Vector-Borne, Zoonotic, and Toxic Metal Risks

To prepare for this Discussion, read Chapters 5 and 6 of the course text. Review the PowerPoint presentations and the media presentation “Agents of Environmental Disease.” Investigate the following

websites:

• Visit the website of your own state’s department of public health and your county’s local public health agency. Investigate health risks that are relevant to your region. Make sure to use only government and other reliable websites when researching information on environmental risks in your area.

• Review the National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases website. Find information regarding various health risks and what to do when faced with them.

• Review the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) website. Consider the methods that the CDC recommends for prevention of outbreaks and also some of the challenges faced.

Post a brief description of one vector-borne risk, one zoonotic risk, and one toxic metal risk in your region.

Describe some of the methods for controlling the risks you selected. Then, analyze how the risks in your area compare to those of a different location.

Explain the similarities and differences.

Finally, explain probable reasons for those differences.

• Required Resources

Media

• Video: Laureate Education, Inc. (2010). Agents of environmental disease. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 1 minute.

• Readings

• Course Text: Essentials of Environmental Health

•

o Chapter 5, “Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases”

o Chapter 6, “Toxic Metals and Elements”

o PowerPoint: Chapter 5, “Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases”

o PowerPoint: Chapter 6, “Toxic Metals and Elements”

Web Resources

• Essentials of Environmental Health Flashcards

http://publichealth.jbpub.com/essential/friis/2e/Login.aspx?

o Chapter 5, “Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases”

o Chapter 6, “Toxic Metals and Elements”

• Websites

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, July 26). Emerging infectious diseases. Retrieved from

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Morbidity and mortality weekly report (MMWR). Retrieved from

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Morbidity and mortality weekly report (MMWR): Public health resources: State health departments. Retrieved from

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/international/relres.html

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). National center for emerging zoonotic and infectious diseases. Retrieved from

http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/

• Tyson, P. (2004, October 12). PBS: A short history of quarantine. Retrieved from

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/short-history-of-quarantine.html

• Optional Resources

Readings

• Book: Barry, J. (2005). The great influenza: The epic story of the deadliest plague in history. New York, NY: Penguin.

• Book: Pisani, E. (2008). The wisdom of whores: Bureaucrats, brothels, and the business of AIDS. New York, NY: Norton.

Media

• Bozman, R. M. (Producer), Goetzman, G. (Producer), Utt, K. (Producer), & Demme, J. (Director). (1993). Philadelphia. [Motion picture]. United States: TriStar Pictures.

• Gardner, C. (Producer), & Gardner, R. (Director). (2005). The plague. [Television broadcast]. United States: The History Channel.

• Henderson, D. (Producer), Kopelson, A. (Producer), & Petersen, W. (Director). (1995). Outbreak. [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.

• Spelling, A. (Producer), Vincent, E. D. (Producer), & Spottiswoode, R. (Director). (1993). And the band played on. [Motion picture]. United States: HBO.