Question

name:
date:
read the story of the ebola epidemic and determine the chain of infection. choose a color for each of the
elements of the chain and fill in the key below. locate each of the elements in the chain and then
underline those words with the matching color.
the 2014 ebola epidemic was caused by the zaire ebolavirus, one of the five ebola strands that is
pathogenic in humans. the virus is thought to be carried by fruit bats. ebola is introduced into the
human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of
infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope or porcupines found
ill or dead or in the rainforest. bushmeat hunters that come into contact with the infected secretions
become infected and then spread it to other humans through direct contact with people or by touching
surfaces and objects that have been contaminated with the virus. ebola enters the human body through
breaks in the skin, including cuts and open wounds and splashes on mucus membranes. symptoms begin
2 - 21 days after infection and the patient is contagious from the onset of symptoms.
symptoms include a fever, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal
pain, diarrhea, coughing and abnormal bleeding. death occurs an average of
6 - 16 days after the onset of symptoms from multi - organ failure and hypotensive
shock. the most vulnerable populations for ebola are
defined by their occupation. care givers in medical facilities
are at the highest. mortuary and burial workers are also at
high risk. there is no cure for ebola. treatment involves supportive care such as fluids, oxygen, and
treatment of complications. some people who get ebola are able to recover, but many do not.
infectious agent
reservoir
portal of exit
mode of transmision
portal of entry
susceptible host
smallpox was an infectious disease caused by one of two viruses, variola
major and variola minor. it is estimated that smallpox was responsible for 300 - 500 million deaths
worldwide. the last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in october 1977 and the world health
organization (who) certified the global eradication (elimination) of the disease in 1980. this was
accomplished by the creation of a vaccine by edward jenner in 1796. this vaccine was the first successful
vaccine to be developed.
what part of the chain of infection was broken by the development of the smallpox vaccine?

Explanation:

The chain of infection has six elements: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. A vaccine works by making the host less likely to get infected. When a vaccine is given, it helps the body's immune system recognize and fight the infectious agent. This means that even if a person (the host) is exposed to the virus (the infectious agent), their body can stop it from causing disease. So, the vaccine breaks the chain by affecting the susceptible host.

Answer:

Susceptible Host