VCE Biology Unit 4 - Chapter 8

Emerging Pathogen

A newly identified infectious agent that has recently increased in incidence or geographic range.

Re-emerging Pathogen

An infectious agent that was previously under control but has resurfaced due to various factors.

Impact of European Arrival

The effects of European colonization on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly regarding disease.

Reasons for Emergence of New Pathogens

Factors contributing to the rise of new infectious agents, including environmental changes and human behavior.

Reasons for Re-emergence of Existing Pathogens

Two main factors leading to the resurgence of previously controlled infectious agents.

Globally Connected World

A world where increased travel and trade facilitate the rapid spread of diseases across borders.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that can cause disease in hosts.

Emerging Infectious Disease (EID)

An EID is one that is new or hasn't been previously recognised, whose incidence has increased in the past 20 years, and that could increase in the future.

Zoonotic Diseases

Diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, such as SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19).

Re-emerging Infectious Disease

A disease that was once a major health problem globally or in a particular country, and then declined dramatically, but has again increased in incidence for a significant proportion of the population.

Antibiotic Resistance

A problem for society where bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, leading to broad-spectrum antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A species of bacteria that has developed resistance to methicillin and other antibiotics.

Multi-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

A species of bacteria that has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics.

Herd Immunity

The immunity that occurs when a large percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, thereby providing a measure of protection for individuals who are not immune.

Vaccination Rates

The percentage of individuals in a population that have received vaccinations, which is crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Epidemic Diseases

Diseases that occur in higher than normal levels in a specific area or population.

Transmission of Diseases

The process by which a disease-causing pathogen is spread from one individual to another.

Social Mixing

The interaction between different groups of people, which can facilitate the transmission of diseases.

First Nations Peoples

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia, who were significantly impacted by introduced diseases.

European Settlement

The arrival of European settlers in Australia, which led to the introduction of epidemic diseases to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Immunity

The ability of an individual to resist infection, often due to previous exposure to pathogens.

Population Density

The number of individuals living in a given area, which can affect the rate of disease transmission.

Traditional Foods

The foods that are native to a culture, which can impact health when replaced by a different diet.

Ebola

A viral disease that can cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and is transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.

Spanish Flu

A deadly influenza pandemic that occurred in 1918-1919, resulting in millions of deaths worldwide.

Bubonic Plague

A highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, historically known for causing pandemics.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a virus that attacks the immune system and can lead to AIDS.

Malaria

A disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

Influenza

A viral infection that affects the respiratory system and can lead to widespread illness.

Smallpox

A contagious disease caused by the variola virus, characterized by fever and a distinctive skin rash.

Whooping Cough

A highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Measles

A highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, cough, and a distinctive rash.

Mumps

A viral infection that primarily affects the salivary glands, causing swelling and pain.

Rubella

A contagious viral infection that causes a mild rash and fever, also known as German measles.

Pneumonia

An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid.

Typhoid

A bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi, characterized by fever, weakness, and abdominal pain.

European Impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

The introduction of epidemic diseases by European settlers in 1788, which led to widespread deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations due to lack of immunity.

Epidemic Diseases Introduced

Diseases such as smallpox, typhoid, pneumonia, whooping cough, syphilis, measles, mumps, rubella, and influenza that were introduced to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Traditional Foods Restriction

The imposition of a European diet on First Nations peoples, which affected their health.

Impact of European Settlement

The immediate consequence of European arrival that included a wave of epidemic diseases affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Incidence Increase

The rise in the occurrence of a disease within a population over a specified time period.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Transmission

The process by which a pathogen is spread from one host to another.

Human Behavior

A major contributing factor to the emergence of new pathogens, influenced by changes in lifestyle and practices over time.

Anti-vaccination Movement

A movement that spreads false claims linking vaccinations to health issues, which can lead to decreased vaccination rates.

EIDs and Public Health

Emerging infectious diseases that can become major public and global concerns as potential causes of epidemics or pandemics.

Bacterial Conjugation

The process by which bacteria can transfer genetic material, including antibiotic resistance genes, to one another.

Environmental Conditions

Factors that can change and favor the survival of disease vectors, contributing to the re-emergence of pathogens.

Infectious Diseases

Diseases caused by pathogens that can be transmitted from one individual to another.

Novel Pathogens

Newly identified microbes, including unique species or strains of viruses that can cause diseases.

