Review of Six Modern Plagues
Title: Six Modern Plagues and How We Are Causing Them
Apollo Casco
College of DuPage
Abstract
This paper is a review of the book “Six Modern Plagues and How We Are Causing Them”. Discussing about the causative agents of each plague and how we increased the severity of each; Mad Cow Disease (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy), Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Salmonella, Lyme Disease, Hantavirus, and West Nile Virus. Millions of people have died because of these diseases that can easily transfer from person to person or from animal to person, by eating half cooked meat, or simply a mosquito bite.
Keywords: mad cow disease, hiv/aids, salmonella, Lyme disease, Hantavirus, west Nile virus
Six Modern Plagues and How We Are Causing Them
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the technical name for mad cow disease, first struck in a cattle farm in England in 1984. The infected cow started acting strangely. As the disease progresses, the cow developed head tremors and became unsteady, then became violent. The veterinarian who is trying to diagnose what is happening with the cows concluded that the disease is attacking the brain. Further study of the brain of the infected animal revealed a sponge like appearance of the brain.
It took sixteen (16) years before the authorities in agriculture pointed out what is causing the disease into the cattle. “Rendering”, recycling of animal parts that usually go to waste was turned into high protein feed for herbivores like the cows, sheep, and goats. This process was stopped on year 2000. Disregarding the dietary boundaries of animals caused bad effects on the animals itself and into humans as well by consuming their meat.
Centers for Disease and Prevention alarmed the public in 1981 about the emergence of an agent capable of suppressing the immune response on humans; a new virus. Because the virus attacks the immune system, they named it “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome”.
Apollo Casco
College of DuPage
Abstract
This paper is a review of the book “Six Modern Plagues and How We Are Causing Them”. Discussing about the causative agents of each plague and how we increased the severity of each; Mad Cow Disease (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy), Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Salmonella, Lyme Disease, Hantavirus, and West Nile Virus. Millions of people have died because of these diseases that can easily transfer from person to person or from animal to person, by eating half cooked meat, or simply a mosquito bite.
Keywords: mad cow disease, hiv/aids, salmonella, Lyme disease, Hantavirus, west Nile virus
Six Modern Plagues and How We Are Causing Them
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the technical name for mad cow disease, first struck in a cattle farm in England in 1984. The infected cow started acting strangely. As the disease progresses, the cow developed head tremors and became unsteady, then became violent. The veterinarian who is trying to diagnose what is happening with the cows concluded that the disease is attacking the brain. Further study of the brain of the infected animal revealed a sponge like appearance of the brain.
It took sixteen (16) years before the authorities in agriculture pointed out what is causing the disease into the cattle. “Rendering”, recycling of animal parts that usually go to waste was turned into high protein feed for herbivores like the cows, sheep, and goats. This process was stopped on year 2000. Disregarding the dietary boundaries of animals caused bad effects on the animals itself and into humans as well by consuming their meat.
Centers for Disease and Prevention alarmed the public in 1981 about the emergence of an agent capable of suppressing the immune response on humans; a new virus. Because the virus attacks the immune system, they named it “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome”.
References: Last, F.M., Last, F.M., & Last, F.M. (YEAR). The article title: And the article subtitle. The Journal Title, vol#, page–page Abbott, Alison, and Geoff Brumfiel. "Nobel for AIDS virus discovery, finally." Nature 455.7214 (2008): 712+. Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. Document URL http://0-go.galegroup.com.lrc.cod.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA188847600&v=2.1&u=cod_lrc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Health (2008). National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Retrieved from http://www.niaid.nih.gov/TOPICS/HIVAIDS/UNDERSTANDING/Pages/whatAreHIVAIDS.aspx (Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, 2012)