Containment Strategies of Infectious Diseases in Global Context

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AM_470127

Course Objective

The endpoint of this course is that the student
• Has acquired in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge in relation to health intervention strategies for infectious diseases.
• Has acquired insights in various infectious diseases and characteristics in relation to containment strategies.
• Has acquired insight into the role of international institutions, such as the WHO, governmental advisory bodies, relevant professionals, executing institutions, NGOs and communities in designing and carrying out health interventions.
• Understands which barriers are important when implementing containment strategies of infectious diseases, with a focus on vaccination programs.
• Has acquired insight in theoretical concepts and methods to interpret results, evaluations and the effectiveness of programs.
• Has learned and practiced interdisciplinary methods and techniques to plan health interventions at community level in an interactive way. . Is able to communicate results by means of an evidence based policy brief, a video and orally

Course Content

The COVID-19 pandemic is clear evidence that this course has been and still is relevant. This course focuses on the design and implementation of intervention strategies used to address infectious diseases in a global context. The approach taught to design interventions is also applicable beyond the domain of infectious disease control. The containment strategies to be discussed include programmes for known infections (including vaccination strategies and in case of absence of a vaccine, diagnosis and treatment strategies, environmental and social control strategies) and emerging infections (including isolation, prevention and communication strategies). The student learns how to analyze bottlenecks and opportunities of the various strategies, how to interpret the results and to evaluate the implementation of programmes. In addition, the student will take part in a group assignment on how to design containment strategies at community level in an interactive way, for e.g. tuberculosis, polio, rabies, malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, etc. A video presentation and writing of a policy brief will be part of the group assignment.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, group assigment, (video) presentation, essay, self-study. Basic background knowledge will be provided by VU lecturers, whereas relevant guest lecturers will present practical field examples. Group assignment attendance is compulsory. Contact hours: lectures 34 hrs, group work 8 hrs. Self-study approx. 80 hrs.

Method of Assessment

Individual exam (60%) and group assignment presentation and policy brief (40%). Both parts must at least be sufficient (6 or higher)

Literature

BOOK: Webber, Roger. Communicable diseases: a global perspective. Cabi, 2019. or R. Webber, 2016. Communicable diseases: a global perspective. ISBN 9781780647425 DOI 10.1079/9781780647425.0000 Lecture Slides Slide of lectures as made available on Canvas. Additional readings: Lecturers may make further readings available on Canvas.

Target Audience

Compulsory course within the Master differentiation International PublicHealth; optional course for students in other differentiations of theMasters Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, and Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences. Students from other backgrounds, please contact our secretariat for further information at [email protected]

Custom Course Registration

Enrollment through Canvas.

Additional Information

VU lecturers: Prof. dr. Aura Timen Dr. Dirk Essink Guest lecturers: Dr. M. Gidado (KNCV) Dr. Constance Schultsz (AIGHD/AMC) Prof. dr. Maarten Postma (RUG) Dr. Koert Ritmeijer (MSF) Prof. dr. Cees Hamelink (VU) Prof. dr. Ron Fouchier (EMC Rotterdam) Dr. Hans Zaaijer (Sanguin) Aula Abara, Msc. (MSF) and others

Entry Requirements

Basic knowledge about the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, microbiology and immunology