On January 14, the MOH distributed the following press release:* On Monday, Janu
ID: 226745 • Letter: O
Question
On January 14, the MOH distributed the following press release:* On Monday, January 13, two bus drivers, Pablo Esteban and Juan Rojas, from south central Buenos Aires were diagnosed with botulism by an infectious diseases physician at Hospital F. J. Muñiz. The men had been ill for several days before the diagnosis was made. The attending physician, Dr. Jorge San Juan reported that botulinum antitoxin was requested from the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last night. Because botulism is potentially fatal if untreated, the Argentine Ministry of Health is working with local public health officials and health care providers to *This is not the p ress release distributed by the Min istry of Health but was developed spe cifically for this exercise.
Botulism in Argentina Instructo r’s version - p. 5
identify the source of the botulism. Officials worry that other persons may have been exposed and need treatment or that the source may still exist and cause more people to become ill. Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by a bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. The symptoms of botulism can easily be confused with other illnesses and include diplopia, ptosis, dysphagia, dysarthria, and muscle weakness. If untreated, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and respiratory muscles, and ultimately death. If diagnosed early, botulism can be treated with an antitoxin which blocks the action of the toxin circulating in the blood. Previous outbreaks of botulism in Argentina have been caused primarily through eating improperly preserved vegetables and meats. Implicated foods include ham, red and green peppers, vigcacha (an Andean rodent), eggplant, cucumbers, palm hearts, tomatoes, peaches, spinach, and a type of cheese with onions. It is not yet known what specific food may have caused the botulism in this outbreak but both men are bus drivers for the same company, Arriba Bus, Inc., and drive the same route and shift. Persons who feel they or their relatives might have symptoms of botulism are asked to contact the Directorate of Epidemiology of the Argentine Ministry of Health at xxxx-xxxx .
Question 4: Critique the press release. How might the press release impact the outbreak investigation?
Explanation / Answer
The press release is seems to be too long which will make it unreadable.To make it readable,a number of sentences could be deleted so that it becomes more precise with all important content in it. Revealing patient's name compromises with their confidentiality.So,ceratin policies should be taken into consideration before mentioning the names of patients. The statements that mention about the availability of botulinum anti toxin from CDC and the activities of MOH activities are good points to mention as it assures the people that there are good medical treatments available to cure botunilum. Some medical terminologies used such as diplopia, ptosis, dysphagia will be difficult for readers to understand.So it will be good if the symptoms are described in a meaningful way. The publication of press release could introduce several biases in future.These are : Selection bias and information bias. Selection bias includes- Bus drivers from Arriba Bus, Inc.working in the same shift and same route are more prone to be diagnosed with botulism and seek medical help than others. Information bias :The consumption of foods that cause botulism are mentioned in the press release and this will help the readers stop consuming such foods. Making calls to directorate of MOH for treatment in every case is not a good advice.Patient should first consult their physician and take appropriate measures.