Face to Face

MANDATORY ATTENDANCES -LECTURES: NO

Support of the learning process through the electronic platform e-class. Course delivery is computer-based. Use of Information and Communication Technologies (e-mail) in communication with students. Educational videos broadcasted related to the evolution of infectious diseases in developing countries.

The language of assessment is English.

Evaluation methods.

1. For the lecture material: Written assignment.

The evaluation of students is done by submitting a written assignment on issues of international public health. The submission of the assignment is made at the end of the semester. The evaluation of the assignment determines 100% of the student’s grade. 

The evaluation of the course and the tutors is carried out – at the end of the semester – through the completion by the students of a special questionnaire.  Students are encouraged to express their views through the questionnaire both on the educational process of the course in question, as well as on the possible changes that are necessary in their opinion. Student responses are considered in order to make improvements.

Aims of the course

The course provides medical students with knowledge regarding the epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases, the risk of their cross-border spread, as well as the framework of the International Health Regulations (IHR) in preventing, protecting, controlling and providing a public health response to the international spread of disease.

Specific objectives

 The specific objectives of the course are to provide students with the knowledge and in-depth understanding about the epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases with an emphasis on global threats to public health. In particular, topics to be covered are: pathogens and their characteristics, epidemiology, mortality, morbidity, reservoir, incubation period and prevention and control measures (national and international). In addition, the framework of the International Health Regulation in the global health security will be analyzed. 

The module also seeks for students to acquire skills in order to search for and process critically bibliographic data. 

An additional specific objective of the course is – through the optional educational visit to a country on the African continent – for students to acquire skills and experience of providing supervised medical assistance for the prevention and control of public health risks to residents of developing countries. 

After the successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge on the basic elements of infectious diseases epidemiology, the risk of their cross-border spread, as well as prevention and control measures, including the framework of the International Health Regulations.
2. Apply the principles of prevention and control of infectious diseases and adapt them considering given real-world conditions.
3. Distinguish the differences in the modes of transmission of infectious diseases, and the geographical variability in their occurrence and prognosis, while being able to distinguish the degrees of effectiveness of the various preventive measures applied.
4. Use the knowledge and skills acquired to provide medical and advisory assistance in the context of prevention of infectious diseases under supervision (vaccinations) to residents of developing countries.
5. Critically appraise the findings of studies on the epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases with a focus on global public health issues.
6. Perform research and interpretation of literature in the field of epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases and global public health threats.
7. Work with fellow students to provide supervised medical and advisory assistance in the field in the context of infectious disease prevention to residents of developing countries.   

General Abilities

• Research, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies
• Adaptation to new situations
• Decision making
• Autonomous work
• Teamwork
• Exercise criticism and self-criticism
• Promoting free, creative and inductive thinking
• Working in an international environment
• Work in an interdisciplinary environment
• Project design and management
• Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
• Respect for the natural environment
• Demonstration of social, professional and moral responsibility and sensitivity in gender issues

1. International Health Regulations and cross-border public health threats
2. Epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases
3. Investigation and response to epidemics
4. Vaccines: needs assessment, evaluation of new vaccines, immunization and herd immunity, vaccination strategy, vaccination schedules
5. Effectiveness of vaccinations and effectiveness in the field
6. Vaccination records
7. Occupational infectious diseases – vaccines to healthcare professionals
8. Special issues of vaccine-preventable diseases (meningitis, rubella, measles, mumps, tetanus, etc.): pathogen, epidemiology, mortality, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, susceptibility to infection, prevention and control measures, response to outbreaks, international measures.
9. Sexually transmitted diseases: AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea: pathogen, epidemiology, mortality, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, susceptibility to infection, prevention and control measures, response to outbreaks, international measures.
10. Airborne diseases (influenza, tuberculosis etc.): pathogen, epidemiology, mortality, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, susceptibility to infection, prevention and control measures, response to outbreaks, international measures.
11. Waterborne diseases (cryptosporidiosis, cholera, legionnaires’ disease): pathogen, epidemiology, mortality, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, susceptibility to infection, prevention and control measures, response to outbreaks, international measures.
12. Foodborne diseases (viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning, etc.): pathogen, endemicity, mortality, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, susceptibility to infection, prevention and control measures, response to outbreaks, international measures.
13. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E: pathogen, endemicity, mortality, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, susceptibility to infection, prevention and control measures, response to outbreaks, international measures.
14. Vector-borne diseases (malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile fever): pathogen, endemicity, mortality, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, susceptibility to infection, prevention and control measures, response to outbreaks, international measures.
15. Other diseases of international concern (COVID-19, etc.): pathogen, endemicity, mortality, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, susceptibility to infection, prevention and control measures, response to outbreaks, international measures.

1.  Jenny Kourea Kremastinou. Public Health
2. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual. David L. Heymann. 2015. American Public Health Association.
3. Arvanitidou-Vagiona. Hygiene and Epidemiology. UNIVERSITY STUDIO PRESS. 2023.
4. International health regulations (2005) – 3nd ed. World Health Organization. 2016.
5. Norman Noah. Controlling communicable disease. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 2011. 

Relevant Scientific Journals: 

Emerging Infectious Diseases, WHO Bulletin, Epidemiology and Infection