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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES: OPERATION IMMUNIZATION IN MALI
unit: OPERATION IMMUNIZATION IN MALI
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES (optional)
Activity 1: Research on Diseases and
Their Prevention
Time: several periods
1.
Consider beginning by providing the following
information:
Do you like needles? Chances are you have had a
few. Why? Immunization is a normal part of life in
Canada. Most babies and children are immunized
regularly to protect them from diseases such as MMR
(measles, mumps and rubella), and DTP (diphtheria,
tetanus, and polio). Immunization works so well,
we rarely hear of these diseases. In most countries
like Mali, West Africa, polio and measles are still a
leading cause of vaccine-preventable death amongst
children.
2. In small groups, have students compare
immunization practices between Mali and
Canada. Have them:
Cholera
An infection of the small intestine caused by bacteria.
You can catch the disease by consuming unclean
drinking water or eating spoiled food.
Diptheria
An upper respiratory tract infection that causes a
sore throat and fever, and attacks skin cells. It is a
contagious disease that can be spread through direct
contact with someone already infected.
Dengue Fever
An infectious disease carried by mosquitoes. It used
to be called “break-bone” fever because it sometimes
causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like
bones are breaking.
Hepatitis A
An acute infectious disease of the liver.
a) Pick one of the following diseases:
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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES: OPERATION IMMUNIZATION IN MALI
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is very similar to Hepatitis A. It is
estimated that more than two billion people
worldwide have been infected with this virus.
HIV/AIDS
A disease of the human immune system that slowly
destroys the body’s ability to fight off infections and
other viruses.
Lyme Disease
A tick borne disease that when infected leads to
fatigue, fever, and depression, and, in later stages,
attacks the heart and central nervous system.
Malaria
Is a disease caused by parasites (Plasmodium) that
are spread from person to person through the bites
of infected mosquitoes.
Measles
A contagious disease caused by a virus that leads to
fever, muscle pain, headache, and rashes.
Meningitis
A bacterial infection that inflames the membranes
covering the brain and spinal cord.
Mumps
A viral disease that causes swelling of the salivary
glands.
Tuberculosis
A contagious bacterial infection that begins in the
lungs but can also spread elsewhere in the body.
West Nile
A virus mainly spread through mosquitoes that
causes fever and may lead to serious infections of
nerve cells.
Yellow Fever
A viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that
causes fever, headache, back pain, nausea, and
vomiting. If it reaches a second stage it can lead to
much worse symptoms.
b) Use the Internet to answer the following
questions:
• What is the name of the disease?
• What are its symptoms, duration, treatment?
• What are the long-term effects of this disease,
if any?
• Is it preventable?
• Is it treatable?
• How many Canadians suffer from it?
• How many Malians suffer from it?
• What is being done to prevent or treat
the disease in Canada (nationally funded
immunization programs, education, etc.)?
• What is being done to prevent or treat the
disease in Mali?
c) Visit the resource link at
Polio
A viral infection that attacks the nervous systems
and can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
Rabies
A viral infection that is spread by contact with
animals infected by the disease.
www.righttoplayschools.ca/teachers to find
more information on the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
d) Share their findings with the rest of the class or
with other small groups.
3. Have the class answer the following questions:
Rubella
A contagious infection that causes a rash on the skin
that is spread through the air or direct contact.
a) What diseases are most serious in Canada?
Smallpox
A contagious disease that causes a rash and, later,
blisters on the skin.
b) What diseases are most serious in Mali?
Tetanus
A disease that is usually caused by the infection of
a cut or wound leading to intense muscle spasm
throughout the body.
Listen for: Heart Disease, Cancer, Lung Disease,
Alzheimer’s Disease, Diabetes
Listen for: Yellow Fever, Cholera, Tuberculosis,
Malaria, Meningitis, Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever,
Schistosomiasis
c) Can you explain these differences?
d) Were there any questions you were unable to find
answers for? Why do you think it is difficult to
find information about health issues in Mali?
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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES: OPERATION IMMUNIZATION IN MALI
e) Are there any diseases on this list for which no
vaccine exists? (Malaria)
f) Which disease on this list has been eradicated
worldwide? (Smallpox)
g) Why is the work of Right To Play so important?
Activity 2: Creative Options
Time: 30-45 minutes
1.
Challenge students to do one of the following:
a) Create a poster to promote child immunization
either individually or with a partner.
Note: Public Health Canada has an annual poster
contest for children regarding immunization.
Go to: http://www.immunize.cpha.ca/en/events/
imm-poster-contest.aspx
This website also includes a Teacher’s Kit for
the contest.
b) Write a news report regarding the challenges of
immunization in Mali.
c) Write a letter (mock) or dramatize a presentation
to the Mayor of a town in Canada or in Mali as to
why we should immunize children.
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