BUZZ is the word…

How are we at-risk for Vector Borne Diseases?

Introduction

Epidemiology is a branch of medical science that deals with the occurrence, distribution, and control of diseases in a population. The study of any disease and its inherited associated risk to the human population is of significant value. Presently though the implication of Vector Borne Diseases on public health, and the related public policies that stem from these issues, is of the utmost importance for an informed and safe public.

Task

You will work in teams of four to research, develop, and present a public policy proposal that addresses the prevention of an epidemic. During a town meeting your team will present a written proposal and a PowerPoint presentation incorporating your findings and your public policy to all the stakeholders.

Process

Your team is expected to follow the steps outlined below for a successful project.

· Your team will be assigned one of the following diseases (maximum 2 teams per disease).

- Lyme Disease - Deer Ticks

- Malaria – Mosquitoes

- Encephalitis – Mosquitoes ( West Nile Virus – new )

- Dengue Fever - Mosquitoes

· Each team will include the following stakeholders: a public health official, a medical

doctor, an environmentalist, and a public advocate.

- The public health official: an epidemiologist from the Center for Disease Control (CDC); an expert on disease, disease history, transmission, and probability; involved in public education and reporting.

- The medical doctor: a specialist in disease, symptoms, transmission, treatment, prevention, and cost. Also interested in public education.

- The environmentalist: an expert on environmental issues, existing policies on vector borne diseases, and the use of pesticides or alternatives.

- The public advocate: a watchdog for the community; always asking the right questions of the other experts; negotiator for the best policy that services everyone’s needs.

· Your team must research a particular disease in terms of cause, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, cure, prevention, and cost.

· Use the Background, Resources, and Guiding Questions sections below as a starting point and guide.

· Your team must use the TIPS Public Policy Analyst / PPA Site http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal. Research existing public policies on your topic and

submit a preliminary report using the PPA Worksheets # 1- 6.

· Use the data collected and prepare a final Written Proposal in the following way:

- Typed and double-spaced on standard letter size white bond paper (81/2” x 11”).

- Use font size 10 or 12 only.

- Include a Title Page – title, course, names of team members, teacher, due date

- Divide it into the following sections:

a) Introduction - Reasons for Public Concern

b) Background / History of Disease –including causes, symptoms, diagnosis,

treatment, cure, prevention, and cost.

c) Existing Public Policy – an analyst of the existing public policy(ies), as well as their effectiveness and feasibility.

d) Proposed Public Policy – your team’s proposal on new public policy addressing this issue or the amendments to existing policies. Include their effectiveness and feasibility.

e) References – use APA format.

f) Appendix – include a log of team roles, sessions, activities, and data.

g) HINT: Use the Written Proposal Rubric to guide you.

· Prepare a PowerPoint Presentation to be shown in class that demonstrates your creativity and the knowledge acquired about your topic. Be sure to include much

of the same material as in the Written Proposal. Note: Each team member must have an opportunity to present.

· Be prepared for a question and answer session at the end of the presentation.

Background

Helpful key terms and topics to research:

· Epidemiology

· Lyme Disease

· Malaria

· Sickle cell anemia

· Hardy Weinberg Theory

· Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium

· Dengue Fever

· Encephalitis

· West Nile Virus

· Vector Borne Diseases

· Mosquitoes

· Deer Ticks

· Pesticides

Resources

Helpful Resources on the Web:

TIPS Public Policy Analyst / PPA Site http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal

Center for Disease Control / CDC http://www.cdc.gov/

Lyme Disease

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/press r/levin.htm

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol1no1/morse.htm

Malaria

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol4no3/cetron.htm

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol1n02/wilson.htm

·

West Nile Encephalitis

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol3no2/telford.htm

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol5no5/hubalek.htm

Dengue Fever

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol1no2/gubler.htm

Global Vectors

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol4no3/gulber.htm

· http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol4no3/gulberg.htm maps

World-Wide Web Virtual Library http://www.epibiostat.ucsf.edu/epidem/epidem.html

West Nile Virus http://www.usgs.gov/west_nile_virus.html

http://www.usgs.gov/wnvfactsheet.html

http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r991004.html

http://www.sightings.com/ufo6/mose.html

Neurological Diseases and Viruses http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/mmi/jmoodie/neurol2.html

Writing Papers http://www.ucc.vt.edu/studysk/writpap.html

Guiding Questions

Social Issues:

· Is public information regarding disease transmission readily available or posted at

high- risk sites?

· Should curfews on outdoor activities exist?

· Should people be required to drain their pools?

· How do we protect people whose occupation expose them to hazardous environment

(i.e. park employees, sanitation workers, life guards, etc…).

Medical Issues:

· How is the disease transmitted?

· What are the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, cure, treatment, and prevention of this

disease?

· What are the consequences of living with the disease?

Environmental Issues:

· Should we restore wetlands if they promote an increase in insect populations?

· How do pesticides disrupt normal ecosystems?

· What is the effect of weather / climate on the outbreak of vector borne diseases?

· What is the effect of animal migration patterns on vector born diseases?

Economic Issues:

· What is the cost of using pesticides?

· What is the cost of medical treatment and/or prevention?

· What is the cost of research and education?

Ethical Issues:

· Should animals be sacrificed in order to prevent possible outbreaks?

· Should animals be used in research?

· Are minorities more likely to be exposed to vector borne diseases?

· Should people with chronic illnesses resulting from exposure be denied employment?

Evaluation

Grading Policy: This project is 25% of your final grade.

Performance Objectives:

(1) Preliminary Report 5%

(2) The Written Proposal 10%

(3) A PowerPoint Presentation 10%

Assessment Tools

Self/Student/Teacher Assessments

· Project Rubric

RUBRIC FOR PROJECT WEBQUEST

	Beginning 1/2	Developing 2/4	Accomplished 3/6	Exemplary 4/8	Score
Power point presentation Scale=0-8	Presents the audience with the minimum amount of data to support the proposed policy.	Presents the audience with several sources of data in an organized format to support the proposed policy.	Presents the audience with enough data in a creative and organized format to support the proposed policy.	Presents the audience with enough relevant data from primary sources as well as online sources to support the analysis of their proposed policy.
Written proposal Scale= 0-8	Incomplete, but follows the format presented in the PLEGAL web page.	Complete with too few analyses of existing policies.	Complete with additional references for a more relevant selection of the appropriate policy. Debates over two policies.	Complete and additional references, participation in policy-making, for a more convincing argument for the proposed policy. Debates over several policies.
Website search Scale= 0-4	Too few links relevant to the proposal.	Enough links, but limited to few organizations that support the proposal.	Excellent resources for the support of two policies.	Excellent resources for the support of several policies.
Public policy analysis protocol use Scale= 0-4	Minimal use of the PPA site.	Sufficient use of the PPA site.	Used the PPA site and additional resources.	Used the PPA site effectively and contributed to the updated version of the PPA site.

Project Due Date

June 2, 2000