Epidemics III from edX

“If history is our guide, we can assume that the battle between the intellect and will of the human species and the extraordinary adaptability of microbes will be never-ending.” (1)

Despite all the remarkable technological breakthroughs that we have made over the past few decades, the threat from infectious diseases has significantly accelerated. In this course, we will learn why this is the case by looking at the fundamental scientific principles underlying epidemics and the public health actions behind their prevention and control in the 21st century.

This is the third (control of infectious diseases) of the four courses, covers these topics:

Disease Surveillance
Non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI)
Vaccination (Effectiveness, Trials, Safety, Impact on Populations, Vaccine Economics, Confidence and Hesitancy)
Panel Discussion on WHO’s Response to the Ebola Outbreak; and Anti-vaccination

如果历史是我们的向导，我们可以认为人类的智慧和意志与微生物种惊人的适应性之间的斗争将永远持续下去。”(1)

尽管过去的几十年间我们在科技领域取得了令人瞩目的突破，可是传染病对人类的威胁却显著增加。本课程将通过学习流行病学的基础科学原理以及预防与控制流行病的公共卫生措施，对上述现象予以阐释。

这是四個课程中的第三个（傳染病的控制）, 涵盖以下主题：

疾病监测
非药物干预
疫苗 (效果, 试验, 安全性, 对人群的影响, 疫苗经济学, 信心和犹豫)
專家专题讨论: 世界卫生组织对埃博拉疫情的应对；和反疫苗行动

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(1) Fauci AS, Touchette NA, Folkers GK. Emerging Infectious Diseases: a 10-Year Perspective from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Emerg Infect Dis 2005 Apr; 11(4):519-25.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Emerging infections and outbreak detection
Syndromic surveillance
Serologic surveillance
Non-pharmaceutical interventions
Control of cholera
Hygiene and other personal interventions
Isolation and quarantine and contact tracing
School closure
International measures including travel restrictions and entry screening
Zoonoses - market closure
How vaccines work
Herd immunity and other indirect benefit
How to measure vaccine effect
Vaccine trials and safety
Measuring vaccine impact on populations
Vaccine economics
Vaccine confidence and hesitancy

新兴传染病與爆发侦测
症状监测
血清学监测
非药物干预
对霍乱的控制
卫生指施和其他个人干预
隔离指施與联系人追踪
学校停课
国际措施, 包括旅遊限制和入境检查
人畜共患病-市场封闭
疫苗如何发挥作用
群体免疫和其他间接好處
如何评估疫苗效果
疫苗试验和安全性
评估疫苗对人群的影响
疫苗经济学
对疫苗的信心和犹豫

Emerging infections and outbreak detection
Syndromic surveillance
Serologic surveillance
Non-pharmaceutical interventions
Control of cholera
Hygiene and other personal interventions
Isolation and quarantine and contact tracing
School closure
International measures including travel restrictions and entry screening
Zoonoses - market closure
How vaccines work
Herd immunity and other indirect benefit
How to measure vaccine effect
Vaccine trials and safety
Measuring vaccine impact on populations
Vaccine economics
Vaccine confidence and hesitancy
新兴传染病與爆发侦测
症状监测
血清学监测
非药物干预
对霍乱的控制
卫生指施和其他个人干预
隔离指施與联系人追踪
学校停课
国际措施, 包括旅遊限制和入境检查
人畜共患病-市场封闭
疫苗如何发挥作用
群体免疫和其他间接好處
如何评估疫苗效果
疫苗试验和安全性
评估疫苗对人群的影响
疫苗经济学
对疫苗的信心和犹豫

Syllabus

Week 1: Control (Disease surveillance)

Disease Surveillance Overview

Emerging Infections and Outbreak Detection

Syndromic Surveillance

Serologic Surveillance

Surveillance - Evaluation of Control Measures (Control Studies)

Surveillance - Evaluation of Control Measures (Active and Passive Surveillance)

Surveillance - Evaluation of Control Measures (Vaccine Effectiveness)

Supplementary Module: Harnessing Multinational Data Sources in Global Models to Inform Vaccine Policy

Week 2: Control (Non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI))

Non-pharmaceutical Interventions Overview and John Snow

Control of Cholera

Hygiene and Other Personal Interventions

Isolation and Quarantine and Contact Tracing

School Closure

International Measures Including Travel Restrictions and Entry Screening

Zoonoses - Market Closure

Week 3: Panel Discussion on WHO’s Response to the Ebola Outbreak

The Stocking Report

Outbreak Alert and Emergency Response

WHO Preparedness Centres

Ebola Vaccine

Health System Infrastructure

Lessons Learned

Communication Strategy

Week 4: Control (Vaccination)

Brief History and Current Issues

How Vaccines Work

Herd Immunity and Other Indirect Benefit

How to Measure Vaccine Effect

Vaccine Trials

Safety

Influenza Vaccines

Measuring Vaccine Impact on Populations

Vaccine Economics

Introducing a New Vaccine

Week 5: Panel Discussion on Anti-vaccination, and Supplementary Module on Next Generation Informatics for Global Health

The State of Vaccine Confidence

Vaccine Confidence and Hesitancy

Trust

Measles Vaccine

Experimental Vaccines: Ebola

Vaccination: a basic health right?

