Emerging Infectious Diseases
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Megan Jones BIO 101 Final Paper
Over the past few years, it has become quite obvious that Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) pose a much larger threat than they did thirty years ago. By observing their studies and trends, experts have nearly proven that Emerging Infectious Diseases are not just a thing of the past. Many of these diseases originate in a non-human animal source, also known as zoonoses (zoonotic hosts). It is most important that the experts communicate with the public about the seriousness of EID, in case of an outbreak. Our nation, and world, must recognize the importance of these diseases in order to respond to them as the threat of their expansion grows larger.
To be a bit more specific, an Emerging Infectious Disease is one that has appeared in the population before, or has reappeared, and is rapidly increasing. Juan P. Olano, MD and David H. Walker, MD from the Medical Branch at the University of Texas presented their study about these types of diseases. After looking over the time period of 1967 through 2009, their study revealed that there were a total of about 335 infectious agents described. Just a few of these agents that were descried during these years were Rotavirus (1973), HIV-1 (1983), Hepatitis E Virus (1990), and Influenza A H1N1 (2009). Many diseases that were thought to be under control in the past, such as Tuberculosis and Malaria, have recently resurfaced. According to the Health Medical Lab (Interactive Health Education) online, Tuberculosis is easily caught by individuals who have been diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Of course, there are antibiotics to help treat the airborne TB. However, individuals who have reduced access to healthcare, or simply never get tested, cannot be treated. After never being treated, the development of drug-resistant strands of the disease can develop. This leads to the spread of the multi-drug-resistant strands of Tuberculosis,
Megan Jones BIO 101 Final Paper
Over the past few years, it has become quite obvious that Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) pose a much larger threat than they did thirty years ago. By observing their studies and trends, experts have nearly proven that Emerging Infectious Diseases are not just a thing of the past. Many of these diseases originate in a non-human animal source, also known as zoonoses (zoonotic hosts). It is most important that the experts communicate with the public about the seriousness of EID, in case of an outbreak. Our nation, and world, must recognize the importance of these diseases in order to respond to them as the threat of their expansion grows larger.
To be a bit more specific, an Emerging Infectious Disease is one that has appeared in the population before, or has reappeared, and is rapidly increasing. Juan P. Olano, MD and David H. Walker, MD from the Medical Branch at the University of Texas presented their study about these types of diseases. After looking over the time period of 1967 through 2009, their study revealed that there were a total of about 335 infectious agents described. Just a few of these agents that were descried during these years were Rotavirus (1973), HIV-1 (1983), Hepatitis E Virus (1990), and Influenza A H1N1 (2009). Many diseases that were thought to be under control in the past, such as Tuberculosis and Malaria, have recently resurfaced. According to the Health Medical Lab (Interactive Health Education) online, Tuberculosis is easily caught by individuals who have been diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Of course, there are antibiotics to help treat the airborne TB. However, individuals who have reduced access to healthcare, or simply never get tested, cannot be treated. After never being treated, the development of drug-resistant strands of the disease can develop. This leads to the spread of the multi-drug-resistant strands of Tuberculosis,
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