Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
23:56
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
The effectiveness of means of controlling communicable diseases
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care
|January 1, 1994
Abstract:
Most communicable diseases are caused by infectious agents that are not visible to the naked eye, which led earlier societies to believe in miasmas and control by quarantine. Although microscopes revealed the agents in the eighteenth century, they were not associated with disease syndromes until the late nineteenth century. Today, vaccines are the most cost-effective means of control.
Insights
Microscopic infectious agents cause communicable diseases, a fact understood after the eighteenth century. Vaccines are now the most cost-effective disease control method.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Historically, communicable diseases were attributed to miasmas, leading to quarantine measures.
- The invention of microscopes in the eighteenth century revealed invisible infectious agents.
- The link between these agents and specific disease syndromes was established in the late nineteenth century.
Purpose of the Study:
- To trace the historical understanding of communicable disease origins.
- To highlight the evolution of disease control strategies.
- To emphasize the current role of vaccination in public health.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of scientific understanding of infectious diseases.
- Review of epidemiological data and public health interventions.
- Assessment of cost-effectiveness of different control measures.
Main Results:
- Infectious agents, not visible to the naked eye, are the primary cause of communicable diseases.
- Understanding of microbial causes evolved from the eighteenth to the late nineteenth century.
- Vaccination is identified as the most economically efficient method for disease control.
Conclusions:
- The scientific understanding of communicable diseases has progressed significantly over centuries.
- Microscopy and subsequent research elucidated the true nature of infectious agents.
- Vaccines represent a cornerstone of modern, cost-effective communicable disease prevention and control.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Infection
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:29Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth
Microbial growth control refers to various methods employed to inhibit, reduce, or eliminate microorganisms to ensure safety and hygiene across different settings. These methods are categorized based on the target environment and the level of microbial control required.Biocides are versatile agents designed to control microorganisms by either inhibiting their growth or outright killing them. These agents work through various physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological mechanisms. The...
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
01:24Smallpox
Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.