Highlights
Unit learning outcomes
• Describe the principles of infectious disease epidemiology
• Critically review and evaluate surveillance systems for infectious diseases
• Apply the principles of outbreak investigation in the context of containing infectious diseases Submission Tunitin Return of grade & feedback
Tunitin
Background
Influenza (flu) is a potentially life-threatening illness. It is a contagious disease of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. Each year, influenza causes serious infection and death around the globe, usually in the winter months (seasonal influenza).
Due to some pre-existing immunity to the seasonal strains of influenza, most people only suffer a self-limiting illness, lasting from a few days to several weeks. Influenza can lead to complications and for some people - the elderly, people with poor immune systems and people with pre-existing respiratory, cardiac and endocrine disease—influenza can be a significant disease and cause death. It can also cause the death of healthy adults and children.
Three different types of influenza viruses infect humans - types A, B and C. Only influenza A and B cause major outbreaks and severe disease. They are included in seasonal influenza vaccines. Influenza C causes a common cold-like illness in children. Only influenza A is known to have been responsible for influenza pandemics.
Influenza A and B viruses have two main proteins on the outside of the virus: the haemagglutinin (H); and the neuraminidase (N) proteins. These proteins are referred to as ‘antigens’ because they are the structures to which our immune system responds. New strains of influenza A and B continually emerge because of the tendency of these H and N antigens to change.
Of the influenza A viruses, only subtypes H1, H2 and H3 have been transmitted easily between humans. Only the H1 and H3 subtypes are currently circulating causing seasonal influenza in humans.
While influenza B is essentially a human disease, influenza A viruses are found in many species. Influenza A occurs as distinct forms or subtypes based principally on their haemagglutinin antigen, of which there are 16 different versions. Water birds are the natural host of influenza A viruses. From time to time influenza A viruses have, however, successfully jumped the species barrier and have become established in other animals, including humans.
Description
You are required to create a structured report that covers the following points.
1) Disease process and surveillance Describe the disease process/natural history of influenzae and discuss which parts of the Australian surveillance system measure to which parts of the disease process and how they do this.
2) Surveillance system In Australia the national annual surveillance reports summarise key messages according to:
• Activity
• Impact
• Severity
• Virology
• Vaccine match and effectiveness
Describe what each of these terms means with regards to surveillance and management of influenzae and which surveillance activities/systems inform each component.
Master of Public Health
3) Interpreting surveillance data
Describe of each the following 5 figures in detail, interpret the data summarised in the figure with particular reference to 2019 compared to other years. Use your interpretations of these figures to summarise your understanding of influenzae activity, impact and severity in mid June 2019. Justify your response.
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