In the previous blog post we explored the beginnings of epidemiology and how it began a transition in our understanding of how illness is spread. Through out this post we will explore how far our understanding of illness progression has come and how modern day epidemiology looks. Thanks to continuous education and the access modern technology gives us we are able to respond to and more quickly treat serious diseases then ever before. Thanks to the foundation set by our predecessors we are able to ensure the health of more people now then ever before.
Something happened this past week, maybe you have heard of it Novel Coronavirus. My original plan was to discuss epidemiology at a later week however the time seemed far to appropriate to discuss it.
This map is slightly outdated at the time of publishing this blog. Canada now has 4 confirmed cases one of which is in the city I work, London Ontario. What has been interesting about this virus from an epidemiology standpoint is that this type of virus has never previously caused infection in humans. Nearly every human becomes ill with a coronavirus at one point of their lives or another (the common cold) however this strain of virus had never previously caused infection in humans hence Novel Coronavirus.
Thanks to health education and our understanding of diseases process’ the global medical community has been able to respond quite well to this new virus. Proper precautions for health care workers have been taken because we know that this type of virus is passed through droplets (saliva and mucous often from sneezing or coughing). Patients with symptoms have been isolated from others in order to prevent vulnerable populations (Young, Elderly, Immuno-compromised) from contracting the virus.
Amazingly the global community appears to be working very well together to combat this new medical threat and already companies and universities are attempting to develop a vaccine against this virus.
Compared to the labour intensive process that John Snow would have undergone in the 1850s attempting to identify which well water supply is getting people sick we are now able to track the spread of illness faster and respond to it more appropriately then ever before.
Resources
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/coronaviruses/
Learning How To Care 
Hi Gregory,
I am so happy to read your post with regards to health care as it is extremely applicable in my profession of paramedicine. I personally know the Toronto paramedics that brought the first case of Novel Coronavirus into Sunnybrook Hospital! It is definitely a scary time in health care. As a front line paramedic, I become easily concerned about the dissemination of health care information, especially in acute events such as the Novel Coronavirus. There was little to no education for us front line workers to become informed of this virus to the best of the global knowledge. There always seems to be an imbalance on identifying current and future needs. I wholeheartedly agree that finding a vaccine is crucial to potential epidemics. In comparison, events such as mental health issues tend to only have retroactive approach, rather than a prophylactic macro scale approach. Where do you think the line is drawn? What type of evidence is needed to create a regime for a good balance? Those are some of the questions I have for the dissemination of information and treatment options in health care.
Thank you for all you do!
Aaron Tran
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Hi Gregory,
You are right that your posting is timely. A week later and the argument your present seems even more relevant. As a non-medical person, I rely on current and valid information to guide my decisions. The amount of misinformation on the internet is worrisome and people who seek answers need digital literacy skills to navigate the Internet and to find accurate information.
Mariette
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