Pandemics

=Introduction=

"A **pandemic** (from [|Greek] πᾶν //pan// "all" + δῆμος //demos// "people") is an [|epidemic] of [|infectious disease] that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance a __[|continent],__ or even worldwide." (Wikipedia, 2010)

Source Link: @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic = =

Several groups researched various aspects of pandemics and posted ideas and resources below.

= = =Preliminary Group Research and Project Ideas=

=**Delhi Group**=

Here are some of the major issues underlying our search:

Responsibility/Obligation Education Economic Impact Here are some questions related to each of the major issues.


 * 1) Who is responsible for controlling and dealing with a potential pandemic? The source country? The receiving country?
 * 2) Is education the real key? Who decides what/how to teach?
 * 3) What kind of economic impact does a pandemic have? Who pays the bill?

One of the major questions we discussed addressing in research was:

Since pandemics effect the global economy, how could we influence wealthier nations to invest in other countries for education and medical supplies to control outbreaks in prevention of pandemics?

Some of the suggestions given for countries to deal with future pandemics:

Governments should create rubrics for dealing with outbreaks and pandemic crisis. Seek balance between accountability and flexibility between agencies. Basic health education is crucial. Seek business support to help manage prices for poor, especially in crisis situations.

Here are some of the websites that our had been contributed:

=Resources=

@http://www.neatorama.com/2009/04/27/5-deadliest-pandemics-in-history/

This website gives you information on the 5 deadliest pandemic in the history. Also it gives details on them.

@http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=789279

This website includes 10 facts about pandemics and includes details. These facts are not only facts but useful.

@http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

This website has some articles about influenza and some other flu. Some of the articles talks about what to do before going on a vacation.

@http://www.cdc.gov/flu/Pandemic/

This site has some good sites to go to for information on pandemics.

@http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/pandemicinfluenza-guidelines

This site doesn't give much information on pandemics but has some guidelines and advise for influenza.

http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,8727-1-4845-...

This site tells you a little bit about how pandemics get spread and has some links that will lead you to useful information on pandemics.

@http://www.nctm.org/resources/default.aspx

This site gives good details on pandemics and has lots of links to click on to get more information.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/ops/hsc-scen-3_flu-pandemic-...

This site shows you the timeline of pandemic flues and has some other resources on other pandemic flues.

@http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLGNrC9k418

This is a long video on influenza viruses and pandemics. Even though I haven't finished watching them, I know that it would provide us with good information because the people in the video are from Stanford University.

**Bamako Group:**
Our research topic: Malaria is a parasitic disease that affects millions of people around the world every year. As a group we wanted to explore and try to answer the following questions about Malaria.

Research Questions: 1.) What is history of Malaria?

2.) How is Malaria transmitted?

3.) What are the symptoms of Malaria?

4.) What areas of the world are greatly affected by Malaria?

5.) What are the treatments for Malaria?

6.) Is there a vaccine for Malaria?

7.) Is Malaria preventable and if so how?

8.) What organizations help educate individuals about this disease?

9.)What is a country’s responsibility to preventing and treating Malaria?

10.) What is an individual’s responsibility to preventing and seeking treatment for Malaria? Each group member was assigned two research questions to answer. Along with answering two questions, each group member was responsible for annotating at least two resources they used.

Here is the research that has been posted:

Question: What is the history of malaria?

Malaria is an ancient disease that evolved way before humans. Scientists have been studying and trying to find the cure for malaria for hundreds of years, since its discovery. Malaria probably started in Africa and coevolved with its hosts (humans and mosquitoes). The first evidence of malaria parasites were in approximately 30 million year old mosquitoes preserved in amber from the Paleogene period. Malaria may have been infecting humans for the history of the species.

Question: How is malaria transmitted? – First, a mosquito infected by malaria bites a human. The malaria parasite enters the human and infects the liver within 30 minutes. Then the infection develops in red blood cells, which burst and infect other cells. This is the phase where the person becomes anemic and very ill with fevers. When a mosquito bites the person at this point, the mosquito gets infected. Then the malaria parasite goes through changes in the mosquito's gut so it's ready to infect the next person bitten.

