Session 4.1. Introduction to the toolkit

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Explain the different components of the epidemic control toolkit and how to use them. 
• Know when to use the toolkit.

Part 4.1.1. What is the epidemic control toolkit?

In the previous three modules, we have learned about epidemics, the role of community volunteers, the main principles of controlling epidemics, and community actions in different phases of a response.

However, our knowledge of the diseases that cause epidemics is still general in character. When we work in the community in a real epidemic, we will need to know much more about the disease we have to deal with, as well as how it is transmitted, and how it can be prevented and managed.

A specific disease requires a specific response. We will need to prepare appropriate messages about the disease so that community members can protect themselves and prevent the epidemic from spreading.

This is the purpose of the toolkit. Practical and action-oriented, easy to follow and simple, it is designed to guide you through epidemics. When an epidemic strikes, you will not have a lot of time to remember everything you learnt in this training. You should rely on the toolkit to help you remember and to tell you what to do, enabling you to act quickly and appropriately to help others.

The toolkit has three major components:

• Disease tools. These describe the diseases that can cause epidemics.
• Action tools. These describe actions that need to be taken in epidemics. 
• Community message tools. You will use these in your health promotion and risk communication activities to deliver messages to the community about what they should and should not do to protect themselves.

Part 4.1.2. When do we use the toolkit?

We will use the toolkit in the training to learn about the tools and how to use them. In the event of an epidemic, the toolkit will help you respond.

So how do we use it?

Because the toolkit is based on disease tools, we first need to know what disease is causing people to fall ill, and whether the rise in illness is, properly speaking, an epidemic.

These questions can only be answered by the health authorities. They confirm what disease is causing illness, on the basis of evidence provided by health professionals and laboratories. They also decide whether the number of sick persons is such that the event should be considered an epidemic.

You should be prepared to use the toolkit when the health authorities identify the disease and declare an epidemic. Do not base your actions on rumours, news, talk or any sources other than the Ministry of Health and the health authorities. They alone are authorized to confirm an epidemic.

Volunteers can and should take certain actions before an epidemic is confirmed, however. The toolkit is also designed to help you with such early response activities. (See Module 3, session 3.1.)

Once the epidemic is confirmed, you should follow the plan that has already been prepared.

• Contact your local Red Cross Red Crescent National Society focal point.
• Participate in rapid refresher training. If you are a new volunteer, learn the basics of epidemic control.
• Discuss the supplies you need with your National Society focal point.
• Obtain the toolkit and start assembling it, based on the disease that is causing the epidemic. (We will learn how to do this next.)
• Keep in contact with fellow volunteers and coordinate how you will cover different responsibilities.
• Start working!