Online Resources for Understanding Outbreaks 
and Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Disease outbreaks can be a powerful topic for teaching about science and health. This Feature reviews resources for bringing up up-to to-date information on this hot topic into the classroom.

Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases: Insights, Advances, and Challenges

“…EID thus falls under two major categories—newly emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. Newly emerging infections refer to diseases that have been discovered in the human host or a population for the first time; reemerging infectious diseases can be defined as infectious diseases that reappear, usually in more pathogenic form and in rapidly increasing incidence or new geographic locations after apparent control or eradication [ 6 , 7 ]. Emerging infections (EIs) have featured prominently in the course of human history; they have caused inestimable harm to humanity [ 16 ].…”

“…Infectious diseases arise upon contact with an infectious agent. Five major infectious agents have been recognized, namely, bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and helminths [ 7 , 51 ]. Various factors can be identified that create opportunities for infectious agents to invade human hosts.…”

“…The world is constantly faced with challenges from infectious diseases, some of which, though having pandemic potential, either receive less attention or are neglected. There is a need for constant awareness of infectious diseases and advances in control efforts to help engender appropriate public health responses [ 7 , 8 ].…”

An infectious way to teach students about outbreaks

“…In addition, virtual exercises and complex computer simulations which incorporate network models have been used as teaching tools ( Huang et al, 2010 , Neulight et al, 2007 , Hsieh et al, 2006 ). Furthermore, there are now numerous interactive online teaching resources that allow the user to ‘solve’ outbreaks by playing the epidemiologist ( Barber and Stark, 2015 , CDC, 2017b , Center for Technology in Teaching and Learning, Rice University, 2017 ). The University of Cambridge provides a selection of online games where the aim of the game is to infect as many people as possible using the characteristics of a specific infectious disease such as influenza ( Cambridge Infectious Diseases, 2017 ).…”

Exploring Infectious Disease Outbreaks and Herd Immunity Through Simulations with a Visual Appeal

“…Numerous resources and simulations are available highlighting infectious diseases and vaccination ( 1 – 3 ). The spread of infectious diseases is often simulated using the pH indicator phenolphthalein to trace a basic solution as the infectious agent ( http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/app/uploads/2014/09/1_Epidemics-NGC.pdf ).…”