Saturday, October 1, 2011

Diffusion Project

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/17/g912/disease.html

1. find web site that shows some kind of diffusion map of your cultural hearth. print out and draw 3 conclusions

2. Using computers find and note the following concerning the 1918-19 influenza pandemic:
  • location of outbreak
  • description of location (e.g., isolated region, military base, or urban area)
  • age of victims
  • number of dead in location
  • length of illness before death
  • means of prevention(e.g. gauze masks, or quarantine of individuals or villages
  • primary means of contraction
3. Students will compile findings on world map labeling them them with dates of reported outbreaks, number of deaths, and possible means of contraction.

4. Students will compare maps and analyze the pattern of the diffusion of the flu pandemic.
a. look for similarities and differences in the number of deaths.
b. what could account for some of these patterns
c. draw at least 3 conclusions about the spread of the flu

5. Assessment: Your group has been asked to plan a strategy to contain a virulent flu outbreak in a populous part of the world today, such as Western Europe. What features today would cause the flu to diffuse faster and farther? What features today would help slow and contain the flu? Write a report taking these factors into consideration, including information about more recent public health issues, such as the SARS virus.

Links:
About.com: GIS, GPS, and Technology in Geography
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Influenza Epidemic of 1918-19: A Selected Bibliography
National Geographic News: China Is Perfect Breeding Ground for Viruses Like SARS, Expert Says
National Geographic News: Deadly New Virus Draws Experts to "Hot Zones"
National Geographic News: Health Officials Struggle to Understand SARS
National Geographic News: The Mystery of the SARS Virus—How Is It Spread?

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