1. In class, we discussed how diseases like plague and rabies can spread in spac

Question

1. In class, we discussed how diseases like plague and rabies can spread in space by diffusion. Find a scientific journal article that describes a disease (NOT plague or rabies) that also seems to spread in space by diffusion (make sure to cite the study). (Note: if you cannot answer these questions with the paper you read, then find another paper)

a) What does it mean for “a disease to spread in space by diffusion”?

b) In your scientific paper, what is the disease, the host, and where is the disease spreading from and to?

c) For your selected study that described the diffusion, what was the value of the parameter, D (units are distance/time)? Even if the study does not explicitly give D, you may be able to estimate it from the information provided in the paper or from maps.

d) What are disease “sparks”? Did your paper describe any evidence of “sparks”?

e) Inevitably diffusion waves of disease become disrupted. What accounts for the disruption of the wave front for your disease?  

Explanation / Answer

Ans a. Spatial diffusion means spreading of disease over space and through a time from limited number of origins. In simple terms spatial diffusion means to disperse or to spread widely. It is further subdivided. Relocation diffusion is a case where it leaves the place of origination and migrates to another place. Contagious diffusion occurs through the direct contact of individuals which are infected. Hierarchal diffusion occurs when phenomenon spreads through ordered sequence of classes or places.Network diffusion is a case where the disease spreads through transportation and networks.

Ans b. Consider the case of Black death disease during the year from 1333 - 1369. The main reason of diffusion being the transport and communication network resulting due to trade. The disease had spread from Europe to Asia over the course of time.

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