2)¨**********APA norms  ( All paragraphs need to be cited properly. All responses must be in a narrative format and each paragraph must have at least 4 sentences) 4) **********References from the last 5 years 5) The points don’t be must copied in the work. It must be identified by numbers. For example: 1.  Communicable and Infectious disease is …………………………. 2.  The principles related are…………………….. 3. The three focus areas are……………. ___________________________________________________ and identify 3 community infectious outbreaks such as measles and develop the assignment. ________________________________________________________

In recent years, there has been a growing concern regarding the spread of communicable and infectious diseases in communities. These diseases pose significant challenges to public health, as they can easily be transmitted from person to person and have the potential to cause widespread outbreaks. In order to effectively address and manage these outbreaks, it is crucial to understand the principles and focus areas related to communicable and infectious diseases.

1. Communicable and infectious diseases refer to illnesses caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These diseases can be transmitted through various means, including direct contact, airborne droplets, contaminated food or water, and insect bites. Examples of communicable and infectious diseases include measles, influenza, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. These diseases have the potential to spread rapidly within communities and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not properly controlled.

2. The principles related to communicable and infectious diseases are based on the understanding of how these diseases are transmitted and how they can be prevented and controlled. One key principle is the concept of transmission routes, which refers to the ways in which the infectious agent is spread from one person to another. Understanding the specific transmission routes of a disease is crucial in implementing appropriate preventive measures. For example, the transmission route of measles is primarily through respiratory droplets, highlighting the importance of promoting hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette to prevent its spread.

Another principle is the concept of immunity and vaccination. Vaccination plays a vital role in preventing communicable diseases by stimulating the body’s immune response to produce antibodies against the specific pathogen. Achieving high vaccination coverage in the community contributes to herd immunity, which helps protect vulnerable individuals who are unable to receive immunizations. However, vaccine hesitancy and misinformation can pose challenges to achieving optimal vaccination rates, leading to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles.

3. The three focus areas for addressing communicable and infectious diseases in communities are prevention, surveillance, and response. Prevention involves implementing measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission, such as promoting good hygiene practices, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and advocating for vaccination. Surveillance refers to the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to monitor the occurrence, distribution, and trends of diseases in a community. It serves as an early warning system for detecting outbreaks and guiding public health interventions. Response includes activities aimed at controlling and mitigating the impact of disease outbreaks, such as case identification and isolation, contact tracing, and implementing infection control measures in healthcare settings.

In recent years, there have been several community infectious outbreaks that have garnered significant attention. One such outbreak is the measles outbreak that occurred in the United States in 2019. The outbreak was largely driven by low vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy, leading to over 1,200 confirmed cases in multiple states. This outbreak highlighted the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage and addressing vaccine misinformation and hesitancy.

Another example is the Zika virus outbreak that occurred in various countries in the Americas in 2015-2016. Zika virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites and can also be sexually transmitted. The outbreak raised concerns due to its association with severe birth defects, particularly microcephaly, in newborns of infected mothers. This outbreak emphasized the need for effective mosquito control measures, education on safe sexual practices, and access to prenatal care for pregnant women.

Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic that emerged in late 2019 has had a profound impact on communities worldwide. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of rapid and effective public health responses, including testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine measures, and the development and administration of vaccines to control the spread of the virus.

In conclusion, communicable and infectious diseases pose significant challenges to public health. Understanding the principles and focus areas related to these diseases is crucial for effective prevention, surveillance, and response. Recent community infectious outbreaks such as measles, Zika virus, and COVID-19 have underscored the importance of vaccination, surveillance, and rapid public health responses in controlling and mitigating the impact of these diseases. By applying evidence-based strategies and addressing vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and other barriers, communities can work towards reducing the burden of communicable and infectious diseases.