Common diseases and Zoonotic Diseases for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 10
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Biology
Curriculum Theme: Health and Diseases
Focal competence: Identifying common diseases of man and how to control them
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; ICT and Digital Competencies; Digital Competencies; Environmental Literacy; Tolerance
Skills:

• Identifying symptoms of common diseases
• Applying control measures of common diseases

Previous Lesson: Microorganisms Around Us, Types and Effects
Topic: Common Diseases And Mode Of Transmission
Subject Matter: Common diseases, Concept of Zoonotic Diseases

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define Zoonotic Diseases.
• Identify the causes of common diseases.
• Identify symptoms of common diseases.
• Discuss the mode of transmission of common diseases.
• Discuss the control measures of some common diseases.
• Identify zoonotic diseases.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of collaboration in disease control.
• Show tolerance and empathy towards individuals suffering from diseases.
• Demonstrate responsibility in applying personal and community hygiene practices.

Psychomotor Domain

• Present observations from video clips and pictures of diseases.
• Apply knowledge of control measures in simulated scenarios.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Essential Biology for Senior Secondary Schools
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Video clips of common diseases (e.g., typhoid, malaria, COVID-19, Lassa fever, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Monkeypox).
• Pictures of individuals suffering from common diseases of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.
• Projector and screen/smartboard.
• Whiteboard and markers.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it equips students with essential knowledge about common diseases prevalent in their environment and globally. Understanding their causes, symptoms, transmission, and control measures empowers students to protect themselves and their communities. It also highlights the critical link between animal and human health through the concept of zoonotic diseases.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of microorganisms, hygiene, and general health concepts.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Common Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases

Common Diseases

Common diseases are illnesses that frequently affect a significant portion of the population. They can be caused by various agents, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Bacterial Diseases

These are diseases caused by bacteria, which are single-celled microorganisms.

1. Typhoid Fever

   Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to high fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting. It can be fatal if not treated.

   1. Cause: Caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi.
   2. Symptoms: Prolonged high fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea, rash (rose spots), loss of appetite.
   3. Transmission: Transmitted through contaminated food and water, usually due to poor sanitation and hygiene (fecal-oral route).
   4. Control:
      1. Ensuring safe drinking water.
      2. Practising proper hand hygiene (washing hands with soap and water).
      3. Proper disposal of human waste.
      4. Vaccination.
      5. Thorough cooking of food.
      6. Antibiotic treatment for infected individuals.

Viral Diseases

These are diseases caused by viruses, which are microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism.

1. Coronavirus (e.g., COVID-19)

   Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses, ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like COVID-19.

   1. Cause: Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
   2. Symptoms: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, headache.
   3. Transmission: Primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Also through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
   4. Control:
      1. Vaccination.
      2. Wearing face masks in public.
      3. Maintaining physical distancing.
      4. Frequent hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers.
      5. Isolation of infected individuals.
2. Lassa Fever

   Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. It is endemic in parts of West Africa.

   1. Cause: Caused by the Lassa virus.
   2. Symptoms: Fever, facial swelling, muscle aches, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain. In severe cases, bleeding from orifices (eyes, nose, gums) can occur.
   3. Transmission: Primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats. Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily fluids of an infected person.
   4. Control:
      1. Rodent control measures (e.g., proper food storage, keeping homes clean).
      2. Practising good personal hygiene.
      3. Avoiding contact with rats and their droppings.
      4. Early diagnosis and treatment with antiviral drugs.
      5. Safe burial practices for deceased individuals.
3. HIV/AIDS

   Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If not treated, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

   1. Cause: Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
   2. Symptoms: Initial flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, rash), followed by a long asymptomatic period. AIDS stage involves opportunistic infections, significant weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, persistent fever, and skin rashes.
   3. Transmission:
      1. Unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex).
      2. Sharing contaminated needles or syringes.
      3. Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
      4. Contaminated blood transfusions (rare due to screening).
   4. Control:
      1. Practising safe sex (e.g., using condoms consistently and correctly).
      2. Avoiding sharing needles or syringes.
      3. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for infected individuals to suppress the virus and prevent transmission.
      4. Screening of blood and blood products.
      5. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission through ART for pregnant women.

Parasitic Diseases

These are diseases caused by parasites, which are organisms that live on or in a host organism and get their food from or at the expense of their host.

1. Malaria

   Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female *Anopheles* mosquitoes.

   1. Cause: Caused by *Plasmodium* parasites (e.g., *Plasmodium falciparum*).
   2. Symptoms: Fever, chills, sweating, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting. Severe malaria can lead to anaemia, kidney failure, and cerebral malaria.
   3. Transmission: Through the bite of an infected female *Anopheles* mosquito.
   4. Control:
      1. Sleeping under insecticide-treated nets (ITNs).
      2. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticides.
      3. Taking antimalarial drugs (prophylaxis) when travelling to endemic areas.
      4. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antimalarial drugs.
      5. Environmental management to reduce mosquito breeding sites (e.g., draining stagnant water).

