Communicable Diseases (Ebola Case Study)

This is the first lesson in the preventing and treating diseases topic (AQA synergy, trilogy, triple). Includes a recap of what is meant by ‘communicable diseases’, examples of pathogens, how they spread and how they can be controlled. I have included with this an ‘Ebola Case Study’ where pupils are given a fact sheet about Ebola (mechanism, spread, treatment, precautions) and asked to use this information to determine what went wrong in the most recent breakout and discuss the difficulties in terms of controlling spread.

I have used this case study both as a ‘hook’ at the start of the topic and as a revision-style lesson to bring knowledge from the whole topic together at the end. Can be used for pupils to work independently and form their own opinions & evaluate/justify, or can be used to stimulate debates & discussions.