This article was taken from the September 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
How do you cope when something nasty breaks out? David Heymann, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and of the Centre on Global Health Security, helped draw up the World Health Organisation's epidemic-response guidelines and headed its response to the SARS outbreak. He explains how to stop an epidemic.
Always have a plan in place
Establish a surveillance system and an outbreak-response plan for diseases that are likely to be a problem. Add to that stockpiles of medications and equipment you might need. And make sure you have access to a lab where you can test samples from the field. "You need early knowledge about the characteristics of the disease and the best way to treat it and manage patients," says Heymann.
Look out for symptoms of disease including acute diarrhoea, symptoms of cholera, acute jaundice, acute haemorrhaging and any cluster of unexplained deaths. Take specimens to your lab, but start treatment straight away. "Much can be done even before a lab result is available," says Heymann. "Treating and managing patients in a manner that protects health workers and other patients can save lives."
"What is important about a newly identified disease is not what is known, but what is not known," says Heymann, "such as its potential to continue to spread and take up permanent residence in the human population." Continue treatment for those affected, isolating them to prevent further spread if the disease is infectious, and vaccinate others. And move fast: time is of the essence.
Monitor the situation
Check if the treatment is working and monitor those vaccinated for subsequent outbreaks. "Medicines and vaccines may not be available for newly identified diseases," says Heymann. "It is important to closely monitor the effectiveness of what you have." Adjust your response if necessary. Write reports and disseminate them widely, as there may turn out to be similar outbreaks in other areas.
Read more from our <a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2013/09/how-to/make-the-impossible-happen" title="Make the impossible happen">Extreme How To special here</a>