Bio and information technology

Please see attachments 

Policy Memo: What is the Threat?

BSBD 641 – Summer 2020

POLICY MEMO

1. Select ONE (Chosen in week 1 discussion) infectious disease threat to the US (natural or deliberate). It can be a disease that is endemic to the US or one that could be accidentally or deliberately introduced. Select a disease that infects humans or animals.

2. Describe why this is a threat. This can be based on historical weaponization (for deliberate threats) or it can be a natural or emerging disease threat. Briefly describe key characteristics of the pathogen and the possible impacts. Try to identify the most probably impacts (not just the most extreme). This section should include both (a) relevant scientific information, and (b) impact assessments (likely morbidity and mortality due to susceptibility or other factors)

3. Describe three different courses of action to respond to the threat. This is not intended to be simple or simplistic. Identify three real options to respond to the threat posed by the pathogen. Your options can range from developing medical countermeasures (if there is time); controlling the disease at its source(s); to improving detection and response capabilities.

4. Assess these three courses of action. What will do the most to mitigate the threat? Are the required actions feasible (cost, resources, politics)? Who will need to be involved – and will they have an incentive to participate? Identify major risks and benefits (e.g., what if HHS will not fund a research study? What if another country will not allow the US to perform vaccine trials where the disease is endemic? Etc…)

5. Make a recommendation. Make a recommendation as to what to do and why.

6. Describe what it will take to implement the one recommendation. Identify at least 3 immediate (or near-term) actions that would need to be taken to implement your recommendation.

Requirements:

·

This is a memo, format accordingly.

· Only 2-3 single-spaced pages in 11 or 12-point font (Times New Roman)

· Each student must select a different pathogen

· APA format for references

Policy Memo: Grading Rubric (100 points)

FORMAT (20 points): Structure and writing is clear and professional. References are in APA format.

THREAT DESCRIPTION (10 points): Scientific information is relevant; impacts are carefully considered.

COURSES of ACTION (40 points): Options are distinct, address the threat, and are feasible.

ASSESSMENT (10 points): Risks and benefits of each option are clearly described.

RECOMMENDATION (10 points): Recommendation is well-argued.

IMPLEMENTATION (10 points): Actions recommended are logical.

Information Technology

It is a 5 page paper describing how you will filter the information coming in from the social media feeds for the EOC.

SARS, FMD, and Plague

Must post first.
The threat to biosecurity arises from beyond the specter of bioterrorism.  Emerging and reemerging infectious diseases when combined with global travel have the potential to flare into pandemics.  The SARS outbreak of 2003 startled the world into a new reality.  Suddenly a rapidly spreading unknown disease threatened the world.  Think about this in terms of the current SARS-CoV2 pandemic which we will cover in more detail in week 7.  
 

Naked Science
951K subscribers
Killer Bug – SARS Coronavirus

 
Discussion Assignment: 
1. Watch or read the transcript of the 2003 BBC Horizon production SARS: The True Story.  Then read about the subsequent impact of SARS in Canada. 
2. Learn about the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the UK (2001) by reading about the event and its impacts in the  Journal of Rural Studies and also by viewing this report from the PBS News, “Disease Damage”. 
3. Finally, read about the recent Plague outbreak in Madagascar (2017) by reading the first WHO Situation Report from October 4, 2017 and the last from December 4, 2017 to understand what we knew when.  See also the ECDC assessment of the outbreak from October 2017 and their response recommendations.
Consider these three very different outbreaks: SARS was a wholly new EID; FMD was a reemergence, and the plague in Madagascar (2017) was a particularly large outbreak of an endemic disease.  What struck you as important about these outbreaks in terms of EITHER (1) social impact; (2) detection of the outbreaks; OR (3) response activities?  You must select ONE of these aspects – but discuss all three outbreaks in your response.