Communicable diseases are the diseases that are spread via airborne microbes from one host to another, like from a human being to another or from an animal to a human being. They are also referred to as contagious and also infectious diseases. The microbes include among others, bacteria and viruses. Communicable diseases can be prevented through a number of practices which are aimed at health maintenance. Infection control measures like washing of hands, correct use of gloves, fresh air and ventilation, proper disposal of wastes, and regular cleaning coupled with disinfection of surfaces.

Apart from negative health outcomes, health professionals have a duty to emphasize the diverse effects of communicable diseases. This is because the major step in achieving prevention of communicable diseases is by feeding the people with information. The economic effects of communicable diseases touch all sectors of the economy. Deaths and defects resulting from communicable diseases rob the economy of technocrats and professionals leaving gaps that are hard to fill. The social lives of the people are affected because of stigma and deaths of social figures in the society. Making people aware of these effects will make them see beyond, the big impact of communicable disease.

Guarding the public health infrastructure is the duty of all and sundry. Patriotism to one’s country encompasses the protection of institutions like the one concerned with health. The constitution needs to be very clear on the operations of health institutions as well as sustenance of the personnel that work there. This will make sure that the protection that health infrastructure should be given is entrenched in the constitution. The political and administrative leaders also should be made to commit themselves to the protection of health infrastructure while they are in power. The activities of non-governmental health organizations should be supported by the government. Similarly, international organizations that deal with health like the WHO should be accorded the necessary support and shielded from political interference in order to be effective in the provision of health services.