Emerging Communicable Diseases: Ebola

Academic Paper from the year 2018 in the subject Health - Miscellaneous, grade: na, University of Western Sydney, language: English, abstract: Infectious diseases are a constant threat to human life. Various scientific research findings since the 19th century have, however, paved the way for an improved comprehension of infectious diseases with regards to their natural history and the preventive measures to control them. These measures include vector control, immunisation, and water treatment. The implementation of these measures over the last century brought about huge victories for mankind in the battle to control infectious diseases. A good example of such victories is the eradication of smallpox in the year 1979. In recent decades nonetheless, the incidence of infectious diseases which were thought to be well controlled has increased in several locations across the world. Antimicrobial resistance is also on the rise globally and diseases which were previously unknown to man have also emerged. These issues have become global problems which require urgent assessment and resolution. This essay is an in-depth critical review of the literature on Ebola, one of the emerging communicable diseases. The essay will discuss the concept of disease emergence, provide a brief history about the Ebola virus, review the factors that have contributed to the emergence of Ebola infection, discuss some of the current policies to control this disease and make recommendations on strategies to improve on the current Ebola control policies.