Word limit: 2000 words (excluding references) Task The Department of Health has commissioned you to write a report on an emerging infectious disease of concern to Australia (choose ONE disease from the list below). The purpose of the report is to: · Provide an overview of the disease and its aetiological agent · Describe the risk factors for transmission · Outline the current or potential strategies for preventing the disease · Argue why resources should be directed to the prevention and control of the disease · Provide a basis for developing policies and response plans specific to the chosen disease · Inform a broad range of audiences including policy makers, scientists, researchers, public health practitioners and clinicians, about the disease risks List of diseases · Mycobacterium ulcerans infection · Dengue · Measles · Middle East Respiratory Syndrome · Nipah virus If you have another disease in mind, please contact the unit convenor for approval. Report content Your report should contain the following sections: 1. Title (make it interesting!) 2. Background · An overview of the disease (causative agent, symptoms, modes of transmission, reservoirs) · A description of the major factors which contributed to the emergence or re-emergence of the disease, including any outbreaks of significance · Current distribution of the disease 3. Analysis of key issues · Risk factors for disease transmission relevant to the Australian context · Identification of at risk populations · Tools for monitoring the disease (i.e. legislation, surveillance, etc.) · Strategies for controlling the disease, (i.e. environmental controls, biosecurity measures, vaccination, treatment, health communication, etc.) · Potential implications of disease for different groups (e.g. populations, regions, industries, etc.) 4. Stakeholders · A list of key government and non-government stakeholders who may be impacted by the development of a policy or a response and why they should be consulted (consider using a table). 5. Recommendations · Recommendations for future work 6. References Report format and presentation When preparing your report, please ensure that you: · Use appropriate subheadings · Write in a style that is suitable for the intended purpose and audience (remember, the audience may not be experts in the subject matter, so avoid jargon) · Stick to the word limit. Penalties apply for assignments that are very brief or over the word limit by more than 10% · Be creative in your presentation – consider including a visually appealing title page and using colour, different sized text, columns, bulleted lists, figures, tables, etc. to add emphasis/interest where appropriate Submission instructions Your assignment, including a signed cover sheet, must be submitted electronically via the link on Canvas. Please upload the cover sheet and report as separate files. Penalties for late submission apply – please refer to the unit outline for details. Resources You are expected to consult a range of peer reviewed and grey literature in the preparation of your report. Referencing (important) Please ensure that your report is correctly referenced according to the Swinburne Harvard Style. Guidelines on this referencing style can be found at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/lib/researchhelp/harvard_style.html (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) It is your responsibility to ensure that you appropriately acknowledge any source of information that you use in your assignment. For example, references are required when: · Making a statement based on information from another source. · Quoting directly from another writer/source · Paraphrasing another writer Marking criteria See below. Rubric Assignment 2 (report) Assignment 2 (report) Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeReport: Purpose and focus 12.0 to >10.0 Pts Distinguished Establishes and maintains clear focus, evidence of distinctive voice and/or appropriate tone. 10.0 to >8.0 Pts Proficient Focused on a purpose, evidence of voice and/or suitable tone. 8.0 to >5.0 Pts Intermediate An attempt to establish and maintain purpose and communicate with the audience. 5.0 to >0 Pts Novice Limited awareness of audience and/or purpose 12.0 pts This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeReport: Development of ideas and argument 15.0 to >12.0 Pts Distinguished Depth and complexity of ideas supported by rich, engaging and/or pertinent details. Viewpoints and interpretations are insightful and well supported. Clear, detailed examples are provided, as applicable. 12.0 to >10.0 Pts Proficient Depth of idea development supported by elaborated, relevant details. Viewpoints and interpretations are supported. Appropriate examples are provided, as applicable. 10.0 to >7.0 Pts Intermediate Unelaborated idea development, unelaborated and/or repetitive details. Viewpoints and interpretations are unsupported or supported with flawed arguments. Examples. when applicable, are not provided or are irrelevant. 7.0 to >0 Pts Novice Minimal idea development, limited and/or unrelated details. Viewpoints and interpretations are missing, inappropriate, and/or unsupported. Examples, when applicable, are not provided. 15.0 pts This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeReport: Organisation and structure 6.0 to >4.5 Pts Distinguished Information is presented in a logical, interesting way, which is easy to follow 4.5 to >3.0 Pts Proficient Information is presented in a logical manner, which is easily followed. 3.0 to >1.5 Pts Intermediate Work is hard to follow as there is very little continuity and/or many items are in the wrong section. 1.5 to >0 Pts Novice Sequence of information is difficult to follow. No apparent structure or continuity 6.0 pts This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeReport: Writing style 5.0 to >4.0 Pts Distinguished Writing flows smoothly from one idea to another. The writer has taken pains to assist the reader in following the logic of the ideas expressed.Sequencing of ideas within paragraphs and transitions between paragraphs make the writer’s points easy to follow. 4.0 to >3.0 Pts Proficient Sentences are structured and words are chosen to communicate ideas clearly. Sequencing of ideas within paragraphs and transitions between paragraphs make the writer’s points easy to follow. 3.0 to >2.0 Pts Intermediate Sentence structure and/or word choice sometimes interfere with clarity. Needs to improve sequencing of ideas within paragraphs and transitions between paragraphs to make the writing easy to follow 2.0 to >0 Pts Novice Sentence structure, word choice, lack of transitions and/or sequencing of ideas make reading and understanding difficult. 5.0 pts This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeReport: Mechanics Spelling, grammar and punctuation 3.0 Pts Distinguished Negligible errors. 2.0 Pts Proficient Minor errors. 1.5 Pts Intermediate Several errors. 0.5 Pts Novice Numerous errors. 3.0 pts This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeReport: Referencing 4.0 Pts Distinguished In-text referencing and reference list are complete, comprehensive and follow required format. 3.0 Pts Proficient Minor inadequacies in references or inconsistencies in format 2.0 Pts Intermediate Inadequate list of references or failure to follow required format. 1.0 Pts Novice Lack of references and/or multiple errors in formatting. 4.0 pts This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeReport: Presentation and aesthetics 5.0 to >4.0 Pts Distinguished Report format is attractive and consistent throughout including heading styles,fonts, margins, white space, etc. 4.0 to >3.0 Pts Proficient Report format is generally consistent. 3.0 to >2.0 Pts Intermediate Many departures from required report format. 2.0 to >0 Pts Novice Work fails to follow required report format. 5.0 pts Total points: 50.0