Strategies to Deal with Emerging New Diseases (14.3) Flashcards
Emerging infectious diseases may be defined as:
- previously unrecognised diseases
- diseases that have increased in incidence, virulence or geographical range over the past 20 years
- diseases that may increase in the new future
State what infectious diseases may be caused by
Pathogens
State whether or not new diseases can emerge due to mutations in a pathogen
Yes.
State whether or not new diseases may emerge as pathogens adapt to a new host under different selection pressures or circumstances
Yes.
State 2 ways news diseases can emerge
- Mutations in pathogen
2. Adaptation of pathogens to new hosts
State what mutations in a pathogen may increase
The ability of the pathogen to move into a wider range of host organisms
State what a disease that passes from another animal to a human host is known as
Zoonotic disease
Describe epidemic
Sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in the area
State what a disease is referred to when it reaches global proportions
Pandemic
State 5 factors which influence the emergence and spread of diseases
- Human demographics
- Human behaviour
- Changes in farming practices and food production
- Uncontrolled or inappropriate use of antimicrobials
- Lack of sanitation and poor hygiene
Describe pandemic
An epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents and affected a large number of people
State what bacterial cells exchange between themselves
Plasmid DNA
State by what process bacterial cells exchange plasmid DNA between themselves
Horizontal gene transfer
Describe horizontal gene transfer
Transfer of genes between cells
State where outbreaks of various diseases are common
Developing countries or isolated communities in developed countries
State what developing countries or isolated communities in developing countries typically lack that increases the chance of various disease outbreak
Infrastructure for reliable sanitation amenities (e.g. clean running water, effective sewerage systems and adequate health services)
State what wildlife and agricultural species are at risk of
New disease emergence from pathogens already in the environment and from introduced species
State why native species are susceptible to exotic pathogenic species
Exotic species originate from another country and native species have not coevolved with them and so lack defences against such pathogens
State what must occur for a fast-spreading disease to be controlled
- Disease cause must be identified
2. Test for infection developed
Describe 2 techniques that can be used to test for specific infections
- PCR to allow for full genome sequencing
2. ELISA
State what ELISA represents
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
State what ELISA identifies
Presence of specific proteins
State 7 factors which aid disease control
- Prevention
- Isolation and quarantine
- Control carriers
- Eradication of vectors
- Vaccination
- Education
- Response plans
Describe prevention as a method to aid disease control
Educate people about how disease spreads
Describe isolation and quarantine as a method to aid disease control
Infected people in hospital separated from other patients
Describe control carriers as a method to aid disease control
Destroy known carriers and ban consumption and commercialisation of meta and egg products which may be contaminated
Describe eradication of vectors as a method to aid disease control
Insect vectors should be eradicated (e.g. mosquitoes for malaria spread)
Describe vaccination as a method to aid disease control
Effective in preventing future infection
Describe education as a method to aid disease control
Inform people of the cause of the disease
Describe response plans as a method to aid disease control
Plans by government or communities need to be put in place to enforce the other 6 steps in the infection control response plan
