Version B: Learners without prior knowledge of zoonoses and the One Health Approach.

Opening Questions 

Opening questions engage learners in a conversation related to the topic they are about to discover without focusing on right or wrong answers. You may use these, or other open-ended questions to kick off the lesson.

1. What does the word “microbe” mean to you?
2. What does the word “pathogen” mean to you?
3. What does the term “infectious agent” mean to you?
4. What do you understand about the ways that people can become infected with an infectious agent?

Instruction

Working in small groups and using internet sources, learners will generate a Chain of Infection for one of several infectious diseases. 

The following video resource from the CDC is recommended as a teaching aide to introduce key concepts related to infectious disease: https://youtu.be/1QLgXzyXOH0. Instructors may choose to provide this video prior to or during the class period. 

Facilitators may assign each group to a disease or allow groups to self-select. The diseases of interest and supporting information are as follows:

1. Diptheria: https://www.cdc.gov/diphtheria/index.html
2. Gonorrhea: https://www.cdc.gov/gonorrhea/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm
3. Ringworm: https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/index.html
4. Trichomoniasis: https://www.cdc.gov/trichomoniasis/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm
5. Rubella: https://www.cdc.gov/rubella/index.html

Working through each of the categories of the Chain of Infection, invite learners to discuss and describe each link in the chain. Learners will then create their own model to graphically represent each of the categories of the Chain of Infection. Facilitators may want to set aside time in class for groups to share their findings in addition to holding a group discussion.

Discussion or Writing

Lead a group discussion or assign written reflections based on the learners’ experiences with this lesson. Prompts include:

1. What are some of the similarities you noticed about the Chains of Infection for the different diseases?
2. What are some notable differences?
3. Prevention of disease involves discovering methods to break the Chain of Infection. What are some of the strategies used to break the chain for the diseases prevented? What are the strengths and weaknesses of trying to interrupt the chain of infection at different stages?

Example Chain of Infection Graphic

Source: https://openwho.org/courses/IPC-INTRO-EN

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