Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Middle School Lesson Plans - West Nile Virus

Entomologists on Safari: On the Hunt for Mosquitoes
This lesson is designed for a middle school science course. West Nile virus is an infectious disease in the U.S. Although most people infected with the virus are asymptomatic, West Nile disease can be serious, particularly among older people. In this lesson, students will assume the role of entomologists in a case study to investigate increased mosquito activity and the possibility of West Nile virus transmission in the fictional community of Anywhereville. Students will then present the community with ways to prevent West Nile virus infection by creating a West Nile prevention poster.

High School Lesson Plans - West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus Strikes Again
This lesson is designed for a junior or senior level high school biology course and emphasizes the history of the West Nile virus (WNV) event in the U.S. This lesson highlights the issues associated with disease spread and prevention. Students will work to develop a prevention plan for an American Indian reservation that is experiencing a new occurrence of West Nile virus infection, while taking into consideration the cultural and environmental implications relevant to this population. To successfully complete these activities, the students should have some knowledge of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis.