Check out our Viruses CD-ROM which includes similar activities.

Viral diseases can be spread through contact with a person infected with the disease. Some diseases, such as influenza, measles, and smallpox, spread rapidly and are of great concern to public health organizations.

Used in risk analysis, models help predict the spread. Once scientists analyze the risk, they use models to develop plans to contain the virus and to make recommendations for preventive behavior changes. In this activity, you?ll see how an infectious disease can spread and you?ll create a plan to contain it.

• small square of paper
• pencil or pen
• cardboard box

1. Write your name on one of the small squares of paper, and place it in the box.
2. Your teacher will select one name from the box. This person, who will remain a mystery for now, has a virus.
3. For the first round, tap two of your classmates at random. Record their names in the chart on the worksheet.
4. Tap two different classmates for round two, and record their names on the worksheet.
5. Now for round three, tap two additional classmates and record their names on the worksheet.
6. When everyone is finished with round three, your teacher will reveal the name of the ?infected person.?
7. Look at your worksheet chart to see if you had direct contact with this person. If so, you had direct contact with the infected person. Raise your hand until your teacher has recorded your name on the board.
8. Now check your worksheet chart again to see if you had contact with any of the people listed on the board. If so, you had indirect contact with the infected person. Raise your hand until your teacher has recorded your name on the board.
9. Using the lists on the board, complete the worksheet questions and activities.