SECTION 4: RISK ASSESSMENT
emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. It is generally spread by face- to-face contact or by direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects (such as bedding or clothing). A person with smallpox is sometimes contagious with onset of fever, but the person becomes most contagious with the onset of rash. The rash typically develops into sores that spread over all parts of the body. The infected person remains contagious until the last smallpox scab is gone. Smallpox outbreaks have occurred periodically for thousands of years, but the disease is now largely eradicated after a worldwide vaccination program was implemented. After the disease was eliminated, routine vaccination among the general public was stopped. The last case of smallpox in the United States was in 1949. St. Louis Encephalitis – In the United States, the leading type of epidemic flaviviral Encephalitis is St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), which is transmitted by mosquitoes that become infected by feeding on birds infected with the virus. SLE is the most common mosquito-transmitted pathogen in the United States. There is no evidence to suggest that the virus can be spread from person to person. Meningitis – Meningitis is an infection of fluid that surrounds a person’s spinal cord and brain. High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis, which can develop between several hours to one to two days after exposure. Meningitis can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection; however, a correct diagnosis is critically important, because treatments for the two varieties differ. Meningitis is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions from an infected carrier. Primary risk groups include infants and young children, household contact with patients, and refugees. In the United States, periodic outbreaks continue to occur, particularly among adolescents and young adults. About 2,600 people in the United States get the disease each year. Generally, 10 to 14 percent of cases are fatal, and 11 to 19 percent of those who recover suffer from permanent hearing loss, mental retardation, loss of limbs, or other serious effects. Two vaccines are available in the United States. Lyme Disease – Lyme disease was named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where an unusually large frequency of arthritis-like symptoms was observed in children in 1977. It was later found that the problem was caused by bacteria transmitted to humans by infected deer ticks, causing an average of more than 16,000 reported infections in the United States each year (however, the disease is greatly under-reported). Lyme disease bacteria are not transmitted from person to person. Following a tick bite, 80 percent of patients develop a red bullseye rash accompanied by tiredness, fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, and joint pain. If untreated, some patients may develop arthritis, neurological abnormalities, and cardiac problems, weeks to months later. Lyme disease is rarely fatal. During early stages of the disease, oral antibiotic treatment is generally effective, while intravenous treatment may be required in more severe cases. West Nile Virus - West Nile virus is a flavivirus spread by infected mosquitoes and is commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It was first documented in the United States in 1999. Although it is not known where the United States virus originated, it most closely resembles strains found in the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis and can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses, and other mammals. Most people who become infected with West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild effects. However, on rare occasions, the infection can result in severe and sometimes fatal illness. There is no evidence to suggest that the virus can be spread from person to person. West Nile virus occurs with low frequency and serious disease is rare. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that has recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. Although the cause of SARS is currently unknown, scientists have detected in SARS patients a previously unrecognized coronavirus that appears to be a likely source of the illness. In general, humans infected with SARS exhibit fevers greater than 100.4 F, headaches, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms. After two to seven days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing. The primary way that SARS appears to spread is by close person-to-person contact; particularly by an infected person coughing or sneezing contaminated droplets onto another
Wake County, NC Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
WSP June 2024 Page 174
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