VIRUS WEB QUEST

Name ______Date ______Period ______Score ______

Introduction: Viruses are both fascinating and a bit scary. This web study will give you a brief introduction to viruses in general and a particular virus that has been in the news throughout the spring and summer months. Explore, learn, enjoy!

Virus that infects cauliflower plant.

Part 1: Intro

Go to

  1. Who is credited with discovering the virus?
  1. Is a virus a living thing?
  1. Viruses are incredibly small. Why are we not able to see viruses with the compound light microscopes we use in the science lab?
  1. What shapes do viruses assume?
  1. Locate a photograph of a virus. Draw the virus in the space below.
  1. How does a virus invade a host cell?

Part 2: The West Nile virus has been in the news. In order to understand the transmission of this disease, it is useful to study the mosquito. Go to

The male House Mosquito feeds on nectar and other plant juices. It is the female that sucks blood from birds, reptiles, people, and other mammals. She needs the protein in the blood for her eggs.

  1. Another name for mosquitoes is ______.
  1. Do male mosquitoes ever bite people?
  1. How do mosquitoes find you?
  1. List four ways to prevent being bitten by a mosquito.

Go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

  1. Human illness from the West Nile virus is rare. Most people infected by the West Nile virus have no ______.
  1. List three ways you can protect yourself from the West Nile virus.
  1. West Nile virus is spread by the bite of a ______.
  1. Is there evidence that West Nile virus can be spread from one person to another?
  1. Why do zookeepers at the Bird House need to be concerned about the West Nile virus?

Part 3: Ebola Virus

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/ebola/qa.htm

  1. What is Ebola hemorrhagic fever? What year did we first see Ebola outbreak?
  1. Where is Ebola virus found in nature?
  1. How does Ebola spread?
  1. What are the symptoms of Ebola?
  1. How does Ebola kill?
  1. How do you stop Ebola from spreading?
  1. Can it be treated or cured?
  1. How do you propose we stop the virus from spreading across the nation?
  1. What years did USA had an occurrence of Ebola? How many deaths? How did it get to the USA? http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/ebola/ebolatable.htm

Part 4: Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus

  1. What is the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus that has been reported in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Near East?
  1. What are the risks to humans from the current H5N1 outbreak?
  1. How is infection with H5N1 virus in humans treated?
  1. Is there a vaccine to protect people from some strains of the H5N1 virus?
  1. Does CDC recommend travel restrictions to areas with known H5N1 outbreaks?
  1. What changes are needed for H5N1 or another avian influenza virus to cause a pandemic?
  1. What is CDC doing to prepare for a possible H5N1 influenza pandemic?
  1. Does Ohio have plan? http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
  1. What do you think about this?
  1. Do you think your community should have a plan? What do you think about this?
  1. Do you think our school has a plan? What do you think about this?

1