Outbreak!
The Diagnosis and Transmission of SARS and MERS Coronaviruses
Author(s)
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
University of California, Irvine
acnichol@uci.edu
Abstract
This case study uses a PowerPoint presentation to guide students through two activities designed to teach them about the basics of coronavirus diagnosis and transmission. The first activity involves a set of five “clicker questions” that students answer using either a personal response system, online polling application, or show of hands as they consider symptoms and test results of a hypothetical patient. The second activity is an outbreak simulation in which students consider the spread of a pathogen in various geographical settings and from different perspectives. Students work together to draft a list of precautions that could be taken to limit the spread of the disease and minimize healthy individuals’ risk of contracting it. The simulation is designed for a biology lesson pertaining to outbreaks. Although coronavirus is used as the model, the concepts of disease transmission and prevention covered in this case are relevant to many diseases.
Objectives
- Characterize the first cases of coronaviruses and their outbreak history.
- Recognize the signs, symptoms, and tests required to diagnose for coronavirus.
- Explain how coronavirus is spread by human contact.
- Describe how a virus can “jump” between species.
- Explain how hygiene measures can mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
- Formulate proposals to respond to global outbreaks informed by the in-class simulation and presentation on the CDC’s methods.
- Acknowledge difficulties of diagnosing viral diseases.
Keywords
Coronavirus; SARS; MERS; outbreak; card game; simulation; diagnosis; transmission; risk factors;Topical Areas
N/AEducational Level
High school, Undergraduate lower divisionFormat
PDF, PowerPointType / Methods
Clicker, Role-PlayLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Biology (General) | Physiology | Science (General) |
Date Posted
03/09/2020Teaching Notes
Case teaching notes are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.
Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.
Answer Key
Answer keys for the cases in our collection are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.
Comments
Kathleen Gelso
kgelso@misericordia.edu
Nursing
Misericordia University
Dallas
03/20/2020
How timely! The PowerPoint is excellent. Considering this case study for next week as my nursing students are not going to the hospital. I would like to pull in current literature to tie it together. -----------------------------