What is an Epidemic ?

The usual presence of any disease in the community that is generally observed over some time is known as Epidemic. When the prevalence of this disease rises above the general baseline level among the general population of the region and starts spreading rapidly, it is referred to as Epidemic.

An epidemic is the fast spread of infection to an enormous number of individuals in a guaranteed populace in a brief timeframe. When a new disease unfurls over a vast geographical area covering numerous countries and continents, and the majority of the people do not have immunity against it, the outbreak is termed a pandemic.

Difference Between Epidemic and Pandemic

Biological Disaster Management

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in India is the nodal ministry for epidemic control, decision-making, an advisory body, and an emergency Medical Relief provider
• As per Indian Constitution, health matters are under state purview. So, the fundamental responsibility of dealing with biological disasters lies with the state governments
• The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) is the country’s nodal agency for investigating outbreaks
• The NICD/Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) provides education and training, as well as research and laboratory support.

Prevention of Biological Hazards

The following are the essential tools for preventing biological Hazards:

• Analysis of Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment
• Management of the Environment
• Proper sewage pipeline maintenance and safe water supply can go a long way toward preventing biological disasters and waterborne epidemics such as cholera, hepatitis, diarrhea, and dysentery
• Personal hygiene can be made more important in the community by raising public awareness
• Vector control measures include eliminating breeding sites through water management and keeping an eye on the rodent population
• Integrated Disease Surveillance Systems (IDSS)
• Chemoprophylaxis, immunization, and other preventive measures are examples of pharmaceutical interventions.

Provisions of the 1897 Epidemic Diseases Act

• The act empowers state governments and UTs to take special measures and formulate regulations for containing the outbreak
• It empowers the state to prescribe temporary regulations for the public or any person or class of persons as it shall deem necessary to prevent the outbreak of such disease or the spread thereof
• The manner of expenses and by whom any expenses incurred (including compensation) shall be defrayed can be determined by the state
• It provides for penalties in case of disobeying any regulation or order made under this Act. These are under the provision of Section 188 of IPC.
• Legal protection to the frontline officers
  
  During an outbreak, the central government has the authority to regulate

1.  The right to inspect any Ships entering or exiting Indian Ports
2. Detention of any person intending to travel from the port, according to the Act.

2nd ARC recommendations on epidemics

• To more effectively prevent the outbreak/ spread of epidemics, a comprehensive revised ‘model’ legislation on public health must be finalized at an early date. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should systematically pursue its enactment by the states, with adaptations necessitated by local requirements
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has to ensure that requisite plans envisaged under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, are drawn up in respect of epidemics. Additionally, the role of the district administration finds explicit mention in the Public Health Emergency Bill
• Epidemics should also be managed through utilization of the Procedures and guidelines created under Disaster Management Act 2005
• Even though, the management of epidemics is the responsibility of the Health Department. In case of extreme scenarios, these Frontline organizations get overwhelmed beyond their capacity. As per Nodal Ministry dealing with Epidemic control, it should be ensured by the State government and UT’s, that Standard guidelines and operating procedures should be in place, to delegate the responsibilities to organizations outside of Health infrastructure as well
• A plan and procedure relating to Epidemic management, should be devised in disaster management manuals of the state government. The same can be designed on the basis of standard operating protocols issued by the Nodal Ministry. Instances can be incorporated from the management of Epidemic deals in the past by the government, implementing various strategies.

Conclusion

Many Indian states have recently used various provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 to combat COVID-19 diseases. When Biological disasters are to be dealt with, prevention plays a crucial role, as observed in the current Pandemic Onset.