What Does Corona (COVID-19) Eradication Mean?
On Monday, Prime Minister of New Zealand – Ms. Jacinda Ardern had announced on the Journal of “The Lancet” with a news headline” “New Zealand eliminates COVID-19”. There was a piece, by a famous health Journalist “Sophie Cousins”, she denoted the community transmission of CoV-2 has ended. And luckily there were no new COVID-19 cases in the early week, and after a month the aggressive lockdown started.
Normally the word “Eradication and Extinction” means the extraction of things with force. So, it doesn’t mean COVID-19 has come to an end.
Keep in mind to “Maintain Social Distancing and Stay Safe”
Words using “Eradication and Extinction” by epidemiologists on SARS-CoV2 have a different meaning. These words when used, epidemiologists talk about infectious diseases in an awfully specific way.
So, let’s see the definition of “Eradication and Extinction” put forward by former CDC Deputy Director Dr. Walt Dowdle.
Eradication
The infection getting reduced to zero by any specific agent as a deliberate effort. So, eradication means a reduction of the worldwide incidence of disease or any infection to unavailable(zero). Dowdle even notified that no longer any intervention measures need to be taken. For e.g., chickenpox.
Extinction
Extinction means COVID-19 is no longer into existence. The virus is no longer available in nature or anywhere near the laboratory.
Elimination of Disease
Elimination of Diseases means the specified disease will reduce to zero, in a specific and defined geographical area, result to great efforts, slowly. But do remember to continue to take the intervention measures if needed.
Elimination of Infections
Elimination of infection means a reduction in the incidence of the infection. There will be a total reduction, and the number will be to zero but happens only due to a specific agent and in a defined geographical area and result to great efforts, slowly. Do be careful as the transmission is not totally gone. So, do take preventative measures as it can re-establish the disease and transmitted.
Control
The incidence of disease or illness reduces. The mortality locally accepts the level and result to slow efforts. So, don’t forget to take continue intervention measures that require maintaining the reduction.
Lots of confusion right, due to the tons of smaller details for you. But talking of the infectious disease is important in ensuring the public acts appropriately. After all people prefer coming to their normal life. And act differently if they will believe the virus no longer exists, compare to how they act right now.
Be Social distancing and be safe.
