The Policy Response to an Outbreak
The Policy Response to an Outbreak
A. Once you have identified the microbes in the field you will need to be able to establish plans and practices to control the spread and educate the public. You will need to know about and use both physical and chemical methods of control. What will you need to know to be prepared to control outbreaks? Where could you find the information you need?
B. Design and submit a concept map on what you have learned. It should include concepts and connections between concepts including:
1. Factors affecting microbe death
2. Antimicrobial agents and how they work
3. Physical methods of control
4. Chemical methods of control
C. Activity 1: Controlling Microbes Video
Based on what you have learned during the Task, design a 2 minute video to teach a selected audience about a physical or chemical method of controlling microbes. Your audience may be children, adults, peers, etc.
Activity 2: Virtual Lab
Complete the virtual lab,
Activity 3: Destroying Bacteria Lab
Using the directions from Week 4, make gelatin to grow bacteria. Once you have a good growth of bacteria on the gelation:
- Put a drop of hand sanitizer or other chemical microbe inhibitor on the gelatin where the bacteria is growing.
- Leave for a day and see if the bacteria are killed. If they are you will see a clear ring in the area where you dropped the sanitizer.
- Try different types of sanitizers such as Clorox, hand sanitizer, Listerine, or other household cleaners.
Activity 4: Case Study
Complete the case,
First, Download the case study.
Second, Work through the case, answering all questions.
D. You have done a great job preparing to be assigned by WHO to a remote site where you will set up your field lab. Is there anything else you need to be prepared? As much as having the right equipment, supplies, and knowledge about microorganisms, it is also important to know who to notify and what communication channels exist for reporting disease outbreaks. Discuss the policy for reporting contagious diseases that break out in a country where you are located.
E. You have chosen to join WHO. They are particularly interested in your microbiology skills since there have been many outbreaks of disease around the world. Now that you have reviewed your microbiology, you have been notified that you will be sent to one of two areas, West Africa, or the Middle East. In preparation, the Peace Corp would like you to choose one of these areas and complete a plan to deal with outbreaks or potential outbreaks in the area.
Choose an outbreak from those below to investigate.
Ebola or Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Locate resources that will provide information about the infection, causing microbe, mode of infection, mode of spread, group or groups specifically susceptible, where outbreak occurred and when, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, infection control.
Find first person reports such as interviews or personal reports or journals on the outbreak. If you need help work with the librarian.
Design and submit an outline of the information you have uncovered. You will use this information to complete the project. The outline should contain information and cited resources for:
- Name of the disease chosen
- Causing microbe
- Mode of infection
- Mode of spread
- Group or groups specifically susceptible
- Where outbreak occurred and when
- Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
- Infection control.
F. First, using the information found, develop a one to two page maximum overview of the disease outbreak and the causal microbe.
Second, design a map showing the origin and spread of the infection.
Third, design a guide for communities on surveillance, control, preparedness and response to the outbreak. If this includes quarantine, describe how the community would carry this out, what resources would be needed, and what the communication protocol would be.
G. You have done a great job preparing to be assigned by WHO to a remote site where you will set up your field lab. Is there anything else you need to be prepared? As much as having the right equipment, supplies, and knowledge about microorganisms, it is also important to know who to notify and what communication channels exist for reporting disease outbreaks. Discuss the policy for reporting contagious diseases that break out in a country where you are located. The Policy Response to an Outbreak
