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3 Meningitis B and meningitis C are caused by bacteria - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 3 - 2013 - Paper 1
Question 3
3 Meningitis B and meningitis C are caused by bacteria. The graph shows the number of cases of meningitis B and meningitis C in England, from 1999 to 2004. (a) (i)... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:3 Meningitis B and meningitis C are caused by bacteria - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 3 - 2013 - Paper 1
Step 1
Use the graph to calculate the change in the total number of cases of meningitis in 1999 compared with 2004.
Answer
To find the total number of cases of meningitis in 1999, sum the cases of meningitis B and C for that year. By examining the graph, the values can be approximated as follows:
- Meningitis B cases in 1999 = 1500
- Meningitis C cases in 1999 = 300
Therefore, the total cases in 1999 = 1500 + 300 = 1800.
Next, calculate the total for 2004:
- Meningitis B cases in 2004 = 600
- Meningitis C cases in 2004 = 100
Thus, the total cases in 2004 = 600 + 100 = 700.
To find the change: Change = Total cases in 1999 - Total cases in 2004 = 1800 - 700 = 1100.
Hence, the change in total cases of meningitis from 1999 to 2004 is a decrease of 1100 cases.
Step 2
Describe the effects the immunisation had on the number of cases of both types of meningitis.
Answer
The introduction of immunisation against meningitis C in 1999 had significant effects on the number of cases reported for both types of meningitis over the years. Initially, the cases of meningitis C were substantially higher before immunisation was implemented.
After the introduction of the vaccine, there was a marked decline in cases of meningitis C, as seen in the graph where cases dropped sharply after 1999 and remained low in subsequent years. This indicates that the immunisation effectively reduced the incidence of meningitis C.
In contrast, while cases of meningitis B also fluctuated, they did not decrease as prominently post-vaccination. This suggests that although the immunisation was targeted at meningitis C, it may not have had a direct effect on the cases of meningitis B. Nonetheless, public health measures and awareness campaigns might also contribute to the overall decrease in meningitis cases.