Disease Vectors - lesson note

Subject: Basic Science

Class: Grade 7 (JSS 1)
Topic: Disease Vectors

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LESSON PLAN: DISEASE VECTORS

Duration: 40 minutes

Instructional Materials:

Charts/pictures of mosquito, housefly, tsetse fly, dirty environment pictures, whiteboard, marker.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define disease vectors correctly. (Lower domain – Knowledge)

2. List and match examples of disease vectors with the diseases they transmit. (Lower–Middle domain)

3. Describe the life cycle of the Anopheles mosquito. (Middle domain – Understanding)

4. Explain how some vector-borne diseases are transmitted. (Middle domain – Application)

5. Identify and discuss methods of controlling disease vectors. (Middle–Higher domain)

6. State the importance of controlling disease vectors to human health and the environment. (Higher domain – Evaluation)

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Entry Behaviour

Students have seen mosquitoes, flies, and dirty environments around their homes.

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Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher asks:

• Have you ever been bitten by a mosquito?

• What sickness can mosquito cause?

Teacher introduces the topic “Disease Vectors” and explains that some animals and insects help to spread diseases.

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Presentation

1. Meaning of Disease Vectors (5 minutes)

A disease vector is an organism (usually an insect or animal) that carries and transmits disease-causing germs from one person or animal to another.

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2. Examples of Disease Vectors and Diseases They Transmit (7 minutes)

Vector	Disease Transmitted
Mosquito (Anopheles)	Malaria
Mosquito (Aedes)	Yellow fever
Housefly	Cholera, Typhoid
Tsetse fly	Sleeping sickness
Rat	Lassa fever
Flea	Plague

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3. Life Cycle of the Anopheles Mosquito (8 minutes)

The Anopheles mosquito passes through four stages:

1. Egg – laid on stagnant water

2. Larva – lives in water and breathes air

3. Pupa – resting stage in water

4. Adult mosquito – flies and bites humans

👉 Only the female Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria.

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4. Transmission of Some Vector-Borne Diseases (5 minutes)

• Malaria: Transmitted when an infected female Anopheles mosquito bites a healthy person.

• Cholera: Spread when houseflies carry germs from dirty places to food.

• Sleeping sickness: Transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly.

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5. Methods of Controlling Disease Vectors (5 minutes)

• Clearing bushes and stagnant water

• Using insecticide-treated nets

• Proper disposal of refuse

• Spraying insecticides

• Keeping food covered

• Environmental sanitation

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6. Importance of Controlling Disease Vectors (3 minutes)

• Prevents spread of deadly diseases

• Improves public health

• Reduces death rate

• Saves money spent on treatment

• Promotes a clean and healthy environment

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Evaluation (5 minutes)

Teacher asks:

1. What is a disease vector?

2. Mention two disease vectors and one disease each.

3. List the stages in the life cycle of a mosquito.

4. State two ways of controlling disease vectors.

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Conclusion

Teacher summarizes the lesson and emphasizes cleanliness and proper environmental hygiene.

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Assignment

1. Draw and label the life cycle of a mosquito.

2. Write three reasons why disease vectors should be controlled.