Directions: To complete this worksheet, you will use a website called Epiville. The case study you will be learning about deals with SARS. Complete each step below to answer the questions.
Read the student role portion of the case study. Be sure to read the news transcript, along with the background information of the case, by clicking the links at the bottom of the page.
Read the data collection portion of the case study. Think about how this information will help you make a connection between a disease and a population.
Read the data analysis portion of the case study. Answer the eight practice questions on this page to prepare to complete this worksheet.
Read the outbreak control portion of the case study. Answer the practice question on this page to prepare to complete this worksheet.
Answer the questions below.
1.Provide a brief description of SARS, supporting your description with sources from the case.
2.Describe the patterns you can identify in the population impacted by the SARS outbreak, citing the case to support your response.
3.Draw conclusions about the mode of disease transmission based on your analysis of the disease and population.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV virus. It emerged in 2002 and spread rapidly across multiple countries, leading to a global outbreak. In this assignment, we will explore the case study of the SARS outbreak and analyze its impact on the population affected. By examining the provided data and information, we will draw conclusions regarding the mode of disease transmission.
1. SARS is a viral respiratory illness that was first identified in November 2002 in Guangdong Province, China. It quickly spread to other parts of China and eventually reached other countries through international travel. The case study provides evidence that SARS is caused by the SARS-CoV virus, which is primarily transmitted through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Additionally, close contact with contaminated surfaces can also contribute to the transmission of the virus (Epiville, 2022).
2. Analyzing the population impacted by the SARS outbreak reveals certain patterns. The case study highlights that certain groups were at higher risk of contracting SARS, including healthcare workers and individuals living in overcrowded settings. This indicates that close and prolonged contact with infected individuals played a significant role in the transmission of the disease. Additionally, the outbreak primarily affected urban areas with high population density, suggesting that crowded environments facilitated the spread of the virus (Epiville, 2022).
3. Based on the analysis of the disease and population, we can draw conclusions about the mode of disease transmission. The evidence presented in the case study strongly suggests that SARS primarily spreads through respiratory droplets, which are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The higher infection rates observed among healthcare workers and individuals in crowded settings further support this conclusion, as these situations involve closer and more prolonged exposure to respiratory secretions. Although surface contamination can contribute to transmission, it seems to play a secondary role compared to direct respiratory droplet transmission (Epiville, 2022).
In conclusion, SARS is a viral respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV virus. The outbreak primarily affected populations in urban areas with high population density and healthcare workers in close contact with infected individuals. The mode of disease transmission appears to be mainly through respiratory droplets, emphasizing the importance of practicing respiratory hygiene and maintaining appropriate distance from infected individuals to prevent the spread of SARS.
