Epidemics II (edX)

This is the second (spread of infectious diseases) of the four courses, covers these topics:

• Basic Concepts in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Epidemiologic Triangle: The Pathogen, The Host and The Environment
• Evidence Synthesis
• Infectious Disease Modelling

“If history is our guide, we can assume that the battle between the intellect and will of the human species and the extraordinary adaptability of microbes will be never-ending.”
Despite all the remarkable technological breakthroughs that we have made over the past few decades, the threat from infectious diseases has significantly accelerated. In this course, we will learn why this is the case by looking at the fundamental scientific principles underlying epidemics and the public health actions behind their prevention and control in the 21st century.
This course is part of the Epidemics-Origins, Spread, Control and Communication Professional Certificate.

What you'll learn

• Epidemic Curve
• Timescale of Disease Transmission
• The Pathogen: Evolution (Case1: Myxoma Virus)
• The Pathogen: Evolution (Case 2: Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
• The Pathogen: Evolution (Case 3: Antimicrobial Resistance)
• The Host: How Age Affects Disease Transmission and Severity
• The Host: Sexual Mixing
• The Environment
• Uncertainty in Modeling (Dynamic Uncertainty, Parametric Uncertainty)
• Uncertainty in Modeling (Structural Uncertainty, Scenario Uncertainty)

Syllabus

Week 1: Spread (Infectious Disease Epidemiology)
Basic Concepts in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Epidemic Curve
What is Incubation Period and Use of Incubation Period
Transmissibility of Communicable Diseases
Timescale of Disease Transmission
What is Severity of Infectious Disease
Difficulties Associated with Severity Estimation

Week 2: Spread (Epidemiological Triangle)
Epidemiologic Triangle
The Pathogen: The Effects of Dose and Pathogen Genetics
The Pathogen: Evolution (Case1: Myxoma Virus)
The Pathogen: Evolution (Case 2: Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
The Pathogen: Evolution (Case 3: Antimicrobial Resistance)
The Host: Overview
The Host: How Age Affects Disease Transmission and Severity
The Host: Sexual Mixing
The Environment
Supplementary Module: Influenza Immunity and Transmission In Time, Age and Space

Week 3: Spread (Infectious Disease Modeling)
Infectious Disease Modelling (Susceptible Infectious Removed Model)
Evidence Synthesis
Uncertainty in Modeling (Dynamic Uncertainty, Parametric Uncertainty)
Uncertainty in Modeling (Structural Uncertainty, Scenario Uncertainty)
Supplementary Module: Precision Public Health