Communicable Diseases
What is a communicable disease?
A disease that can be spread from person to person through an infectious agent
How is measles transmitted?
Through airborne droplets
Why is meningitis considered a serious public health concern?
Because it can spread quickly in close contact settings and has a high risk of severe complications or death if not treated immediately
What is the main goal of epidemiology?
to understand how diseases spread and how to prevent them
When was measles eliminated in Canada?
1998
What are 2 common ways communicable diseases spread?
Airborne droplets and direct contact
what is one common symptom of measles?
Rash (also fever, cough, red eyes)
How is meningitis spread?
through respiratory droplets and close contact
when cases exceed expected levels in a population
When did Canada lose its measles elimination status?
2025
What type of organisms cause communicable diseases?
Bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi
why is measles considered highly contagious?
It can stay in the air for hours and infect many people
Where are meningitis outbreaks most likely to occur?
in places where people live closer together, like dorms, shared housing or classrooms
what is an example of a behavioural risk factor?
not getting vaccinated
Approximately how many measles cases were reported early in 2026?
over 300 cases
What is the "chain of infection"?
The process that explains how a disease spreads from one host to another
What percentage of Saskatchewan measles cases were unvaccinated?
about 90%
What is one serious complication of meningitis?
Death, brain damage or sepsis
How does herd immunity help protect a population?
It reduces the spread of disease by limiting susceptible hosts
What age group is most affected by measles outbreaks?
children and youth (especially unvaccinated)
What is one way to break the chain of infection?
Vaccination (or HH, isolation, PPE)
How many measles cases were reported in Canada in 2025?
over 5,000 cases
What makes meningitis outbreaks harder to detect early compared to some other diseases?
Early symptoms are similar to common illness like the flu, which can delay diagnosis and treatment
How can social determinants of health influence disease spread?
they affect access to care, the correct education and prevention
Which population is most at risk for bacterial meningitis outbreaks?
young adults (especially those in crowded environments)