Animal disease outbreak – Learning Journey
Animal disease outbreak
Introduction
This learning journey is one of a series designed to support the learning and
teaching of emergency and resilience education. This particular learning journey
looks at the impact of what became commonly known as Mad Cow Disease in the
1980s and 1990s.
Experiences and outcomes
HWB

I am learning to assess and manage risk, to protect myself and others, and to
reduce the potential for harm when possible. HWB 0-16a – HWB 4-16a

I know and can demonstrate how to keep myself and others safe and how to
respond in a range of emergency situations. HWB 0-17a - HWB 4-17a
By using a variety of resources including magazine articles and NHS health
information learners will consider how an animal disease outbreak can spread to
humans. This learning journey also provides suggestions for activities to nurture
the development of community resilience in young people.
Literacy
Helping learners understand how Mad Cow Disease occurs supports the delivery
of key curriculum areas such as those which are the ‘responsibility of all’ as well as
those specific to subject areas like social subjects. There are also opportunities
for interdisciplinary planning and assessment.
Social Subjects


As I listen or watch, I am learning to make notes under given headings and use
these to understand what I have listened to or watched and create new texts. LIT 105a (also 2-05a - 4-05a)
Having considered responses to a recent international crisis, I can contribute to a
discussion of the effectiveness of the responses. SOC 3-19b
This learning journey contains learning experiences covering:

Mad Cow Disease
Prior knowledge
Approaches to learning

Active learning

Co-operative and collaborative learning

ICT in education
Some of the activities in these learning journeys are progressive and build on earlier
experiences and outcomes. However, no prior knowledge of animal diease outbreak or
resilience education is required before undertaking this learning journey.
They have also been designed to be modular so practitioners can pick and choose the
activities more appropriate to their needs.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/readyforemergencies
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Animal disease outbreak – Learning Journey
Animal disease outbreak
Learning experience:
Mad Cow Disease
Introduction
This activity allows learners to explore the
current theory surrounding the
transference of Mad Cow Disease (BSE)
into the human population as vCJD
(variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease).
Stimulus
Activities developed specifically to support
this learning experience are available on
the Ready for Emergencies section of the
Education Scotland website. In addition,
the case study from the Nature website
provides an insight into the personal
impact of vCJD (see ‘Useful resources’).
Learning intention
 To suggest and explain the current
theory of transmission from the animal
to human population.
 To suggest ways in which a community
can limit or prevent the spread of such
a disease.
 To outline the effects such an outbreak
can have on the community.
Possible tasks




Learners use the resources listed to create a factual
newspaper article, news report or podcast detailing
various aspects of the spread of BSE and vCJD.
Learners read the case study on the Nature website
looking at how vCJD affected one French teenager
and use this to create a diagram showing how the
disease developed and how governments responded.
Learners discuss with others the impact of the
outbreak on people and their communities using the
Nature case study as a starting point.
Learners complete the ‘Animal disease outbreak’
learner challenge (see ‘Useful resources’) examining
how they would respond to an outbreak of another
animal disease: Foot and Mouth.
Success criteria
Learners can:

describe the theory of transmission from animals to humans

assess the impact such an outbreak can have on the community

analyse and explain their feelings towards those affected

describe ways to lower the risk of transmission.
Possible evidence
Learners:

create a poster based on the PowerPoint presentation and the
online vCJD resources

record and present their discussion about the Nature case study.
Reflecting on learning
Useful resources

What helped the disease spread from animals to humans?
Download the ‘Mad cow disease factsheet’ and ‘Animal
disease outbreak’ learner challenge from the Ready for
Emergencies website.

How could agricultural processes be altered to lower the risk of
re-occurrence?

How have farming processes changed since the outbreak?
Nature case study: Mad Cow Disease
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/holy-cow/madcow-diseases-sobering-tale/1814/

What are the social and financial implications of such an
outbreak?

What are the current risks to human health?
NHS Choices Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/creutzfeldt-jakobdisease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Department of Health ‘What is vCJD?’
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartment
Leaders/ChiefMedicalOfficer/CMOtopics/FeaturesBrowsab
leDocument/DH_5663215
Taking it further
Learners could research what is currently being done to protect
people from vCJD or other animal disease threats in the UK and
around the world.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/readyforemergencies
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