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O LevelBiologyCambridgeRevision Notes12. Disease & Immunity12.1 DiseaseControlling the Spread of Disease

Controlling the Spread of Disease (Cambridge O Level Biology)

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Controlling the Spread of Disease

  • 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 Explanation
Hygienic food preparation
  • Keep food cold so bacteria and fungi reproduce more slowly
  • Prepare food hygienically to avoid contamination from pathogens by washing hands well with soap and cleaning work surfaces with products such as bleach to kill pathogens
  • Cook food well to kill bacteria and fungi
  • Cover food to prevent flies from landing on it before eating
  • Use separate chopping boards/utensils for cutting uncooked meat
  • Wash hands after using the bathroom and before handling food
Personal hygiene
  • Washing with soap removes substances which trap pathogens (as well as pathogens themselves) from the skin
  • Use tissues to catch sneezes and coughs - dispose of used tissues as soon as possible as pathogens can still be alive
  • Wash hands after using the bathroom
Waste disposal
  • Waste food is a food source for flies that can act as vectors for transmissible diseases and should be disposed of in a sealed container
  • Rubbish bins should be covered and removed to the landfill for disposal or burning regularly
  • All rubbish should be stored before collection away from human habitation
Sanitation
  • Homes and public places should have plumbing and drains to remove faeces and waste safely; these drains can carry pathogens
  • Raw sewage should be treated to remove solid waste and kill pathogens before being released into the environment.

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    Phil

    Author: Phil

    Expertise: Biology

    Phil has a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MBA from Manchester Business School. He has 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience, teaching Biology in schools before becoming director of a growing tuition agency. He has also examined Biology for one of the leading UK exam boards. Phil has a particular passion for empowering students to overcome their fear of numbers in a scientific context.