This module will introduce you to epidemiology, which involves tracking the causes of an epidemic and identifying the factors that contribute to its spread.

Click an activity link below to proceed.

• Reading 1: Learn about the science of epidemiology and its three major areas: three major ideas in epidemiology – identifying the first cases of an infectious disease, determining the causative agent, and tracking how it spread.
• Activity 1: Let's learn about how to analyze epidemiological, medical, and laboratory data. Then, we'll use information about causes of respiratory distress to narrow down the candidates and identify a causative agent.
• Reading 2: Explore the first big idea of epidemiology: identifying Patient Zero, which is the first recorded case of a disease in an outbreak or epidemic.
• Activity 2: Identify factors that influence the spread of Ebola and measles and suggest ways that could prevent or halt outbreaks and epidemics after completing Reading 2.
• Reading 3: Read about how John Snow, one of the first pioneers of epidemiology, tracked down the cause of cholera.