DISEASE

DISEASE
Health has been defined as ‘complete physical, mental and social well-being’.
A disease is a condition in which the health of an organism is impaired.

Communicable diseases are passed on from person to person. Deficiency, hereditary

and physiological diseases are also known as non-communicable diseases.
 TRANSMISSION OF PATHOGENS
A pathogen, or disease-causing organism, lives on or inside an organism.
Pathogens can infect organisms via:
❏ Water
❏ Food
❏ Airborne droplets
❏ Direct contact
❏ Dust particles
❏ Contact with faeces
❏ Animals
❏ Insects
 VECTORS
Vectors spread diseases by carrying the pathogen from host to host.
LIFE CYCLE OF A MOSQUITO
Eggs are laid on stagnant
water

The larva is the feeding

and growing stage

Larval tissue reorganizes

into adult tissue in the
pupa stage

The adult mosquito is the

flying and reproducing
stage
 MOSQUITOES AS VECTORS
The pathogens are located in the salivary glands of a female mosquito. The
mosquito requires a blood meal to fertilize and mature her eggs.
Each time she bites someone, pathogens are passed into that person as she
injects saliva into the blood to prevent it from clotting

❏ Humans serve as the

primary host.
❏ Mosquitoes serve as the
secondary host and are
not harmed by the
pathogen.
 THE CONTROL OF MOSQUITOES
❏ Drain stagnant water to kill mosquito eggs.
❏ Spread a thin layer of oil or kerosene over water to prevent the larva
and pupa from breathing.
❏ Introduce Tilapia to breeding areas to feed on the larva and pupa
(biological control).
❏ Insecticides can be used to kill the larva, pupa and adult mosquito.
❏ Keep areas clean to reduce the protection for adults during
daylight hours.
❏ Use mosquito nets while sleeping.
 TREATMENT OF DISEASE
The aim of treating a disease is to relieve the symptoms experienced by persons
suffering from the disease and cure the disease if possible.
 CONTROL OF DISEASE

The aim of controlling a

disease is to prevent
further development and
spread of the disease so
that the incidence of the
disease in the population
is gradually reduced.
 GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF DISEASE
In developing countries, such as Ethiopia, Central America and India, a greater
proportion of deaths due to infectious diseases such as dengue fever, cholera,
and tuberculosis.

In developed countries like USA, Canada, Japan and the UK, more deaths are
due to physiological diseases like cancer and heart disease.

This difference in distribution is referred to as the global distribution of disease.

It often reflects the wealth and standards of medical care in the different
countries. Thus, the occurrence of disease in developing countries is often due
to overcrowding, lack of clean water, lack of preventative medicines and lack of
proper nutrition.
 SOCIAL & ECONOMIC
IMPLICATIONS OF DISEASE
Diseases within human populations can cause:
❏ The loss of life
❏ A loss of earnings as less people are unable to work.
❏ An increased demand on health services
❏ An increased cost of treatment for diseases caused by smoking,
lack of exercise and over-eating.
❏ An overall reduced standard of living
 ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPLICATIONS OF DISEASES
Disease within livestock and agricultural crops results in:
❏ Loss of livestock and agricultural crops
❏ Decreased food production
❏ Decreased food availability
❏ Increased food prices
❏ A reduced economy especially if the produce was for export.
❏ Loss of income for the farmer
❏ Reduced standard of living for those who livelihoods depend
on agriculture.
THE END : )