Mutations

Changes in the genetic material of an organism that can lead to new strains of pathogens, such as influenza.

Global Connectivity

The increased interconnectedness of the world that allows for rapid spread of pathogens across international borders.

First Fleet Arrival

The arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet in 1788, marking the beginning of European settlement in Australia.

Susceptible Individuals

People who lack immunity to certain diseases, making them more vulnerable to infection.

Health and Sanitation

Conditions that can affect the vulnerability of populations to infectious diseases, particularly in low-income areas.

Reasons for the emergence of new pathogens

Factors such as changes in human behavior, environmental changes, and increased human-animal interactions that contribute to the appearance of new infectious agents.

Reasons for the re-emergence of existing pathogens

Two main reasons include antibiotic resistance and reduced vaccination rates.

Impact of European arrival on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The arrival of Europeans led to the spread of infectious diseases that significantly affected the health and population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Scientific strategies

Strategies that act to reduce or stop transmission of and infection by a particular pathogen and to potentially develop treatments to control or eliminate the pathogen.

Social strategies

Strategies that support the scientific effort to reduce and control the spread of a pathogen in a population.

Identification of pathogens

The process of determining the disease-causing pathogen, which is crucial for understanding transmission and potential treatment.

Physical/structural examination

Techniques used to identify pathogens through methods such as electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Molecular examination

Identification of specific DNA or RNA sequences unique to different pathogens, mainly used for viruses.

Immunological examination

The use of antigens and antibodies to detect the presence of either antigens or antibodies within a patient's blood.

Contact tracing

The process of gathering information about who infected people have had contact with and the locations they have visited when infectious.

Modes of transmission

The various ways in which a disease can be transmitted between hosts.

Incubation period

The period of time from infection to the first sign of symptoms of the disease.

Asymptomatic carriers

Hosts that do not show any symptoms of the disease while still being able to transmit it.

Promoting effective hygiene

Encouraging practices such as thorough hand washing to control the spread of pathogens.

Disinfectants

Antimicrobial products aimed at destroying pathogenic microorganisms on external non-living objects.

Antiseptics

Antimicrobial products aimed at destroying pathogenic microorganisms on the surface of organisms.

Antibiotics

A type of antimicrobial substance that either kills bacteria or inhibits their growth, and is not effective against viruses.

Bactericidal

Antibiotics that kill bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

Antibiotics that inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Antiviral drugs

Medications used specifically for treating viral infections rather than bacterial ones.

Fungicides

Chemical compounds used to kill parasitic fungi or their spores.

Fungistatic

A type of fungicide that inhibits the growth of fungi.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

PCR testing

A method that involves using specific known primers which will adhere to DNA or RNA if gene regions are present.

ELISA

A test used to detect the presence of specific antibodies in a sample.

Hybridisation tests

Tests that use gene probes to identify specific regions of DNA that may be present.

UV light

A natural method of killing some microorganisms.

Heat treatment

A natural method of killing some microorganisms.

Vector control

Measures taken to manage and control the population of vectors that transmit pathogens.

Insect repellents

Products applied to the body to deter insects that may carry pathogens.

Social distancing

A social measure to reduce the spread of pathogens by maintaining physical distance between individuals.

Lockdowns

Measures implemented to restrict movement of people to control the spread of infectious diseases.

Testing

Encouraging individuals to get tested if symptomatic to identify and control the spread of pathogens.

Vaccination

Encouraging or mandating vaccination to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Chemical agents

Substances used to prevent the spread of pathogens, including disinfectants, antibiotics, antivirals, and fungicides.

Biochemical testing

Testing that uses selected cultured mediums to grow bacteria and observe their response.

Gram stain

A method used to elicit different bacterial responses to chemicals.

Whole genome sequencing

A method to provide full DNA or RNA sequences for comparison against databases.

Sterilisation of public surfaces

The process of cleaning surfaces to eliminate pathogenic micro-organisms.

Wearing face masks

Using protective masks to reduce the transmission of pathogens.

Insect screens

Screens placed in houses to prevent insect entry.

Mass vector culling

The process of eliminating vectors that transmit infectious diseases.

General principles of disease management

Guidelines that vary depending on the disease in question.

Success criteria

Criteria used to evaluate understanding of disease management principles and identification methods.

Types of Vaccines

Currently the major types of vaccines available include: live attenuated, inactivated, toxoid, virus-like particles, mRNA/DNA, subunit, and viral vectors vaccines.