For this task, you are a scientific journalist and must prepare a television news segment (up to a maximum of two (2) minutes in length) reporting on a recent outbreak of an infectious disease to inform the public about this outbreak. (20 marks)

Step 1

• You have been allocated to one of the following pathogens; you can find your allocation here (based on the first letter of your surname).

  • • Burkholderia pseudomallei
    • Listeria monocytogenes
    • Streptococcus pyogenes
    • Measles virus
    • Marburg virus
    • Monkeypox virus

Step 2

• Find a recent media article (within the last 5 years) describing an outbreak of an infectious disease (from anywhere in the world) caused by your allocated pathogen.
• If you are using generative AI (GAI) to explore ideas and gather information you must acknowledge this including the program(s) and prompts used.
• Enter the following information into the text box below:

  • • the link to your media article
    • the GAI program(s) and prompts used (if applicable).

Step 3

• The following information must be covered in your television news segment (in any order you choose but remember it must be logical to make sense to your audience):

  • • the name of the pathogen responsible for the outbreak.
    • describe features of this pathogen (addressing features discussed in the lectures).
    • name and describe the disease caused by this pathogen including symptoms.
    • describe how this pathogen was transmitted in the outbreak.
    • who is most at risk of infection?
    • the number of cases / deaths that occurred during the outbreak.
    • why did the outbreak occur?
    • could this outbreak have been prevented? If so, how?

• You should source / use information from your media article, BMS1021 Microbiology lectures and other credible resources.

Step 4

• Record a video (a maximum of two (2) minutes in length) in the style of a television news segment covering the information stated in Step 3.
• With regards to your video:

  • • it should be engaging for the audience - make sure you are enthusiastic (using appropriate tone / speed of voice) and looking at the camera whilst presenting (you must not read from a script but can certainly have cue cards as prompts).
    • you must show yourself on camera during the entire video.
    • you should not speed up your voice at any time.
    • your audience is the public and therefore content must be presented in a manner that can be understood by this audience.

Step 5

• Upload your video (.mp4 file with your student ID number in the file name) below.

Allocation of Marks

Marks are allocated for the following:

• media article for outbreak (2 marks)

  • • link given
    • appropriate article – relevant for pathogen and within last five (5) years

• video (18 marks)

  • • explanation / inclusion of the required information (12 marks)
    • ordering of information / logical flow (2 marks)
    • clarity of presentation (clear voice, good pace, engaging) (2 marks)
    • face was present on camera for the duration of the video (1 mark)
    • adhered to time limit (1 mark)

Mark deductions will apply for:

• any incorrect inclusions / explanations.
• completing this task for a pathogen that you were not allocated to.