Concept of Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can be naturally transmitted from animals to humans. They pose a significant public health challenge globally.

1. Definition: Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transmitted from animals (wild or domestic) to humans.
2. Examples of Zoonotic Diseases:
   1. Lassa Fever: Transmitted from multimammate rats to humans.
   2. Ebola Fever: Caused by the Ebola virus, transmitted from wild animals (e.g., fruit bats, monkeys) to humans, and then human-to-human through direct contact with bodily fluids.
   3. Monkeypox: Caused by the monkeypox virus, transmitted from wild animals (e.g., rodents, primates) to humans, and then human-to-human through close contact with lesions, body fluids, or respiratory droplets.
   4. Rabies: Transmitted from infected animals (e.g., dogs, bats) to humans through bites.
   5. Avian Influenza (Bird Flu): Transmitted from infected birds to humans.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Video Presentation, Group Work.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to mention some common illnesses they or people they know have experienced. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Common Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention common illnesses like malaria, cough, fever, etc., and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to common diseases

Step 2: Exploring Bacterial Diseases

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Video Analysis/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to watch a short video clip showing images of individuals suffering from a bacterial disease like Typhoid fever. The teacher then explains the cause, symptoms, transmission, and control measures for Typhoid fever.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video clip, identify symptoms, and participate in the discussion about Typhoid fever.

Learning Point: Typhoid fever characteristics

Step 3: Exploring Viral Diseases (Part 1)

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Observation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents video clips and pictures of individuals affected by viral diseases such as Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Lassa Fever. The teacher facilitates a discussion on their causes, symptoms, and modes of transmission.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the visuals, identify symptoms, and discuss the causes and transmission of COVID-19 and Lassa Fever.

Learning Point: Viral diseases identification

Step 4: Exploring Viral Diseases (Part 2)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Interaction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues the discussion on viral diseases by explaining HIV/AIDS, covering its cause, symptoms, and modes of transmission. The teacher also highlights the importance of prevention.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and contribute to the discussion on HIV/AIDS.

Learning Point: HIV/AIDS understanding

Step 5: Exploring Parasitic Diseases

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Inquiry/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows images or a short clip about Malaria and guides students to identify its cause, symptoms, and transmission. The teacher then explains the various control measures for Malaria.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, identify, and discuss the characteristics and control of Malaria.

Learning Point: Malaria disease control

Step 6: Understanding Zoonotic Diseases

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Definition/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines zoonotic diseases and presents pictures and video clips of individuals affected by diseases like Lassa Fever, Ebola Fever, and Monkeypox, explaining their zoonotic nature. The teacher guides students to present their observations.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils define zoonotic diseases, identify examples, and present their observations from the visuals.

Learning Point: Zoonotic diseases concept

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is a zoonotic disease?
2. Mention two causes of common diseases.
3. State two symptoms of Typhoid fever.
4. How is Malaria transmitted?
5. Suggest two ways to control Lassa Fever.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Disease knowledge assessment

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on common diseases and zoonotic diseases into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of understanding common and zoonotic diseases for personal and public health. The teacher encourages students to practice good hygiene and apply control measures.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Lesson summary reinforcement

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Further Reading

Instruction: Research and write short notes on the following:

1. Identify three other common diseases not discussed in class, stating their causes and symptoms.
2. Explain how environmental sanitation helps in controlling the spread of common diseases.
3. Find out about any recent outbreak of a zoonotic disease in Nigeria and its impact.

Lesson Keywords

• Bacteria – Single-celled microorganisms, some of which cause diseases.
• Virus – A microscopic infectious agent that replicates inside living cells.
• Parasite – An organism that lives on or in a host and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense.
• Typhoid Fever – A bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi.
• Coronavirus – A family of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
• Lassa Fever – A viral haemorrhagic fever, also a zoonotic disease.
• HIV/AIDS – Human Immunodeficiency Virus, leading to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
• Malaria – A parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
• Zoonotic Diseases – Diseases transmissible from animals to humans.
• Transmission – The process by which an infectious agent is spread.

Differentiation

For students who grasp concepts quickly, encourage them to research specific control measures for emerging diseases or prepare a short presentation on a zoonotic disease not covered in class. For students needing more support, provide simplified diagrams or flowcharts illustrating disease transmission pathways and control methods, and offer one-on-one guidance during note-taking.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For relevant educational videos on common diseases and zoonotic diseases, search on YouTube for: common diseases and zoonotic diseases biology SS1