Lecture 6: Epidemiology

Question 1

Epidemiology

Answer 1

• Study of disease ecology

- Process of disease transmission in populations

Question 2

Epizootic

Answer 2

Diseases that affect only animal species (not human)

Question 3

Anthroponoses

Answer 3

Diseases that occur only (or primarily) in humans

Question 4

Symbiosis

Answer 4

When two species live in “intimate contact”–closely together, or even within/on top of each other

Question 5

Mutualism

Answer 5

Both species derive some benefit to the association

Question 6

Commensalism

Answer 6

One species derive a benefit, the other species is not affected

Question 7

Parasitism/Predation

Answer 7

One species benefits, the other species is negatively affected/harmed

Question 8

Amensalism

Answer 8

One species is harmed, the other is not affected

Question 9

Competition

Answer 9

Both species are negatively affected

Question 10

Vector incrimination

Answer 10

Includes:

• Analyzing the role of the vector
• The relationship it has with the disease
• The relationship it has with the host

Question 11

Four steps to vector incrimination

Answer 11

• Demonstrate vector commonly feeds of the host/makes effective contact
• Demonstrate association in space and time between arthropod and infections in the host
• Repeated demonstration that vector harbors disease in natural conditions
• Demonstrate that disease can be effectively transmitted from infected vector to host

Question 12

Methods of Vector Incrimination

Answer 12

• Population sampling
• Molecular genetic analysis
• Ecological study of insects
• Tracking disease cases and reports
• Laboratory analysis of behavior and biology
• Studying vectorial capacity

Question 13

Vectorial capacity

Answer 13

• The dynamic relationship between the vector, host, and infectious disease
• The number of new infections in the host, per day, caused by a vector

Question 14

Carrying capacity

Answer 14

The limit to the number of individuals within a population, due to ecological constraints

Question 15

Reproductive capacity

Answer 15

The ability of the population to replace members lost to mortality

Question 16

Vector competence

Answer 16

Ability of an arthropod of become infected and transmit a disease

Question 17

Vector monitoring

Answer 17

Monitoring vector populations and biology

Question 18

Disease monitoring

Answer 18

Testing samples and specimens for disease (infection rates)

Question 19

Weather monitoring

Answer 19

Monitoring environmental conditions that favor transmission

Question 20

Host species monitoring

Answer 20

Watching for effects in the host species