How to Establish an Outbreak - Essay Sample

Introduction

The simplest way to establish an outbreak in the cruise ship is looking at the symptoms of the infection. Acute gastrointestinal illness such as nono virus is associated with cruise ships. The case study suggests that after spending three days in the cruise ship, 50 passengers developed diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. These are the essential and primary symptoms of norovirus. The outbreak as a result of food poisoning since the victims attended a banquet the night before the onset of the symptoms. Food poisoning causes rapid diarrhea and vomiting within hours after consuming lousy food. The main cause includes toxins from germs developing in food left out for a long time. According to the Lun, Ressler, Ferson, and White (2017), norovirus is extremely contagious, and one can get an infection from polluted food or water, interaction with an infected person through contact, and also touching contaminated surfaces. These lead to stomach inflation which causes nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and throwing up. The condition is common in cruise ships because people joining the ship might bring the virus to the crew and other passengers (Lun, Ressler, Ferson, & White, 2017). There are also close living quarters in the cruise ships which increases the probability of group contact. It is because of this reason that the outbreak affected 50 people.

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Measures to Verify Diagnosis of Norovirus

As previously stated, the diagnosis of the outbreak depends on the symptoms. It is possible to verify the outbreak by conducting tests on a stool sample. If an individual has health problems or is immunocompromised, it is essential to employ a stool test as a way of confirming the presence of norovirus.

Freeland (2016) explains that the virus is present in diarrhea and vomit of sick individuals. The people nearby can get an infection through swallowing the tiny droplets in the air. It is also spread if an infected individual fails to wash their hands, or if an individual with the illness handles water, ice or food. The virus is also common on surfaces such as sink taps and countertops and can survive for an extended period on such surfaces if not cleaned properly. One can become ill after touching the surfaces using the hands and pacing the hands on the mouth.

The infection can also be verified by looking into the type of food that the 50 passengers took. There are some foods which can be contaminated with the virus at the source. Some of these foods include shellfish which can be contaminated by sewage water before harvesting.

Working Case Definition

It is possible to define outbreaks on clinical diagnosis and confirm the condition through conducting laboratory immediately after an outbreak is declared, and faecal specimens collected for testing. Medical practitioners make decisions depending on the preliminary clinical symptoms of cases. The clinical symptoms permit early detection of the outbreak and prompt health response. Kaplan developed an epidemiological and clinical criterion for the outbreak of norovirus since diagnosing the condition in the laboratory was impervious (Fisher, Almanza, Behnke, Nelson & Neal, 2018). The criteria involved vomiting in less than 50% affected individuals, the median or mean development period of 24-48 hours, and duration ailment of 12-60 hours; and deficiency of bacteriological pathogen in stool specimens.

How to Find Cases and Record Information

There are tools and technologies which are essential in the diagnosis process of an outbreak. I will employ electronic clinical documentation to establish the cases and record information. Electronic documentation provides prompts and ensures continuity, coordination and follow up.

How to Communicate Findings

The crucial way I will employ in communicating the results is coming up with a final diagnosis report. I will also use electronic communication methods.

References

Fisher, J. J., Almanza, B. A., Behnke, C., Nelson, D. C., & Neal, J. (2018). Norovirus on cruise ships: Motivation for handwashing?. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 75, 10-17.

Freeland, A. L. (2016). Acute gastroenteritis on cruise ships-United States, 2008-2014. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 65.

Lun, J. H., Ressler, K. A., Ferson, M. J., & White, P. A. (2017). Norovirus and cruise ships. Microbiology Australia, 38(4), 187-190.