Question: What is a country’s responsibility to preventing and treating Malaria? CDC The goal of most current National Malaria Control Programs and most malaria activities is to reduce the number of malaria-related cases and deaths. To reduce m.alaria transmission to a level where it is no longer a public health problem is the goal of what is called malaria "control." Question: What is an individual’s responsibility to preventing and seeking treatment for Malaria? Immediate and diligent treatment to prevent spread of Malaria

Our group even found some statistical information on Malaria: Globalhealthfacts.org – I took a chart of where the largest number of malaria cases were reported (1 million and up) and added their populations in the table to compare percentages. By far, the largest percentages exist on the continent of Africa, Ghana being

Rank Country Name Number Population % Global 243,000,000 1 Nigeria 57,506,430 146,255,312 39.32% 2 Congo (Dem. Republic of) 23,619,960 66,514,504 35.51% 3 Ethiopia 12,405,124 82,544,000 15.03% 4 Tanzania (United Rep. of) 11,539,867 40,213,360 28.70% 5 Kenya 11,341,750 37,953,840 29.88% 6 India 10,649,554 1,147,995,904 0.93% 7 Uganda 10,626,930 31,367,972 33.88% 8 Mozambique 7,432,539 21,284,700 34.92% 9 Ghana 7,282,377 9,806,509 74.26% 10 Cote d'Ivoire 7,028,990 20,179,602 34.83% 11 Burkina Faso 6,226,667 15,264,735 40.79% 12 Niger 5,759,935 13,272,699 43.40% 13 Cameroon 5,091,300 18,467,692 27.57% 14 Sudan 5,022,809 40,218,256 12.49% 15 Malawi 4,527,651 13,931,891 32.50% 16 Mali 4,317,487 12,324,029 35.03% 17 Myanmar 4,208,818 47,758,180 8.81% 18 Chad 4,178,935 10,111,337 41.33% 19 Guinea 3,766,478 9,806,509 38.41% 20 Zambia 3,655,203 11,669,534 31.32% 21 Angola 3,554,908 12,531,357 28.37% 22 Rwanda 3,251,156 9,720,654 33.45% 23 Benin 3,238,973 8,532,347 37.96% 24 Bangladesh 2,974,592 160,000,128 1.86% 25 Zimbabwe 2,694,304 11,350,111 23.74% 26 Indonesia 2,518,046 237,512,352 1.06% 27 Sierra Leone 2,272,651 6,294,774 36.10% 28 Burundi 2,270,872 8,074,254 28.12% 29 Togo 2,085,590 5,858,673 35.60% 30 Central African Republic 1,574,295 4,444,330 35.42% 31 Papua New Guinea 1,508,013 5,931,769 25.42% 32 Pakistan 1,498,882 172,800,048 0.87% 33 Liberia 1,459,884 3,354,587 43.52% 34 Senegal 1,456,336 47,758,180 3.05% 35 Brazil 1,378,697 196,342,552 0.70% 36 Congo 1,331,668 66,554,504 2.00%

CDC In 2008, an estimated 863,000 people died of malaria -- most were young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Healthscout.com Each year in the U.S., there are an average of 1000 imported infections; a few cases of locally acquired, mosquito-transmitted infection from an imported case; and an average of four deaths from falciparum malaria. Most of the imported infections are acquired from tropical Africa.” • Case management (diagnosis and treatment) of patients with malaria • Prevention o Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) o Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnant women (IPTp) o Indoor residual spraying (IRS) In most malaria-endemic countries, the above interventions comprise the essential package of malaria interventions---case management (diagnosis and treatment), ITNs, IPTp, and IRS. Occasionally, other interventions are used: • Larval control and other vector control interventions • Mass drug administration and Mass fever treatment

Resources Used for Research
"History of Malaria – " Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. [].

This website gives an overview of the history of Malaria. It also gives insight to treatments for Malaria.

