Final answer:
Family members of Ebola patients are contacted twice daily for updates on the patient's condition and to monitor for potential signs of infection. This protocol played a vital role in handling the Ebola outbreak and is part of comprehensive disease control and patient care measures in public health emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Family members of Ebola patients are contacted twice daily with updates. This stems from the experience during past medical emergencies where timely and consistent communication was crucial, such as during the 2014 outbreak of Ebola in the United States. Public health officials traced and monitored high-risk individuals, including family members of the patient named Duncan, to check for signs of infection. Moreover, frequent updates are essential not only for monitoring health but also for providing psychological support to the families who may not have direct access to their loved ones, as seen in hospital protocols during flu seasons or other highly contagious periods.
In the case of Ebola, this measure was critical in preventing a wide-scale outbreak, as prompt updates allowed health officials to respond swiftly to new cases, including one of the health care workers. Regular communication also helps in the management of other diseases, as it ensures that protocols such as HIV screenings and counseling are followed appropriately after potential exposure. In summary, diligent and regular communication with family is an integral part of patient care and disease control in a public health context.