Toronto SARS Outbreak 3rd Draft with Narration

Toronto SARS Outbreak: Legal Issues: 

Toronto SARS Outbreak: Legal Issues Infini8 Wisdom Elaine Baker Alicia Brown Amber Crist Kylie Kavanagh Leroy Marklund Travis Peterson

Overview: 

Overview What is SARS? Legal and jurisdictional challenges. Health officials’ decision-making. Public response to the SARS outbreak. Media’s role in disseminating information. Preparation for future outbreaks.

Background: 

Background Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Transported to Ontario by overseas traveler. 23,000 people exposed to SARS. 13,374 placed in quarantine. Health care setting primary source of exposure.

Legal and Jurisdictional Challenges: 

Legal and Jurisdictional Challenges Legal authority to take action. Balancing rights of the individual vs. the rights of the community. Isolation and Quarantine. Directives to health care facilities. Mandatory reporting of citizens exposed to SARS.

Legal and Jurisdictional Challenges (Cont.) : 

Legal and Jurisdictional Challenges (Cont.) Federal Travel Restrictions Provincial Quarantine and Isolation Local Hospital Directives

Media Coverage : 

Media Coverage Daily news conferences to update the public. Effective forum for health care providers/public health officials.

Media Coverage: 

Media Coverage How could it have been improved? Outlet for educational programs. Develop a plan for communication prior to an outbreak. Avoid the disclosure of citizens’ personal information.

Public Response : 

Public Response Information seeking. Displeasure over the required isolation and/or quarantine. Refusal to adhere to directives Concern about the Chief Medical Officers decision making

Leadership Skills : 

Leadership Skills Motivation Effective Communication Trust Problem Solving

Other Improvements : 

Other Improvements An emergency preparedness plan is essential. Enhance intergovernmental communication (local, provincial, and federal). Broader expertise in public health leadership positions. Improved data collection, analysis, and sharing.

Conclusion : 

Conclusion The public health officials of Toronto and countless volunteers worked hard to contain SARS and helped to prevent even more illness or death. A plan for an infectious disease outbreak should be implemented, taking the lessons learned from SARS into account.

You have to expect the unexpected. An infectious disease in one part of the world can quickly become an infectious disease on a local level. You need to plan ahead, be prepared to take bold action, and know in advance what your isolation and quarantine procedures are going to be. : 

You have to expect the unexpected. An infectious disease in one part of the world can quickly become an infectious disease on a local level. You need to plan ahead, be prepared to take bold action, and know in advance what your isolation and quarantine procedures are going to be. Dr Julie L. Gerberding, Director CDC Public Health Grand Rounds

References: 

References SARS: When a Global Outbreak Hits Home (Public Health Grand Rounds), October 23, 2003. The SARS Commission Interim Report. SARS and Public Health in Ontario. The Honorable Justice Mr. Archie Campbell, Commissioner. April 15, 2004. Quarantine and Isolation: Lessons Learned from SARS. A report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 2003.