Supplementary Module: Digital Health & Epidemiology

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the complex relationship between human health and the adaptability of microbes

Covers a comprehensive range of topics related to disease control, such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination

Taught by experts in public health and infectious disease, providing learners with access to the latest knowledge and insights

Could be beneficial for those working in public health or healthcare

Requires significant background knowledge in public health and epidemiology

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Epidemics III with these activities:

Review general microbiology and immunology

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Reviewing general microbiology and immunology concepts will provide a strong foundation to understand the principles of epidemiology and disease control discussed in this course.

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Revisit textbooks or online resources to review key concepts in microbiology, such as bacterial structure, growth, and metabolism.
Review fundamental principles of immunology, including the immune system's components, cells, and mechanisms of action.

Track Infectious Disease Trends

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This project will allow you to apply your knowledge of infectious disease control to real-world data.

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Choose a disease to track.
Find data on the incidence of the disease.
Analyze the data to identify trends.
Write a report on your findings.

Practice interpreting surveillance data

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Reinforce your understanding of disease surveillance through practice exercises to prepare for more advanced topics later in the course, such as vaccine trials and non-pharmaceutical interventions.

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Use the provided dataset of surveillance data to identify trends and patterns.
Interpret the data to determine the effectiveness of different surveillance methods.
Identify potential sources of error or bias in the data.

Seven other activities

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Solve epidemiology problems

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Solving epidemiology problems will enhance understanding of outbreak detection, surveillance methods, and control measures discussed in the course.

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Find practice problems or case studies related to epidemiology and outbreak investigations.
Attempt to solve the problems independently, applying concepts learned in the course.
Review solutions or discuss answers with peers to identify areas for improvement.

Attend study groups

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Get together with other students to work on assignments, quiz each other, and have discussions about the material

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Find a study group to join or start your own
Meet regularly to work on assignments and quiz each other
Discuss the material and share your understanding

Write a summary of each lecture

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Summarizing the lectures will help you to reinforce the material and identify any areas where you need further clarification

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Take notes during the lecture
After the lecture, write a summary of the main points
Review your summaries regularly to reinforce the material

Do practice problems from the textbook

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Practicing problems will help you to solidify your understanding of the concepts and identify any areas where you need more practice

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Identify the practice problems in the textbook
Work through the problems on your own or with a study group
Check your answers against the solutions provided in the book

Attend a workshop on vaccine development and evaluation

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Gain insights from industry experts by attending a workshop that delves into the latest advancements and challenges in vaccine development and evaluation, complementing your theoretical knowledge with practical perspectives.

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Research and identify relevant workshops offered by universities, research institutions, or industry organizations.
Register for the workshop and prepare any necessary materials.
Actively participate in the workshop sessions, ask questions, and engage with the presenters and attendees.
Take detailed notes and document key takeaways from the workshop.
Reflect on the workshop content and consider how it aligns with your learning goals in this course.

Apply non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to a hypothetical outbreak

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Test your understanding of non-pharmaceutical interventions and develop critical thinking skills by simulating an outbreak and applying appropriate NPIs, considering their potential impact on public health and the economy.

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Choose a specific type of NPI (e.g., social distancing, travel restrictions) to implement in a hypothetical outbreak scenario.
Develop a plan for implementing the NPI, including the target population, duration, and enforcement mechanisms.
Evaluate the potential impact of the NPI on public health outcomes, including morbidity, mortality, and healthcare system capacity.
Consider the potential economic and social consequences of the NPI and propose measures to mitigate these effects.
Write a report summarizing your plan and evaluation, discussing the strengths and limitations of the chosen NPI.

Develop a vaccine education campaign

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Enhance your understanding of vaccine-related concepts and put your knowledge into practice by designing an educational campaign that promotes vaccine awareness, addresses misconceptions, and builds trust in vaccines.

