Controlling the Spread of Disease (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology)

Revision Note

The simplest way to prevent disease is to stop pathogens from spreading
This means using simple measures such as good hygiene and effective sanitation and waste disposal to contain pathogens and dispose of them safely

Preventing the Spread of Disease Table

Measure to prevent spread	Importance
Clean water supply	Safe drinking water ensures water is free of pathogens which will prevent waterborne diseases e.g. cholera.
Hygienic food preparation	Washing hands with soap, correct food cooking methods and hygienic preparation of food will help to prevent contamination of food with harmful bacteria and fungi,
Personal hygiene	Washing with soap or using tissues to catch sneezes and coughs and then disposing of them will reduce transmission of diseases such as colds and flu.
Waste disposal	Proper disposal of waste e.g. food waste will reduce the prevalence of pests e.g. flies that can act as vectors for transmissible diseases.
Sewage treatment	Treatment of sewage removes harmful pathogens from waste before it is released into the environment. This reduces the risk of diseases spreading in contaminated water.