What is a Zoonotic Disease?

Zoonotic diseases (also called Zoonoses) are infectious diseases that can be spread from animals to humans. There are many zoonotic diseases, and their threat to human health is growing due to increasing global movement of people and animals and the effect of human populations expanding into various under developed wild life habitats.

Some zoonotic diseases are transmitted directly from animals to people, some result from contamination of the environment by animals and other require a vector such as tick or mosquito. Examples of zoonotic disease include:

o        Rabies

o        Tuberculosis

o        Anthrax

Principles of First Aid Treatment

a)                Remove the source of danger from the patient, for example a pillow from the face, a bone from the throat or debris from the chest or remove the patient from the source of danger, for example remove a gas or smoke filled room or take the patient

out of the water in case of drowning

b)                Undo all tight clothing round the neck, chest and waist.

c)                As far as possible, clean the mouth of any obstruction such as vomit, blood or saliva.

d)                If breathing has ceased, start artificial respiration.

e)                If the patient is out of doors, keep the person reasonable warm by making a rug or blanket on the body, but do not over heat the patient.

f)                   Make all necessary arrangement and transport victims or casualty to the hospital.

Qualities of a First Aider

a)                Explicit: He should be able to give précised detailed and accurate information about the victim and treatment given either when calling for help or when handling over to the medical crews.

b)        

        Observant: He must be able to make a quick survey of the entire scene of an emergency and quickly determine next action to take.

c)                Resourceful: Make the best use of any available materials.

d)                Gentle: Careful handling.

e)                Tactful: Act calmly and confidently.

f)                   Sympathetic: Give maximum comfort.

g)                Cheerful: Restore state of hope to the casualty by wearing, encouraging facial expression and using soothing reassuring words faithfully.

Golden Rules of First Aid

a)                Stay calm, do not panic, do first thing first, quietly, quickly and not confuse.

b)                Give artificial respiration (Emergency Resuscitation) by mouth or by action.

c)                Reassure the casualty and those around and help to lessen anxiety.

d)               

Loosen tight clothing around the neck, chest and waist.

e)                Stop or arrest bleeding.

f)                   Guide against or treat for shock by keeping the casualty warm, by moving him as quick as possible and by gentle handling.

g)                Do not allow people to crowd around you, as fresh air is essential.

h)                Do not leave the victim unattended until the doctor take charge.

i)                    Do not attempt to do too much, if you are unsure of what to do, note that it may be better not to do anything at all than to do something that will endanger the life of the victim.

j)                    Arrange for the removal of the casualty as the care of the hospital as soon as possible and notify the police on the case of serious accident.

The Scope of First Aid

a)                 Diagnosis: The first aider should be able to identify and say in simple terms the problems of the victims. E.g. bleeding, broken bones etc.

b)                Treatment: Here implies all measure taken to preserve the life of the victims, to prevent the condition from getting worse and relief pain. It does not involve the use

of drugs.

c)                Evacuation: The First Aider should institute evacuation procedure as laid down by his organization and if communication content is impossible, make arrangement to transport victims to the nearest hospital or clinic as quick as possible.