Antimicrobial Resistance Animation of Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial Resistance Animation of Antimicrobial Resistance

This animation was produced by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as part of their veterinary information. The animation will reinforce things we have talked about in class with a different perspective. The twist is that we can consume pathogens from the foods we eat that could be antibiotic resistant due to the use of antibiotics in animals we consume.

Reflect on the following: What came first antibiotic resistance or the overuse of antibiotics? What is the relationship between the two? How can we reduce the development of resistant organisms? Finally, how does Horizontal Gene Transfer come in to play?

Influenza then and now

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20110919/spanish-flu-outbreak-study-110919/


Based on what we covered in lecture, your text, and after reading through the resources in BB on Influenza (In the Lectures section) post your comments on at least two of the following questions regarding Avian flu H5N1:

1. What is the source of this flu?
2.What is the relationship betwAeen birds, pig, humans and the flu?
3. How might an outbreak today compare with the1918 outbreak?
4. What would some of the consequences be of a pandemic today?
5. What is being done in light of the possibility of a pandemic?

Also, do you think there will be a major flu pandemic in the next few years?

Contagion! Fact or Fiction

Coming this September! Warner Brothers' version of a pandemic: Contagion.

View the trailer and comment on what you think the movie is about and how this movie relates to what you think you might learn in our class. In addition, what role would you play or who would you be in the movie if it were real life? In other words how does this movie relate to the career you envision for yourself. Policy maker/politician? Nurse, doctor, EMT? Researcher? Epidemiologist? We'll talk more in class about pandemics, fear, could this happen? We'll have to wait until the movie comes out before we can talk about how factual it is. In the meantime, remember, it's just a movie....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdzWcrXVtwg

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...

This could also be titled: So you think parasitic diseases are a third-world problem?

I've gathered some recent headlines about parasitic incidences and outbreaks right here in the very developed U.S. Parasitic diseases, especially the tropical types, are typically more commen in developing countries. This is especially true in children where their general health and nutrition is not optimal. But, parasites are alive and well anywhere there are animal (human and other) hosts. So read up. Comment on the following questions. What are the underlying causes and concerns in these outbreaks? What can happen when standard procedures are not followed or fail (ex., normal chlorination of water)? Should you be worried in your every day life?

http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2011/aug/29/disease-outbreak-prompts-shawnee-pool-close-early-/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817175920.htm

http://www.app.com/article/20110819/NJNEWS18/308190131/3-die-of-rare-brain-infection-from-amoeba-in-water

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/about.html

Welcome to our Blog!

The purpose of this blog is to give you, the students, the opportunity to share your thoughts, assignments, and projects with each other and perhaps the world. It is a classroom blog to begin with, however if you want to start your own blog we can certainly talk about that! The blog will be the hub of collaboration and sharing for our class. You will also comment on the work of your classmates. Finally the blog will become a repository of your good ideas.

We will learn some cool easy Web 2.0 tools to help you complete assignments and projects. You may already know some and can teach me! Eventually, with your own blog or using something like Google docs, you can begin to create an eportfolio of your work. This blog is different from our BB site because it allows you to embed projects, comment directly on other's work, read postings from guests, and more. There will be plenty of guidelines for you to follow and information on how, when, why, etc. So don't freak out! We will ease into it and I promise it will enhance your learning and not just take time away from your studies.

Take the survey on web tools (posted on BB) and watch the following video. Go to the "Tips for Blogging" page here and then share your thoughts (via comments below) on your reaction to using a blog in our class by answering the following questions: Have you blogged before? How do you think it might be helpful? What is your biggest concern? What might be fun about blogging here?

Let's get started!

Blogs in Plain English:

The Flu!

Based on what we covered in lecture, your text, and after reading through the resources in BB on Influenza (In the Lectures section) post your comments on at least two of the following questions regarding Avian flu H5N1:

1. What is the source of this flu?
2.What is the relationship betwAeen birds, pig, humans and the flu?
3. How might an outbreak today compare with the1918 outbreak?
4. What would some of the consequences be of a pandemic today?
5. What is being done in light of the possibility of a pandemic?Current situation with Avian flu outbreak

Reflect on the following:1. Do you think there will be a major flu pandemic in the next few years?2. How do we balance individual rights versus public welfare?

Fungus Fights Malaria

Here is a very timely short news item on Malaria research.

http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2011/02/28/lab-engineered-organism-fights-malaria

Read the article and comment about this:

Imagine that you read this prior to learning about Malaria (and fungi for that matter). What insights do you have now?