Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
James, James J.
Introduction
We are all too aware of the first epidemic - over 120,000 cases reported from well over a 100 countries with some 4,500 deaths and another 6,000+ severe or critical cases. Large outbreaks have occurred, and local medical facilities overwhelmed with many hospitals literally turned into war zones with medical personnel surrounded by suffering and death and having little at their disposal to combat the microscopic foe. From the perspective of the individual healthcare worker, trained in the ethos of individual care, this is a real and harrowing experience; for those not yet infected such images, well publicized in traditional and social media, naturally lead to feelings of concern and vulnerability. With widespread concern and alarm governments activate measures in an attempt to contain the epidemic. Such measures include quarantines, isolation, and travel restrictions in an effort to prevent introduction of the causative agent and/or its spread.
Keywords
Epidemiology