Epidemics

General websites

The websites below will show you where to find information about different types of epidemics, their causes, and treatments.

Britannica School Primary

Britannica School Primary is part of the EPIC collection of databases which have been specially put together for New Zealand school students.

• Search for the word 'epidemics' using the search box at the top of the page.

• Read the article epidemic (disease outbreak) and plague and epidemic (disease) to find out about the history of epidemics and plagues.

• You can select to read these articles at a higher level by selecting 2 from Article Reading Level at the top of the page.

Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you will need a password from your school librarian first. Or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians between 1 and 6 pm Monday to Friday and they will help you online. Some EPIC databases may also be available through your public library.

Ducksters

Ducksters is an education website with lots of information on subjects like history, geography, science and biography.

• Go to the tab called Science, then select Biology.

• Under Living organisms, read about viruses and how they make us sick.

• Also look at Disease to find links to:

  • what is an infectious disease

  • the use of medicines and pharmaceutical drugs

  • the difference between epidemics and pandemics

  • historical epidemics and pandemics, and

  • our body's immune system that helps fight disease.

Tips: Many web pages have links to further information or to other recommended sites. Following these links is a great way to find out more. This searching method is called “pearl growing” because you are picking up pieces of sand to make a beautiful pearl!

New Zealand sites

These websites from the Government of New Zealand have information about the history of epidemics and pandemics in New Zealand. Also included is a current website that offers advice and information on how everyone can stay safe during this outbreak of COVID-19.

Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Te Ara is an excellent starting point for all questions about Aotearoa New Zealand, especially the history of epidemics in New Zealand.

• Scroll down the page to the section on Social Connections.

• Select Health from the range of topics, then go to Epidemic.

• This page covers the history of epidemics in New Zealand such as the typhoid era, the influenza era, the polio era and more.

• Remember to explore External links and sources to find other useful websites with information on this topic.

NZ History

NZ History is another great website for information about Aotearoa New Zealand. It has history about an epidemic that became a pandemic, how it spread to New Zealand and the impact it had.

• Look at the section called Culture and Society and find the heading called Disasters.

• It has a link to the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Tips: Te Ara and NZ History are from the Ministry of Culture & Heritage so we know the information is reliable. They both have .govt in their web address, meaning they are form the government. They’re also New Zealand sites, so relevant for us.

Books

You will find many books in your public library and school library about epidemics. Here are some to get you started:

• Plague! by John Farndon.

• Epidemiology : the fight against Ebola & other diseases by Carol Hand.

• Very, very very dreadful : the influenza pandemic of 1918 by Albert Marrin.

• Plagues, pox, and pestilence by Richard Platt.

SCIS no. 1965592