INSIGHTS FROM INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY ON COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ETHIOPIA

Daniel Geleta*

Infectious diseases, caused by living organisms and capable of being transmitted from person to person, have posed a persistent threat throughout human history. These diseases continue to undergo evolution and present challenges to societies in various manifestations. The field of infectious disease epidemiology emerged within human society to address the spread of such diseases. It employs methodologies including surveillance, tracking, statistical analysis, and experimentation to investigate and manage epidemic outbreaks. A prominent contemporary illustration of this is the COVID-19 pandemic, which many have identified as the most significant global challenge since the establishment of the United Nations. COVID-19 is notable for its rapid transmission through human-to-human contact, with varying rates influenced by factors like population density and healthcare system efficacy. Statistical and mathematical models have played a pivotal function in guiding strategies to combat the virus. These models typically incorporate formulas that account for amount of relations per unit time, the transmission probability per contact, and duration of infection. In Ethiopia, such models were utilized to direct governmental initiatives aimed at mitigating the risk of secondary transmission, particularly in the southwestern region of the country.