5.2 Immunization, Epidemics, and Pandenmics
Essential Question(s)
- What are the biggest threats to global health in the modern era?
- How has globalization both helped with diseases and increased the likelihood of their spread?
A variety of diseases has challenged human development from the very beginning. Some of these diseases like malaria have actually altered the evolutionary path of our species. Understanding the causes, treatments, and preventative measures for these devastating afflictions has allowed the population of humans to explode and ended many of the worst blights.
However, many challenges remain. Some diseases like cancer still kill thousands of people per year, other potential hazards are actually increased by the very treatments that we rely on to stop them. The fight against malaria described in the "The Mosquito Killer" illustrates that complex and expensive methods of eradicating diseases. Please read the article linked below and visit my discussion pages to comment.
Modern epidemiology was really born in England in 1854. During a cholera epidemic in the city a young and innovative physician began to use a map to identify the various water sources in the city and their relationship to those people who caught and died from cholera. This story and the subsequent dismissal of what was learned has been repeated many times since. The most recent and possibly agregous case of cholera is in Haiti which has been devastated by a cholera outbreak that was brought to the country after the devastating earthquake (the subject of a later lesson).
One of the largest modern scourges on the planet was isolated and treated through a massive immunization wave that still serves as an example of how scientific inquiry and concerted action has prevented widespread death. This disease, polio, was overcome almost immediately and still serves as a monument to epidemiology. This story illustrates the dangers of halting or ending the vigilance that has been associated with programs like the one that ended polio. The situation in Syria is illustrative of the dangers of stopping immunizations.NPR Story about Polio Vaccines and Terrorism
Effects of Cholera
Cholera starts very acutely with diarrhea. In the very first hours, its difficult to distinguish it from other diarrheal diseases. But after the first hour, cholera’s severity really takes off. Cholera is voluminous, aggressive, and severe, with liters of water lost per day. Patients dehydrate very rapidly. What’s almost pathognomic is the quality of stool having no more fecal matter. We call this rice-water diarrhea, which is cloudy water with no particulate matter other than mucus sloughed from the intestine, resembling the water seen when you soak rice and you see the cloudy supernatant. Fever is variable, abdominal pain is expected - See more at: http://blogs.nejm.org/now/index.php/an-interview-with-ezra-barzilay-the-cholera-epidemic-in-haiti-2010-2012/2013/01/09/#sthash.iB12wJpW.dpuf
Immunization movements have often been met with suspicion, fear, and resistance. Considering the complicated and complex institutions that various regions have developed convincing people to immunize can be a tricky proposition. Please take a few minutes to read this article on the cultural perspectives on vaccinations. Consider the biggest factors that influence the reception of vaccine initiatives.
While many diseases have been wiped out important challenges remain. Some of those challenges are related man-made situations such as the antibiotic resistant bacteria that are feature in the documentary. Others present more traditional obstacles to eradication because they occur in places where people do not have either the resources or leadership to do so. We will focus on some of these "traditional" epidemics and consider the challenges that they still present. Each of you will be in a group that will focus on a particular disease and you and your partners will research, compile, and present a collaborative slide show that informs the rest of the class about your assigned scourge.
Part II- The Trouble with Antibiotics
Research Links
The slides should include the following information:
- Is the affliction caused by a virus or bacteria?
- What are the symptoms of the ailment?
- What are the means of dispersal of the disease?
- What are the human or cultural challenges to eradication?
- What are the non-human or scientific/biological obstacles to eradication?
Each presentation component (your disease /your group) must
include:
- Before and After pictures
- Clear analysis of the benchmarks in fighting and or identifying the disease
- Charts and Maps
- Video link
- Complete source list on one slide.
Please follow this link to get to the blank presentation.
Mod 4
- Cholera
- A.I.D.s
- Sleeping Sickness
- Chicken Pox
- Dengue Fever
- Ebola
Finally, the second most deadly disease in the world is tuberculosis. This diseases combines the anti-antibiotic resistance of graham negative bacteria. Here is a short film examining the dangerous trend in TB evolution:
Navigating Romance with A.I.D.s- Gettysburg High Graduate
The Mosquito Killer- Malcolm Gladwell
How the global struggle against malaria presented complex problems and issues about health policy.
This extensive and well presented tool connects various health challenges in an innovative formt.
Hunting the Nightmare Bacteria
PBS Frontline Documentary about the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Part II- Frontline-The Trouble with Antibiotics
Click this link to see how you will (may) die and how those around you will succumb.
Controlling Rabies in India- When Dogs and Humans Thrive Together