Application: Using the Epidemiological Triangle and the Chain of Infection

There are many different visual models and tools that can be used to map the transmission of infectious diseases. Two such models are the epidemiological triangle and the chain of infection. The epidemiological triangle illustrates the relationships between the agent, host, and environment for a disease. The chain of infection depicts how the disease travels from a reservoir into a host.

In this Assignment, you design a graphic of both the epidemiological triangle and the chain of infection for an infectious disease of your choice. Additionally, you write a detailed description for each of your graphics, explaining the components and links, how the disease is transferred, and ways to limit the spread of the disease.

To prepare for this Assignment,

• Select an infectious disease of interest to you, and that is different from the one you selected for the Discussion.

• Review the information in this week's Learning Resources on the epidemiological triangle and the chain of infection. You may also want to search for examples of each model from credible online sources.

• Consider how the infectious disease you selected can be illustrated using each of the two models.

To complete this Assignment:

• Create a graphic of the epidemiological triangle for the disease you selected. Include captions for each component of the triangle.

• Write a 1-page description of the epidemiological triangle for your disease. Explain the relationships between and among the agent, host, and environment.

• Create a graphic of the chain of infection for the disease you selected. Include captions for each link of the chain.

• Write a 1-page description of the chain of infection for your disease. Explain how the disease flows from one link to the next and what can be done at various stages to break the chain.

Required Resources

Readings

• Course Text: Human Disease and Prevention
o Chapter 3, "Communicable Diseases"
o Chapter 4, "Epidemiology and Cycle of Microbial Disease"

Book Excerpt: Newson, L. A. (1998). A Historical-ecological perspective on epidemic disease. In W. L. Balée(Ed.), Advances in historical ecology (pp. 42-63). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

Advances in Historical Ecology by Balee, W. (ed). Copyright 1998 by Columbia University Press. Reprinted by permission of Columbia University Press via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Article: Wynia, M. K. (2007, February). Ethics and public health emergencies: Restrictions on liberty.American Journal of Bioethics, 7(2), 1-5.

Retrieved from the Walden Library using the CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

Media

• Video: Films Media Group. (2008). Emerging diseases: Prions and viruses. New York, NY: Author.

PowerPoint: Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Three epidemiological models [PowerPoint slides]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

• PowerPoint: Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Infectious disease process and chain of infection [PowerPoint slides]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Web Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Morbidity and mortality weekly report (MMWR). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/