"How Is Malaria Transmitted? Malaria - Global Health Programmes - Our Work with Communities - GlaxoSmithKline." GlaxoSmithKline - Improving Health and Quality of Life - Do More, Feel Better, Live Longer - GSK.com. Web. 16 Mar. 2010. []

This website gives a brief overview of how Malaria is treated.

Malaria Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment on MedicineNet.com." Web. 16 Mar. 2010.

This websites shares information with viewers on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, preventions and treatment of Malaria.

[]

This website from the Center of Disease Control gives insight on Malaria. It gives statistical information as well as information on the origin and transmission of the disease.

[]

This website gives statistical information on Malaria. This site evens gives visual representations of Malaria statistics around the world.

[]

This website gives statistical information about Malaria. This site also gives insight to the disease’s origin, symptoms, treatments and prevention tactics.

__**Tokyo Group: H1N1 Pandemic**__
__Research Topic__: H1N1 is a terrible virus that has affected people all over the world. This disease began in Veracruz, Mexico and has viciously spread throughout the world to the point where the WHO and CDC has stopped counting the number of fatalities because they have lost track. As a result of this pandemic and its negative affects on the world, different countries and trying to find ways to learn more about the disease, ways to prevent it, and ways to treat people who have been infected.

__Inquiry Questions__: • What have we learned about this disease that could help us prevent a future outbreak? • How can we protect ourselves from becoming infected with the H1N1 virus (vaccines, vitamins, washing our hands, confinement, etc.)? Also, if there are preventative precautions that states, cities, etc. can take how much will these cost, and who will be responsible for implementing them? Where will the money come from? • How can we treat people who have already become infected with this disease? Are there different forms of the virus that are harder to treat than others? • What complications are keeping people around the world from being treated if they have the virus? Is there anything we can do to help these individuals receive the best treatment for this condition?

__Research Findings and Conclusions__: What have we learned about this disease that could help us prevent a future outbreak? · Virus spreads from person to person (coughing, sneezing, and talking) world-wide and was first identified in the United States in April 2009. The WHO has declared the “swine flu” a pandemic. · Numbers of swine flu cases have declined since November, but there are still cases in the United States. · Flu pandemics occur in waves and it is possible for the wave to return in the future. There are predictions that the next wave to hit the United States will happen in the winter of 2010. · The 2009 H1N1 virus is going to be part of the H1N1 vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere in the upcoming flue season. · After you get the flu once, you develop a resistance to it, and can’t get the same strain of the flu virus again. · The flu virus can survive on surfaces and infect a person two to eight hours after being placed on a surface. · The flu virus can be destroyed by using heat. If used in high concentrations for a sufficient length of time peroxide, soap, iodine antiseptics, and alcohols are effective tools for combating the flu virus.

How can we protect ourselves from becoming infected with the H1N1 virus (vaccines, vitamins, washing our hands, confinement, etcetera)? Also, if there are preventative precautions that states, cities, etcetera can take how much will these cost, and who will be responsible for implementing them? Where will the money come from? · The head of the WHO says that the seasonal flu vaccine will cost countries anywhere from $2.50-$20.00 per dose. · Seasonal flu vaccine (used to prevent the seasonal flu) · 2009 H1N1 vaccine (to prevent H1N1 flue virus, or the “swine flu”) · The CDC states, “A flu vaccine is by far the most important step in protecting against flu infection.” · “Swine flu parties”: These are gatherings in which people who do not have the flu come in close contact with someone who does have the flu. The hope is that the uninfected person will get the infection, fight it off, and have natural immunity. The problem with this method is that a more serious version of the flu could develop, and there will be no immunity for it. The CDC does not recommend this method for prevention. The CDC states that the best way to prevent the H1N1 virus is to get vaccinated every year. · The CDC states that everyone should take the following everyday steps to protect their health: o Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. o Frequently wash your hands using soap and water. o Try not to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, because this is how germs are commonly spread. o Avoid being around people who are sick. o If you become ill with flu like symptoms you need to stay home for at least twenty-four hours once your fever is gone. · Visit the following links from the CDC regarding the H1N1 vaccine and the Seasonal Flu vaccine: o [|H1N1 Flu Vaccination Resources] o [|Preventing Seasonal Flu With Vaccination]

