Unit 2.5c - Challenges in Treatment and Control

Question 1

What is Epidemiology?

Answer 1

Study of outbreak and spread of infectious diseases

Question 2

What can the information from epidemiology studies can be used to do?

Answer 2

Plan and evaluate strategies to prevent the spread of parasites in the future

Question 3

What is herd immunity?

Answer 3

Way to prevent the s[read of diseases by vaccinating enough members of a population to limit the spread of parasites

Question 4

What is the herd immunity threshold?

Answer 4

Minimum density of resistant hosts required in a population to prevent the epidemic

Question 5

What are the three problems associated with developing vaccinations?

Answer 5

1. Many parasites are difficult to culture in a lab away from hosts
2. Parasites have very rapid evolution and change surface antigens regularly
3. Host Parasite Interconnection of Metabolism

Question 6

Why is host parasite interconnetion a problem in developing vaccinations?

Answer 6

Often vaccinations are highly linked which makes it difficult to find new drug compounds that only target the parasite

Question 7

What are the benefits of improved parasite control?

Answer 7

1. Reduction in child mortality
2. Improvement in child development/intelligence
3. Body is able to use more resources for growth and development

Question 8

What may be the only effective control strategy for parasites?

Answer 8

Target the transmission stage

Question 9

What two things are used to target the transmission stage of a parasites lifecycle?

Answer 9

Civil Engineering Projects

Co-ordinated vector control strategy

Question 10

How do civil engineering projects target transmission?

Answer 10

All work to improve sanitation
Prevents mixing of drinking water and contaminated water
E.g. Clean water supplies, sewerage systems

Question 11

What type of parasites are vector control strategies used for?

Answer 11

Mosquito borne diseases