Host Susceptibility

Question 1

What is the susceptibility of urban areas to epidemics and pandemics of an infectious disease due to?

Answer 1

1. Population density.
2. Variation in living conditions.
3. Healthcare provisions.

Question 2

Describe population density as a contributing factor to the susceptibility of a population in urban areas.

Answer 2

• Most diseases spread through close contact.
• The higher the population density the more people in an area.
• Infected people will come into contat with ininfected pople more often.
• Therefore diseases spread faster in high density areas.

Question 3

Describe the variation in living conditions as a contributing factor to the susceptibility of a population in urban areas.

Answer 3

• Many diseases are spread through body fluids.
• If drinking water isnt cleaned properly it can contain pathogens.
• In some coutrnies peope are forced to live in crowded and dirty condtions.

Question 4

Describe healthcare provisions as a contributing factor to the susceptibility of a population in urban areas.

Answer 4

• Poorer countries don’t have access to free healthcare, which makes them more susceptible to disease outbreaks.
• Diseases may go undiagnosed.
• Populations lack herd immunity due to a lack of immunisations.

Question 5

What can computer models do?

Answer 5

• Can project the spread of a disease and simulate the effects of possible inteventions.
• Supercomputing has enabled relationships between epidemic frequency and location and population size, environmental change, and antibiotic resitence to be predicted.

Question 6

Explain why international cooperation and communication are needed to evaluate the risk of the spread of a disease.

Answer 6

• Serious diseases are required by law to be reported to health authorities.
• This allows governments to collect infomation about these diseases and share it with other countries.
• This can prevent major outbreaks and help develop vacciens.

Question 7

Example why quarantine measures are required to protect Australia’s agricultural industry.

Answer 7

• Quarantine will isolate disease carriers until they are disease free.
• All food, plant and animal products must be declared.
• This prevents the introduction of exotic pests or diseases to protect agriculture and biodiversity decreasing.