Spring Ville Outbreak Investigation
Storyboard Text
- Slide: 1
- As the outbreak task team, we have seen an increased number of cases confirming that there is an outbreak.
- Welcome! Today we will be discussing the mysterious disease outbreak in Springville. Over to you Mayor Goodwill.
- Good day fellow citizens, with me is our public health specialist, outbreak task team representative and communication specialist. They will be providing guidance on how to contain this outbreak in Springville.
- Journalist is with the mayor of Springville, outbreak task team representative, public health specialist and the health communication specialist to address the community of Springville on the disease outbreak.
- Slide: 2
- Our public health specialist, Mr Chikunga, will then elaborate on their approach.
- We will be investigating this rare disease to identify the source and contributing factors. We want to ensure that control measures are implemented to prevent further spread. We will start by defining the case, identifying its area of origin, those infected and their clinical features. We will also look for laboratory confirmation where applicable.
- The Task Team Representative, Mrs Naidoo, is introducing the Public Health Specialist, Mr Chikunga, who will further elaborate on their approach to combat the disease outbreak.
- Slide: 3
- Standardised questionnaires will be used to gather data on clinical information, risk factors and demographics including age, gender and occupation. Interviews will be conducted to find out what the exposures were. We will also set up passive surveillance systems for clinicians and laboratories to report all new cases. An epidemic curve will be created using the collected data to display the distribution of cases over time and to pinpoint the kind of outbreaks
- Mr Chikunga is describing how data will be collected and analysed.
- Slide: 4
- At-least the public is getting a better understanding now Mr Chikunga.
- Additionally, we want to determine who's at risk and what risk factors increase their vulnerability by the use of maps which indicate where the cases are located. Our main aim is to get to the source of the outbreak. We've then come up with a question which will help us to identify the possible exposure of this unknown disease and then we'll look into doing a case-control study since the entire population of Springville is at risk.
- Mr Chikunga further explains who's at risk and how they will identify the possible exposure of this unknown disease.
- Slide: 5
- Thank you Mr Chikunga, can you kindly elaborate on what a Case-Control Study is.
- Basically, it's an analytical investigation that allows us to compare groups and measure the strength of association. Considering that we currently lack a clear list of all those who have been exposed and those who are not, we will focus on this that have the disease. Additionally, we will select a few cases with the database to investigate which is known as a sample, and the controls, those without the disease, will be selected from the same community.
- Journalist asks Mr Chikunga for a deeper explanation on what a Case-Control Study is.
- Slide: 6
- Upon investigation results, we will then recommend disease control and prevention measures such as treatment, vaccines and implementation of policies to protect the public. We will also be able to address the source of exposure. Thank you
- Thank you Mr Chikunga, please share your final sentiments so that we can allow Mr Sibiya to close with his statement to the public.
- I would like to reassure everyone that they will receive frequent media updates on multiple media outlets providing up-to date information on the disease outbreak in order to prevent panic and confusion. These media platforms may also be used by the public to raise concerns and enquiries which will be answered by public health experts.Various protective and preventative measures will also be shared on these platforms. Public health experts will also provide clinicians with the latest guidelines and reports to help case management and investigation. Once the experts complete their investigation, we will provide the relevant stakeholders with a thorough report on the outbreak inquiry. I thank you.
- Closing statements are shared by both Mr Chikunga and Mr Sibiya.
- Slide: 7
- Thank you. Over the past 30 days, the mysterious disease has infected 55 980 individuals, affecting approximately 8.9% of the regional population of 625 000. The outbreak spread across town is under continuous investigation.
- Welcome back to another session of our media briefing with our researchers of this disease.
- During our research, data is collected through polls where associated symptoms are collected from healthcare facility patients then high risk community members are asked to select those that apply to them. Data is presented in bar charts to see the trend and to choose the most picked symptom. Symptoms that have been displayed on our pamphlets have been studied to be associated with this disease. Research has recommended vaccination against the disease.
- Representatives return for a second public briefing.
- Slide: 8
- Theres a question directed to our public health specialist from our listeners, "How are symptoms of this disease classified and how would I know when to be alarmed and to quickly report to our nearest healthcare facility?"
- From the cases at hand, mild to moderate symptoms which are fever, cough, fatigue, headache, loss of taste and smell, sore throat, pain across multiple body muscles which are seen in 80% of patients, while 20% experiences severe symptoms such as pneumonia and skin rash thus requiring immediate hospitalisation. Should you experience more than 3 of these symptoms, you should report to your nearest healthcare facility to rule out or confirm the disease and be treated accordingly.
- A listener has asked a question on classification of the disease and Mrs Naidoo has provided an answer.
- Slide: 9
- We have also invited Mr Van der Merwe, who is a pathologist who will tell us more about the discovery of new Covid-19 Variant. He will explain how it is transmitted, prevention and treatment options as Mrs Naidoo has told us the symptoms earlier.
- Thank you. The causative agent of this new variant is Covid-19 Shasha, it is transmitted through respiratory droplets between affected and healthy individuals, surface contact and aerosols in poor ventilated areas. Crowded areas increases risk of infection. When it gets inside our lungs it replicates itself and multiplies, the body immune system will then attempt to fight it off in some people the virus dies, we are looking at 80% of the studied population while in some it progresses to become sepsis leading to acidosis, most affected patients die from the complications .
- Mr Van der Merwe, a pathologist, joins in to explain what the virus is and how it spreads.
- Slide: 10
- Main risk factors include older people, above 65 years, those with underlying conditions like diabetes and heart diseases and those in crowded or poorly ventilated settings. RT-PCR where samples are taken by nasopharyngal swabbing remains the best method of diagnosis. Rapid antigen test is also available for diagnosing Covid-19 Shasha variant. Preventative measures include; wearing of mask, social distancing, hand hygiene and vaccination especially with updated boosters. For treatment, high risk individuals can benefit from antivirals like Paxolovid, Malnupiravie or Remdesivir while monoclonal antibodies such as Sotrovimab are used in severe cases. Early treatment and prevention through vaccination are critical.
- Mr van der Merwe continues with his explanation.
- Slide: 11
- Some people say the vaccine isn't fully tested and that it will make them sick. There are rumours about where the disease came from. Many don't trust the government , and some don't want the vaccine for cultural reasons. How can we trust that the vaccine is safe?
- I understand your concerns. The vaccine has gone through careful testing by different laboratories to make sure it's safe and works well. We measure people's opinions to know what worries them, so we can answer those questions clearly and honestly. We understanding your concerns, we can provide the right information and build trust. Vaccines will help us from experiencing severe symptoms of the disease and your safety is our top priority.
- Mrs Naidoo addresses the question of the safety of the vaccine.
- Slide: 12
- If anyone in our community is experiencing symptoms similar to those reported, we urge you to call our free hotline number at 0800 123 456. Our specialised healthcare team is available to assist you. Our health facilities are also available for screening and testing.
- In closing we would like to thank everyone who participated in this outbreak investigation and I would like to urge the public to use these preventative measures as they will be circulated in all media platforms and to seek medical assistance if having symptoms. Thank you.
- Mayor Goodwill and Mrs Naidoo close the briefing session.
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