ROLE OF PATIENT AND FAMILY IN MITIGATING OUTBREAKS

Abstract

In the past 20 years or more and until now many outbreaks attacked different areas all over the world. Most of them
have occurred in the developing countries. This review aims at highlighting the role of patient guided by epidemiologist and infection preventionist in combating outbreaks and pandemics. A pandemic is an epidemic (outbreak) occurring on a scale which crosses international boundaries, usually affecting a large number of people. a pandemic is
a global outbreak. Influenza, Middle East Respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV), HIV/AIDS, Ebola,
Zika, Cholera, Polio are examples of these outbreaks. Wild aquatic birds are the natural hosts for a range
of influenza A viruses (e.g., H5N1, H5N8), occasionally, viruses are transmitted from these species to other species,
and may then cause outbreaks in domestic poultry and or rarely in humans. Since April 2012, MERS‐CoV have
been reported in Arabian Gulf countries especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The role camel is questionable
especially if we know that some cases have no history of contact to camel. AIDS is currently a pandemic, with infection rates as high as 25% in southern and eastern Africa. Effective national education about safer sexual practices
and blood borne infection precautions training have helped to slow down infection rates in several African countries.
Ebola had emerged in three West African Countries namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Libra to spread to other
neighboring countries. The close contact of patient and his family with the infected vector (fruit bat or monkey),
beside the limited infrastructure in healthcare facilities increased the contiguity of the serious illness or even death.
On Feb. 1, 2016, the WHO declared "the cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders a health
emergency" and called for concerted efforts to curb the spread of Zika (the mosquito-borne virus Zika). Knowing
the hazards and how to protect yourself and your patient is the key to patient safety. Standard precautions (SP) are
the most effective means of preventing transmission of outbreaks and some other infections as multidrug resistant
bacteria. These include hand hygiene (HH), personal protective equipments (PPEs, as gloves, masks, googles, caps,
and gowns), cough etiquette, environmental cleaning and sharps management. International health authorities such
as WHO and national healthcare facilities are now prepared to involve patient / family in IPC measures including
HH, PPEs, environmental cleaning, waste disposal, etc. Posters, brushers, YouTube, Facebook and other social media will help in teaching patient the route of transmission, precautions against infection, his right to ask HCWs to
wash their hands and/or to wear PPEs. Last but not least patient / family and visitor have an active role in mitigating
the spread of these outbreaks in hospital, at home and community during, after or even before their spread. They
should be alert and listen carefully to the instruction of their doctor and nurse. They should also recognize that HH
is the most effective tool in preventing the spread of most infections and to wear PPEs gloves or mask when in need.
Their cooperation in keeping an environment clean and safe will also help preventing outbreaks.