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Identify the target audience for the campaign and research their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about vaccines.
Develop key messages and materials that address the specific concerns and questions of the target audience.
Choose appropriate channels and platforms to disseminate the campaign materials, considering the target audience's media consumption habits.
Develop a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of the campaign, including metrics for measuring reach, engagement, and impact on vaccine uptake.
Create a detailed proposal outlining the campaign plan, budget, and evaluation strategy.

Career center

Learners who complete Epidemics III will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Microbiologist

Microbiologists identify and study microorganisms, and this course can provide you with a strong foundation in the field of microbiology, especially as it relates to infectious diseases. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, which are all important considerations for microbiologists working to prevent and control the spread of disease. This course can help you learn about the latest techniques and methodologies for studying microorganisms, as well as the public health implications of their findings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study patterns of health and disease in populations, and this course can help you build a foundation in the science of epidemiology. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and provides an overview of the public health actions necessary to prevent and control infectious diseases. This knowledge is essential for epidemiologists, who are responsible for investigating outbreaks and developing strategies to protect the public from disease.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Physician

Public health physicians work to protect and improve the health of communities, and this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this field. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and provides an overview of the public health actions necessary to prevent and control infectious diseases. This knowledge is essential for public health physicians, who are responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs to protect the public from disease.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Physician

Infectious Disease Physician

Infectious disease physicians diagnose and treat infectious diseases, and this course can help you build a foundation in the field of infectious diseases. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and provides an overview of the public health actions necessary to prevent and control infectious diseases. This knowledge is essential for infectious disease physicians, who are responsible for providing care to patients with infectious diseases and working to prevent their spread.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infectious Disease Physician

Vaccine Scientist

Vaccine scientists develop and evaluate vaccines, and this course can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the science of vaccinology. It covers topics such as how vaccines work, herd immunity, and vaccine trials, and provides an overview of the public health implications of vaccines. This knowledge is essential for vaccine scientists, who are responsible for developing and testing new vaccines and working to ensure their safety and efficacy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vaccine Scientist

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses work to improve the health of communities, and this course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this field. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and provides an overview of the public health actions necessary to prevent and control infectious diseases. This knowledge is essential for public health nurses, who are responsible for providing care to patients with infectious diseases and working to prevent their spread.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts develop health care policy, and this course provide you with a strong understanding of the public health implications of different infectious disease policies including quarantine, school closures, and international travel restrictions. This knowledge can help you analyze and develop effective health care policies that can help to prevent and control infectious diseases.

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Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical research coordinators conduct clinical trials, and this course can provide you with a valuable overview of the principles and practices of clinical research. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, which are all important considerations for clinical research coordinators working on infectious disease trials. This knowledge can help you learn about the latest techniques and methodologies for conducting clinical trials, as well as the ethical and regulatory considerations involved.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental health scientists study the impact of the environment on human health, and this course can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the environmental factors that can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and discusses how environmental health scientists work to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases. This knowledge can help you learn about the latest techniques and methodologies for studying environmental health, as well as the public health implications of their findings.

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Global Health Consultant

Global health consultants work to improve health outcomes in developing countries, and this course can provide you with a valuable overview of the global health challenges posed by infectious diseases. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and discusses how global health consultants work to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases. This knowledge can help you understand the complex challenges of global health, as well as the skills and knowledge you need to work effectively in this field.

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Health Educator

Health educators develop and implement educational programs to promote healthy behaviors, and this course can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of health education. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, which are all important considerations for health educators working on infectious disease prevention and control. This knowledge can help you learn about the latest techniques and methodologies for developing and implementing health education programs, as well as the ethical and regulatory considerations involved.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators manage and oversee health care systems and will need to understand how to manage and prevent the spread of contagious diseases and outbreaks. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and provides an overview of the public health actions necessary to prevent and control infectious diseases. This knowledge can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to manage the complex challenges of the healthcare system, including the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

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Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative analysts use mathematical and statistical methods to solve problems, and this course can provide you with a strong foundation in the mathematical and statistical methods used in epidemiology. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and provides an overview of the public health actions necessary to prevent and control infectious diseases. This knowledge can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to use mathematical and statistical methods to analyze data and solve problems in epidemiology.

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Science Writer

Science writers communicate complex scientific information to the public, and this course can provide you with a strong foundation in the science of infectious diseases, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the public health actions necessary to prevent and control infectious diseases. This knowledge can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to write clear and engaging articles about infectious diseases that can inform and educate the public.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data, and this course can provide you with a strong foundation in the methods used to collect, analyze, and interpret data in epidemiology. It covers topics such as disease surveillance, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and vaccination, and provides an overview of the public health actions necessary to prevent and control infectious diseases. This knowledge can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to use data to make informed decisions about public health policy and practice.

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