Biology Health and Disease Fungal and Protist Diseases

How is the Chalara ash dieback pathogen spread, and what type of pathogen is it?

The FUNGUS is carried through the air by the wind. Can also be spread when ash trees infected with the disease are moved between different areas.

What are the symptoms of Chalara ash dieback?

(For ash trees) Loss of leaves and bark lesions. This often leads to the death of the entire tree, either directly or weakening it to the point that it can’t protect itself from other diseases.

How can you prevent or slow down the spread of the disease?

Remove young, infected ash trees and replanting with different species of tree.

Place restrictions on import and movement of ash trees

How is the malaria pathogen spread?

Part of the PROTIST’s life cycle takes place in the mosquito. The mosquito picks up the malarial protist when they feed on an infected animal, but don’t get the disease themselves. Every time the mosquito feeds on another animal, it infects it by inserting the protist into the animal’s blood vessels.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Repeating episodes of fever. It can be fatal. Causes damage to red blood cells.

How can the spread of malaria be prevented?

By stopping mosquitos from breeding. Mosquitos breed in standing water, so people can get rid of any containers on their land that fill with rainwater.

People can also be protected from mosquito bites to stop the spread of the disease. Spray any exposed skin with an insect repellant. Sleep under a mosquito net.