How can we treat people who have already become infected with this disease? Are there different forms of the virus that are harder to treat than others? · Antiviral drugs: these types of drugs can make an individual better faster. Also, they are used to prevent complications from the flu. It is crucial for this drug to be used early in all flu cases for it to have a positive effect on the patient. · Most people who are normally healthy and develop the flu do not need to be treated. The flu commonly runs its course, and people recover without any side effects. · The flu is difficult to treat because it occurs in waves. Just because a person gets vaccinated for one form of the flu, does not mean that they are not susceptible to the new strain of flu when it hits again.

What complications are keeping people around the world from being treated if they have the virus? Is there anything we can do to help these individuals receive the best treatment for this condition?
 * Marie-Paule Kieny from the WHO reports, “there would not be enough vaccines for the world’s population and that people should not rely entirely on the vaccine.”
 * She goes on to say that everyone does not need to be vaccinated. Pregnant women and people with other major health risks such as diabetes should get the vaccine. Everyone else should take measures to stay healthy such as maintaining good personal hygiene, avoiding large groups of people, antibiotics, and school closure if someone is infected with the flu.
 * President Obama requested $2.7 billion to aide developing countries in H1N1 funding. His goal was to buy vaccines and antiviral drugs for his immunization campaigns in the Fall. This is on top of $1.8 billion that the administration already pulled together for trying to prevent the virus.

What is a country’s responsibility?
 * A country’s responsibility is to educate its citizens about good hygiene techniques as well as simple, everyday tasks that individuals can do to prevent the flu.
 * Also, each country’s job is to be empathetic, and reach out to other places in need. This relates to cosmopolitanism, and whose duty is it to care for others. The truth is this pandemic is negatively affecting many individuals in many different countries. As a result, everyone needs to pull together and find ways to help not only prevent the virus, but also to help people who are infected with the virus.
 * The United States has already made an effort to help developing countries become more educated about the virus, and also to help people get vaccinated.

What is an individual’s responsibility?
 * Each individual has the responsibility of taking steps of good hygiene to prevent the flu. Also, people who have other health complications need to take appropriate steps to receive the flu vaccine.
 * Also, people who already have the flu need to be responsible and stay out of work, school, and other public places until the virus has passed. It is also important to seek medical attention if the symptoms are severe.
 * Lastly, individuals need to educate other individuals about flu precautions whenever possible.

__Resources__: American Academy of Family Physicians. (2010). //H1N1 Flu//. Retrieved from [] This website provides current information about the H1N1 flu. It also has a lot of valuable links with more information about the flu. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2010, February). //H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information//. Retrieved from [] This webpage contains information about the H1N1 flu that pertains primarily to young children and their parents. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, February 10). //2009 H1N1 Flu ("Swine Flu") and You//. Retrieved from []. This was published by the CDC and discusses the H1N1 flu. The article details what the flu is, along with some mild and severe symptoms. The CDC also discusses the vaccines for the H1N1 virus as well as the seasonal flu. Lastly, there are preventative tips that can be taken daily to ensure good health. DeNoon, Daniel J. (2009). //Swine Flu FAQ//. Retrieved from []. This article answers a lot of commonly asked questions about the H1N1 virus. There is also a slideshow included about the virus. Medical News Today. (2010). //H1N1 Vaccine to Cost Countries $2.50-$20 per Dose//. Retrieved from []. This article is about developing countries suffering from H1N1 and their inability to afford the flu vaccine. It also describes what President Obama has done to aide other countries in the battle against the H1N1 pandemic. Medline Plus. (2010, March 26). //H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)//. Retrieved from [] This webpage describes what the H1N1 flu is, and how to prevent it. This website also provides links to many other useful websites that talk about the H1N1 flu. Rhiza. (2007). //Tracking the Progress of H1N1 Swine Flu//. Retrieved from []. This website provides maps that show where H1N1 cases are currently located. It also depicts the number of fatalities as a result of the disease. Also, at the bottom of the page there is also a message board with a lot of other resources and statistics. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). //Flu.gov//. Retrieved from []. This webpage depicts a lot of different information about the flu. It discusses flu symptoms as well as prevention. There are also resources such as videos, blogs, and handouts about the flu. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2010, March 5). //FDA 2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu page//. Retrieved from [] This website provides information about antiviral drugs as well as both flu vaccines. It also tells the reader where to get vaccinated for prevention of the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu. World Health Organization. (2010). //Pandemic (H1N1) 2009//. Retrieved from []. This website is published by the World Health Organization. It includes a description of the H1N1 virus and pandemic. The site also offers some educational resources about H1N1 as well as statistics about the current outbreak.

