures and the repercussions they would have to face if they fail to follow the same. Public education campaigns play a significant role in conveying hygiene-related information.
Conclusion
Epidemics or sudden outbreaks of disease can occur at any time. Hence, it is important to follow all the prevention and control strategies to curtail the spread of infection. One must consult the doctor to stay updated regarding the new epidemic prevention and control strategies to live a healthy life.
