Contemporary VCE BiologySequence 2:
Epidemics and Pandemics
This module focuses on establishing a basic understanding of the concepts of epidemics and pandemics. It is expected this could take 30–50 minutes of class time, depending if activities are undertaken. This topic is particularly relevant with the relatively recent emergence of the Zika virus as a disease organism of concern in many countries around the world.
Summary
VCE Biology Study Design (2017-2021)
Unit 4, Area of Study 2, Outcome 2, VCE Biology Study Design
Key knowledge:
Biological knowledge and society
- The distinction between epidemics and pandemics
Duration
30–50 minutes
Student learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- distinguish the difference between epidemics and pandemics
- list examples of major pandemics in history
- accurately use common terms associated with epidemics and pandemics
- state the six stages of a pandemic as described by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Teaching sequence
Activities
Activity 1.1 - Introduction to Epidemics and Pandemics
Teacher-centered presentation
Introduce students to the following websites:
- World Health Organization and its role in the control of pandemics and epidemics.
http://www.who.int/about/en/ - The six stages of a pandemic.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/phase/en/
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2009/04/30/what-are-who-pandemic-alert-levels
These resources from WHO can be used for teachers’ background reading and to illustrate to students that there are organisations that address this issue worldwide.
Video
How pandemics spread
In our increasingly globalized world, a single infected person can board a plane and spread a virus across continents. Mark Honigsbaum describes the history of pandemics and how that knowledge can help halt future outbreaks. There is a three question quiz at the end of this video.
Optional activities
Activity 1.2 - NOVA scienceNOW: 1918 Flu
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/activities/3318_02_nsn.html#procedure
Summary
Students perform a sequence of six short simulations to model how an infectious disease can spread through a human population.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- state that some diseases are the result of infection.
- describe the risks associated with biological hazards, such as viruses.
- name ways that infectious disease can be prevented, controlled, or cured.
- graphically represent data created in a classroom simulation.
- describe how a disease can spread rapidly among a population.
- explain how preventive measures help defend against infection.
Activity 1.3 - The Infection Game: The Shape of Change
Introduction
Students play a game that simulates the spread of an epidemic.
The Infection Game: The Shape of Change (329KB pdf)
The behavior we see in the game could represent bacteria spreading through an animal population, a virus spreading through a computer network, a rumor spreading through a school, the adoption of a fad in a country, or any other type of contagious agent. Social studies concepts could include the spread of disease in the New World, and the spread of ideas, social movements, or revolutions. The spread of disease can also be discussed from the science point of view. The disease in question might be a cold virus, the flu, smallpox, or AIDS. Mathematics skills include drawing and interpreting graphs, fitting a curve through data, and looking at patterns of behavior over time. Combine two classes to play this game. It takes at least 35 players to generate clear patterns of behavior.
Teacher and Student resources - additional information and activity suggestions
Video and Quiz
The Spread of Disease: Endemic, Epidemic & Pandemic
Use - Teacher resource and Student Activity
Topic - Epidemic and Pandemic
This lesson will talk about what an endemic disease is and how it is different from an epidemic. It also discusses how an epidemic differs from a pandemic. Finally, it looks at some examples of each to help solidify these points.
Website
Biology for kids: Epidemics and Pandemics
Use - Teacher resource
Topic - Epidemic and Pandemics
Introduces the terms epidemic, pandemic and lists the six stages of a pandemic from WHO. This is useful for background information for teachers to introduce this topic.
Website
Pandemic and epidemic diseases (PED)
Use - Teacher resource
Topic - Epidemic and Pandemics and diseases
The WHO website introduces types of diseases and highlights current diseases and issues causing problems today. Great background reading for the teacher.
Website
Pandemic and epidemic diseases (PED)
Use - Teacher resource
Topic - Epidemic and Pandemics and diseases
This is a document from the WHO. This can be used for teaching background information and to illustrate to students that there are organisations that address this issue worldwide.
Article
What’s the difference between an outbreak and an epidemic?
Use - Teacher resource
Topic - Epidemics and Pandemics
Good background teacher reading
Website
The Phases and Stages of a Pandemic. What Are the Phases or Stages of a Pandemic?
Use - Teacher resource
Topic - Pandemics and the six stages
Understanding What a Pandemic is and its Phases
Video and Quiz
How pandemics spread
Use - Teacher resource and Student Activity
Topic - Spreading of Pandemics
Interesting video to present to students followed by a short quiz
Website
The Five Deadliest Outbreaks and Pandemics in History
Use - Teacher resource
Topic - Pandemic historical examples
This includes relevant information on great pandemics of the past
Website
Basic Facts: Definition of a Pandemic
Use - Teacher resource
Topic - Pandemic
Search the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on information about pandemics
Activity (pdf)
Pandemic: Learning from the Past, Planning for the future
Use - Student Activity
Topic - Pandemic
An activity for students to complete on pandemics. It defines vocabulary associated with pandemic, describes the 1918 flu pandemic, comparing life today vs. 1918. Students discuss recommendations to reduce spread of disease during a future pandemic. It is recommended making this resource more Australian focused by using the Catalyst video.
Video
Virus Hunters
Use - Teacher and in class video
Topic - Pandemic and Viruses
CSIRO's research laboratory in Australia. How scientists research deadly virus.
Activity (pdf)
Mosquitoes in Your Backyard
Use - Students
Topic - Mosquito, Pandemic, Epidemic, global events
Mosquito development and survival is heavily influenced by environmental factors. Even though in your class you can study mosquitoes in small rearing containers, environmental conditions can influence mosquito populations on regional and global scales. After discussing the class’s experimental data, introduce a global thinking approach about how large-scale conditions (like climate) can influence mosquito populations, and extend this to the concepts of an epidemic and pandemic. The terms epidemic and pandemic usually refer to the rate of infection, the area that is affected or both.
Extension to Mosquito Borne Diseases
These resources and activities use the theme of mosquito-borne diseases to develop an understanding of epidemics and pandemics.
Website
Yellow Fever: Resetting the yellow fever strategy
This page highlights the issue of yellow fever and how it is reemerging. There is a short video here explaining the situation.
Summary: Changes in the way humans live and work, and the resurgence of mosquito vectors, particularly the Aedes aegypti mosquito (which spreads Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya), have raised the global risk of yellow fever. Two large yellow fever outbreaks in Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo are now under control, but these are just warnings of bigger outbreaks to come if action is not taken.
A coalition of partners working to stop yellow fever outbreaks met in Geneva on 12 September 2016 to develop a new strategy - Eliminating Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE). This strategy aims to protect the populations most at risk, ensure a ready supply of yellow fever vaccine, build resilience in urban centres and prevent international spread.
Activity (pdf)
Mosquitoes in your Backyard
Modification of this resource. Mosquitoes in your Backyard. Page 6.
Mosquito development and survival are heavily influenced by environmental factors. Environmental conditions can influence mosquito populations on regional and global scales. Introduce a global thinking approach about how large scale conditions (like climate) can influence mosquito populations, and extend this to the concepts of an epidemic and pandemic. The terms epidemic and pandemic usually refer to the rate of infection, the area that is affected or both.
Epidemic: An epidemic is defined as an illness or health-related issue that is showing up in more cases than would normally be expected.
Pandemic: In the case of a pandemic, even more of the population is affected than in an epidemic.
Extend the concepts of an epidemic and pandemic to mosquito-borne disease. What environmental conditions could cause an epidemic? A pandemic? Based on the mosquito life cycle and its biology, what may be some ways to control mosquitoes and reduce/prevent vector-borne disease outbreaks? If desired (and time allowing) extend this concept to current events.
