Learning Module 3: Finding Sources of Disease Transmission Risk

By the end of this module you will be able to:

List four categories of disease agent sources.
Discover conditions when disease transmission is likely to occur.
Describe the means of disease transmission in a given situation.

How to use this module

Learning module 3 screenshot There are no scrollbars like in Module 1. Click on the Next and Back links in the bottom right corner of the module to move forward and back.

The "pages" in this module are numbered. Look in the top right corner for the page number.

There are activities on some of the pages that might ask you to type in an answer, rearrange words, listen to stories and more. You will need to complete the activity before moving to the next page.

Click the Glossary link in the top right corner of the module to read the definitions for biosecurity terms used in this lesson.

Technology Requirements

The learning modules require a desktop Mac or PC computer/laptop to view and interact with. They were not designed for smartphones or tablets. Some features will work on smartphones and tablets, but not all.

The modules will not expand to full screen. Use the web browser zoom in or out options to enlarge or reduce the screen size, and click the F11 keyboard button to remove the browser navigation bar at the top of the screen.

Also, it is highly recommend that a printer be available for printing worksheets and summaries. This is especially true for the final module where students will be creating their own presentations.

Slide	Learning Module 3 Teaching Ideas: Finding Sources of Disease Transmission Risk = Explore \| = Apply \| = Play \| = Share	B	I	A
Slide	B = Beginner \| I = Intermediate \| A = Advanced	B	I	A
2	Write a new introduction to another disease outbreak investigation; brainstorm ideas in a group.		X	X
3	Remember this slide. When you have finished with this module, come back to it and decide if you have met these learning objectives. Can you think of other things you learned not listed here?	X	X	X
4	Create a story about a neighbor, why they’re concerned about the mystery disease, and what they do about it.	X	X	X
4	Develop a skit with actors portraying all these characters.	X	X	X
7	Use charades to act out actions while others guess what you are doing and which route of infection it belongs to.		X	X
8	Add more examples of disease transmission.		X	X
9	Visit a farm and take photos. Print the photos and present them to your group. Ask the group to identify any sources of disease transmission risk and if so, have them sort according to direct or indirect.		X	X
10	Try to identify additional questions to ask yourself when looking for disease transmission risks.		X	X
13	Design and make other signs that contribute to farm biosecurity, such as Visitor Parking, Rest Room, Enter, etc.	X	X	X
14	Create a similar activity using flashcards. Put photos or descriptions of various disease transmission risks on 4x6 cards. Divide into two teams. Have one person hold up one card at a time for everyone and see which team can identify the risks vs. the protective factors fastest. This should be a fast and fun activity.		X
15	Get a set of old wooden ABC blocks. Sort them according to colors. Have someone read the statements in this activity and build towers according to block colors/source.	X	X
17	What is depicted in the lower right corner of this slide? Visit this area of a farm and learn more about it. What biosecurity risks could exist here?		X	X
18	In the large photo, find at least three aspects of the barn design that contribute to biosecurity, i.e., Fan for improved cow comfort and ventilation Stanchions (head catches) to restrain animals for examination, treatment, and vaccination. Feeding area separated from manure and urine area.		X	X
	Investigate zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans through milk. What can be done to reduce risk?		X	X
	Practice reading a medication label and learn about how each medication should be stored.	X	X	X
	When would it be important to have detailed information about visitors recorded in a log book?		X	X
20	Create a similar game with new questions (that perhaps students submit?) and play it at a group meeting.		X	X
24	Investigate the biosecurity principles behind separating baby calves at birth from their mother and other cows and calves. What major baby calf diseases does this practice reduce?		X	X
24	Research the special properties of colostrum that make it essential to the health of newborns. What biosecurity risks can milk and colostrum pose, though? How can these risks be reduced? (might correspond to an earlier slide).		X	X
31	Research the composting process. What factors are needed for effective composting? What management is needed to kill parasites, weed seeds and pathogens?		X	X
	Learn about USDA cost-sharing programs that help develop on-farm composting facilities. Draw a sketch of a plan you would like to use; how much would this facility cost you?			X
	Do a web search for “large animal mortality composting” to read about various ways to dispose of animal carcasses on a farm. In the event of some disease outbreaks, this might be the only legal and practical carcass disposal options. What other options might exist and what are the pros and cons of each?			X

Biosecurity Learning Modules Teaching Guide

Download the printable version of the learning modules teaching guide and screenshots of learning module content, in PDF format. Click on the links below to download the documents.

Biosecurity learning modules teaching guide

Certificate of Achievement

Download, print and fill out a certificate that club and group leaders can award to students who complete one or more learning modules.

Learning module certificate of achievement

Learning Modules Home Page

Link to home page

By the end of this module you will be able to:

How to use this module

All Learning Modules

Module 1: What is Animal Biosecurity

Module 2: Routes of Infection

Module 3: Finding Sources of Transmission Risk

Module 4: Biosecurity Strategies

Module 5: Public Speaking for Biosecurity Advocates I

Module 6: Public Speaking for Biosecurity Advocates II

SCRUB Kits for Biosecurity Education

Learning Modules Home Page