=Reykjavik=

1.A summary of the work done in your city group:

Definition: a disease prevalent over a whole country in the world Definition: occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population Definition: an [|epidemic] of [|infectious disease] that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance a [|continent], or even worldwide.


 * __ Examples of pandemics throughout history __** ** : **

** -pandemics start and how it spreads throughout the air, water and living creatures ** __Where do you think a pandemic is most likely to occur? __ 2. Additional information that you found on your own
 * -the swine flu of bird flue **
 * - One pandemic was called the Plague also called " The Black Death". Victims would get boils and would die between 3 and 7 days **
 * A pandemic is likely to happen in a overcrowded place where there is little sanitation **
 * A pandemic is most likely to occur in a place with no cleanliness and with lots of people that live very close to each other **

The five deadliest pandemics in history: 1. The Peloponnesian War Pestilence 2. The Antonine Plague 3. The Plague of Justinian 4. The Black Death 5. The Spanish Flu The history and length of each of these plagues is interesting. The physical symptoms of these plagues are intimidating.

Unprepared for a Pandemic: Michael Osterholm 2007

“More than a year and a half ago, Foreign Affairs published three articles that sounded a clarion call to prepare for the next pandemic. They warned that another pandemic could occur at any time and at a staggering cost to human health and the world economy. These facts remain incontrovertible. At the time, many public health scientists believed that recent outbreaks of the H5N1 influenza virus in birds in Asia, Europe, and Africa, with occasional infections in humans, were precursors to the next pandemic. They still do today.”

“ Although it is impossible to know for sure whether H5N1 will ever evolve into the next human pandemic virus, more and more of the genetic changes documented in the 1918-19 virus have also been found to have occurred in recent H5N1 strains affecting both birds and people. Meanwhile, the spread of H5N1 infections to more avian species and to more humans continues to point to H5N1 as a likely strain of the next pandemic.”

3. Annotated resources (links, videos, articles)

Resources: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/62446/michael-t-osterholm/unprepared-for-a-pandemic @http://www.neatorama.com/2009/04/27/5-deadliest-pandemics-in-history/

@http://www.awfulgames.com/games/pandemic2_eom/ www.marriam-webster.com www. dictionary.com 4. Your opinion about a country's responsibility It is a countries responsibility to protect its citizens through preparation. I believe that each country should create as safe an environment as they are able against disease. Clean water and proper nutrition should be available to all people and each country should strive to provide these basic life needs. Also, a plan should be created that focuses on how to handle a pandemic if it were to break out in a country. A country cannot not prevent a pandemic from occurring but countries prepare for one and help make it more resistant to a outbreak. 5. Your opinion about an individual's responsibility To be educated is the responsibility of an individual. To think about the safety and security of the country as well as oneself is another responsibility of the individual. Also, to respect and obey the laws of the country and the border crossings. To practice and value hygeine and to seek to protect water, land, and vegetation from contamination and/or waste.

Pending: Students demonstrated their knowledge of pandemics and created a fictious pandemic that included the location, effects, name and vaccine needed.