Concept of Disease Control

Disease control
• The reduction in the incidence, prevalence,
morbidity or mortality of a infectious disease to
a l o ca l l y a c c e pta b l e l eve l a s a re s u l t o f
deliberate efforts.
• Continued intervention measures are required
to maintain the reduction.
• Example: diarrhoeal diseases.
 Disease control cont...
• Disease control describes on going operations
aimed at reducing:
• the incidence of disease
• the duration of disease and cosequently the risk
of transmission
• the effects of infection, including both the
physical and psychological complications and
financial burden to the community
 Disease Elimination
• Elimination: Refers to the reduction to zero (or a very low defined
target rate) of new cases in a defined geographical area. Elimination
requires continued measures to prevent re-establishment of
disease transmission.
Or
• Reduction to zero of the incidence of a specified disease in a
defined geographical area as a result of deliberate efforts;
continued intervention measures are required.
• Example: Exp: neonatal tetanus, Lymphatic filariasis, Rubella
 Disease Eradication
• Eradication: Refers to the complete and permanent worldwide
reduction to zero new cases of the disease through deliberate
efforts.
• If a disease has been eradicated, no further control measures are
required.
Or
• Permanent reduction to zero of the worldwide incidence of a
disease as a result of deliberate efforts. Intervention measures are
no longer needed.
• Example: smallpox.
• The disease-causing agent might persist in controlled laboratory
environments.
 Extinction
• Extinction: Complete removal of the disease-
causing agent from all natural and laboratory
environments.
• Exp: None
Concept of Prevention of Disease
 Concept of Prevention of Disease
• Disease prevention includes measures not
only to prevent the occurrence of disease,
such as risk factor reduction, but also to arrest
its progress and reduce its consequences once
established.
 Disease Prevention
Levels of Prevention:
• 1. Primordial Prevention
• 2. Primary prevention
• 3. Secondary prevention
• 4. Tertiary Prevention
 Levels of Prevention
Primordial Prevention:
Primordial prevention refers to avoiding the
development of risk factors in the first place.
in otherward
Primordial prevention is defined as prevention of risk
factors themselves, beginning with change in social and
environmental conditions in which these factors are
observed to develop, and continuing for high risk
children, adolescents and young adults.
• Exp: community based programme to increase
physical activities, reduce sodium in food supply
 Levels of Prevention
Primary Prevention:
Primary prevention can be defined as the action
taken prior to the onset of disease which removes
the possibility that the disease will ever occur.
Exp: infection control, immunization, sanitation
etc.
 Levels of Prevention
Secondary Prevention:
Secondary prevention can be defined as the action
which halts the progress of a disease at its
incipient stage and prevent coplications.
Secondary prevention is largerly the domain of
clincal medicine.
Exp: Screening tests, case finding programme,
adequate treatment specific interventions etc.
 Levels of Prevention
Tertiary prevention:
• It is used when the disease process has
advanced beyond its early stages.
• Tertiary prevention can be defined as all
measures available to reduce or limit
impairements and disabilities, and to promote
patients' adjustment to irremediable conditions.
• Exp: Interventions such as disability limitation
and rehabilitation
 Levels of Prevention

Source: Park's Text Book o Preventive And Social medicine