Communicable Disease and Homeland Security: An Assessment of the US 2014 Ebola Incident
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Eric R. Taylor
Abstract
During October 2014, the US experienced several cases of Ebola viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). These occurrences arose from infected people entering the US including as well, physicians and nurses contracting the disease in the course of rendering medical care to the infected. The extent of the outbreak, as limited as it fortunately was, revealed problems in preparedness and the technical protocols followed in dealing with such a virulent disease pathogen. It may even serve as a warning that US policies and practices in dealing with hyper-infectious and seriously communicable disease have fallen short and require technically critical reassessment in how the US should or may need to respond to such incurable pathogens that enter the country, regardless if a natural or a terrorist mediated event. The issue of individual rights against quarantine also arises. This paper offers examination and suggestions for official responses to safeguard the health and rights of all.
©2015 by De Gruyter
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Communications
- Reflections on 40 Years in the Hazards and Disasters Community
- Opinion
- Communicable Disease and Homeland Security: An Assessment of the US 2014 Ebola Incident
- Border Security: Defining it is the Real Challenge
- Tax Stimulus: The Third Direction for U.S. Government Cybersecurity Policy
- Research Articles
- Reducing Public Health Risk During Disasters: Identifying Social Vulnerabilities
- Healthcare Workers’ Willingness to Report to Work During an Influenza Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review
- Understanding Comprehension Levels of Emergency Notifications by Limited English Proficient US Residents: Case Study of Korean-Americans in New York City
- Bioterrorism and Local Agency Preparedness: Results from an Experimental Study in Risk Communication
- Human Resource Management Practices to Support Emotional Labor in Emergency Response
- Examining Coordination in Disaster Response Using Simulation Methods
- A Genetic Algorithm Based Approach to Provide Solutions for Emergency Aid Stations Location Problem and a Case Study for Pendik/İstanbul
- A Socio-Demographic Analysis of Responses to Terrorism
- Are Emergency Departments in Istanbul Ready for the Earthquakes? Past Experience and Suggestions for Future Preparedness from Employees’ Viewpoint and the Literature
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Communications
- Reflections on 40 Years in the Hazards and Disasters Community
- Opinion
- Communicable Disease and Homeland Security: An Assessment of the US 2014 Ebola Incident
- Border Security: Defining it is the Real Challenge
- Tax Stimulus: The Third Direction for U.S. Government Cybersecurity Policy
- Research Articles
- Reducing Public Health Risk During Disasters: Identifying Social Vulnerabilities
- Healthcare Workers’ Willingness to Report to Work During an Influenza Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review
- Understanding Comprehension Levels of Emergency Notifications by Limited English Proficient US Residents: Case Study of Korean-Americans in New York City
- Bioterrorism and Local Agency Preparedness: Results from an Experimental Study in Risk Communication
- Human Resource Management Practices to Support Emotional Labor in Emergency Response
- Examining Coordination in Disaster Response Using Simulation Methods
- A Genetic Algorithm Based Approach to Provide Solutions for Emergency Aid Stations Location Problem and a Case Study for Pendik/İstanbul
- A Socio-Demographic Analysis of Responses to Terrorism
- Are Emergency Departments in Istanbul Ready for the Earthquakes? Past Experience and Suggestions for Future Preparedness from Employees’ Viewpoint and the Literature
