Credit Points 10

Coordinator Slade Jensen Opens in new window

Description Infectious disease occurs following interaction between a host and microbial by parasites. This subject will encompass clinical aspects, epidemiology, prevention and control of important communicable diseases, both in Australia, and globally. Starting at a foundational level, this subject will explain how infectious agents interact with human hosts. Prevention of infectious disease will then be investigated through examination of immunisation approaches and vaccine preventable diseases, infection control in healthcare settings and infectious disease surveillance and legislative requirements. Key principles of outbreak response to infectious disease will be explored through practical application of contemporary outbreak investigation methods and disaster response aspects of infectious disease control measures. The subject will conclude with an examination of emerging global infectious disease threats including through bioterrorism climate change and indigenous aspects of infectious disease.

School Medicine

Discipline Public Health

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 5 subject

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this subject, students will be able to: 

1. Examine principle of host pathogenicity & host defence 
2. Assess measures that can be taken to control infectious disease
3. Analyse public health legislation that applies to management of infectious disease
4. Explore emerging infectious disease threats 
5. Apply contemporary infectious disease outbreak approaches to mitigate an infectious disease threat

Subject Content

1. Foundations of infectious disease
   • 1.1. Introduction; Pathogenicity & Host defence 
   • 1.2. Laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases
   • 1.3. Other infectious agents
2. Prevention of infectious disease
   • 2.1. Immunisation & Vaccine-preventable diseases
   • 2.2. Infection control
   • 2.3. Communicable disease surveillance and legislative requirements
3. Outbreak response to infectious disease
   • 3.1. Contemporary outbreak investigations
   • 3.2. Disaster response aspects of infectious diseases
4. Emerging global infectious disease threats
   • 4.1. Bioterrorism
   • 4.2. The global burden of emerging and neglected infectious diseases
   • 4.3. Climate change & infectious diseases
   • 4.4. Indigenous aspects of infectious disease