Assignment 2: Zoonotic Disease Response Paper

Assignment 2: Zoonotic Disease Response Paper
Zoonotic Disease Paper (Module 5) Assignment Scenario:
Rabies Outbreak in Skunks
It has been confirmed that a strain of skunk rabies has moved into an area that has never see this type of rabies transmission. Until now, only bats in the area had tested positive for rabies and the local health department is very concerned that the introduction of rabid skunks will significantly increase the potential for human and pet exposures. Currently, over 30 skunks have tested positive in this area, as well as several feral cats, a raccoon and a fox.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a zoonotic disease is defined as “a disease spread between animals and people. Zoonotic diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi” (CDC, 2017).
For this assignment, you will prepare a paper on the environmental health functions and public health responsibilities related to a zoonotic disease outbreak scenario that will be provided by your instructor. If you do not receive your scenario within 14 days of the assignment deadline, be sure to ask your instructor.
As you prepare your paper, think about your role as current or future public health professional and how you might address the scenario to effect positive social change. Consider the responsibilities and services you may be called upon to carry out for the community. Review the Learning Resources provided in this module and any other quality, relevant public health or academic resources, and think about how the core functions and essential services of public health are related to this public health zoonotic disease emergency response. Visit the Walden writing center and review your Essential Guide to APA style for writing assistance.
To Prepare:
Review the Learning Resources and the scenario the instructor provided you for this module. Think about your role as current or future environmental health/ public health professional and how you might address the scenario. Also, think about the responsibilities and services you may be called upon to carry out for the community.
To Complete:
Submit a 5-8-page paper addressing the topic you were provided.
Your paper must include the following:
• A title page, in APA format.
• Section headers, in APA format, for each section below:
o Provide a scholarly analysis of the zoonotic disease in the above scenario, highlighting the unique attributes of this illness, and support why it is a public health concern. Explain the situational background and why a public health response would be warranted.
o Describe the animal to human disease transmission process for this scenario, considering the unique epidemiology and environmental health factors that influence this disease transmission. What challenges/barriers can you expect to face, given this information?
o Describe the core public health roles and responsibilities that are key to both preventing and responding to the event. Include in your response how local, state and federal public health agencies may work together in controlling the spread of this zoonotic disease. Explain and support what resources and/or partnerships may be needed to respond to this incident.
o Describe the specific public health disease control and community protection procedures that you feel will best protect the community and support why. Discuss disease investigation and control, exposure treatment, animal disposal, and public information dissemination.
o Provide a summary/conclusion to support the public health significance and your recommendations for action to create positive social change.
• Cite the sources within your text and be sure to follow APA format.
• An APA formatted reference list at the end of your paper
Maxwell, N. I. (2014). Understanding environmental health: How we live in the world (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, L.L.C.
Chapter 3, “Living with Nature”
Section 3.4, “Natural Disasters” (pp. 104–106)
Section 3.5, “Naturally Occurring Radiation” (pp. 106–114)
Chapter 5, “Producing Manufactured Goods”
Section 5.3, “Nano-Scale Materials” (pp. 210–211)
Section 5.4, “Physical Hazards in the Workplace” (pp. 211–217)
Section 5.6, “Patterns in Exposure to the Products and Byproducts of Manufacturing” (pp. 217–221)
Chapter 7, “Living in the World We’ve Made”
Section 7.7, “Lifestyles: Things We Do, Things We Use” (pp. 330–342)
Articles for Discussion: There are two required articles for this module’s Discussion. The citations for these articles are posted in the Discussion Board area. You will need to retrieve the articles from the Walden Library.