The UK Clinical Virology Network has created a fascinating and somewhat twisted little online game called Killer Flu. The game allows you to click on a person who is then stopped in his tracks. It shows you what strain of flu he is immune to, and, by spinning a sort of slot machine, you can mix up the key genes in the flu virus to create a new strain to which this person has no immunity. You then return him to his home base – a factory, farm, office, home, or hospital – where he goes and spreads the virus. By infecting enough people you try to get 25% of the population sick within the allotted time.
It’s a neat simulation of how viruses spread through a population. Given the recent outbreak of swine flu in several countries, when and where this game is played should be handled with a fair degree of sensitivity.
That said, any resource that can take something dull like the spreading of viruses and add excitement to it makes for better lessons which is better learning which is better teaching.