The epidemiological triad of pathogen transmission defines the dynamic state of disease transmission. From the environment that promotes the exposure of a pathogen, a disease causing agent in the absence of a vector can be transmitted into a reservoir or host (Gordis, 2009). In some cases, where the environment promotes or harbors environmentally fit vectors, pathogens or agents are transmitted into the reservoir or the host via vectors (Schneider, 2010). Hence, the environment, an agent with or without a vector, and a host are inextricably linked. The viability of a pathogen depends on the potent state of both the intrinsic and the extrinsic factors. Naturally, every organism is equipped with the organismal mechanism in selecting the best fitted traits for the environment in question. Species constantly undergoes micro-evolution, a state of evolution occurring in a micro-level state that a naked eye cannot see. The evolutionary state makes it possible for an organism to adapt and survive its environment. Therefore, public health policies must be a continuous effort and must not be seen as one battle conflict.

Thus, the possibility that religious communion practices such as the Eucharist, a celebration of the symbolic Lord’s supper, drinking wine or water from the same cup during masses and sharing bread can be deemed a disease transmission practices is of public health concern. The possibility that hundreds of people may have been exposed to hepatitis A in North Dakota catholic churches during the past week caught the US public health and centers for disease control and prevention’s attention (Johnson, 2013). The concern was a follow up reaction when the new US bishop, John Folda, was diagnosed with Hepatitis A following his trip to Rome. The report indicated that the bishop was infected with Hepatitis A through contaminated food during his trip (Johnson, 2013). Following this incident, the state’s health department indicated that the risk of getting infected in this situation is low, but it is important that people should know the possibility of the exposure (Johnson, 2013). Hepatitis A is not as dangerous as hepatitis B or C. Symptoms of Hepatitis A includes fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, pale stools and jaundice, which usually clears in few weeks (Johnson, 2013).

Other infectious diseases such as the outbreak of H1N1 are already at a vigilant surveillance during communion by the Catholic institutions. Public health approach may be necessary to be instituted within religious groups. Perhaps the religious institutions may be better off revisiting the old religious practices and assessing its validity and safety to modern day congregations. The bottom line is to create a safe environment for people to worship and not an environment that creates unhealthy atmosphere.

References

Gordis, L. (2009). Epidemiology 4^th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

Johnson, A. (2013).  North Dakota Catholics warned of possible hepatitis exposure from bishop during communion.  Retrieved from http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/25/2 1153387-north-dakota-catholics-warned-of-possible-hepatitis-exposure-from-bishop-during-communion?lite

Schneider, M.J. (2010). Introduction to public health 4^th ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.