29 Questions
What is an emerging infectious disease?
A disease of infectious origin whose incidence in humans has increased or threatens to increase in the near future
What is the process of transfer of a disease from one species to another?
Zoonosis
Which of the following is a contributory factor to the emergence of infectious diseases?
Breakdown of public health measures
What is a consequence of international public health programs?
Increased population crisis
How does air travel contribute to the spread of infectious diseases?
By allowing infected individuals to travel quickly before symptoms appear
What is a result of climate change in relation to infectious diseases?
Expanded habitable ranges and lengthened seasons of vectors and pathogens
What is a result of suburban development in relation to disease outbreaks?
Increased human-animal interactions
What is a consequence of extreme weather patterns from natural fluctuations or man-made changes?
Increased disease outbreaks
What is a characteristic of Dengue Fever?
It is an urban tropical disease
What is a consequence of a person being infected with Dengue Fever multiple times?
They are more likely to develop the hemorrhagic variety
How many people are vulnerable to Dengue Fever?
Over 3 billion people
What is the impact of urbanization on the spread of Dengue Fever?
It has increased the spread of the disease
What percentage of the population lived in cities by 2025?
65%
What is the name of the disease that spreads rapidly across borders due to increased travel?
SARS
What is the primary factor that allows the rapid spread of emerging diseases?
Transportation
In which year was the coronavirus identified as the official cause of SARS?
2003
What type of animals were found to carry the SARS coronavirus?
Palm civets and raccoons
What is the main reason for the rise of antibiotic resistance?
Wide distribution of antimicrobials
What is the primary purpose of antibiotics in livestock?
To promote growth and prevent disease in livestock
What is the main difference between HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA?
HA-MRSA is more commonly found in hospitals, while CA-MRSA is more commonly found in communities
What is the primary risk factor for MRSA infection in patients?
Presence of open wounds or invasive medical devices
What is the primary transmission method of MRSA in hospitals?
Hospital staff not following proper sanitation protocols
What is the characteristic of CA-MRSA infections?
They cause more severe illness and can penetrate to vital organs
Where have MRSA bacteria been found in Florida?
In the sand and water at beaches along the west coast
Which of the following populations is at a higher risk of getting infected with MRSA?
Children, elderly, and people with weak immune systems
Why does Maryland not have an accurate count of MRSA cases?
Because Maryland does not keep official records of MRSA cases
What led to a decline in infectious diseases in the 18th and 19th centuries?
Public health and sanitation measures
What has contributed to the resurgence of infectious diseases?
Complacency, distraction, and distrust of science
Where are people more likely to be infected with MRSA?
In con ned spaces with other people
Study Notes
Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Emerging infectious diseases are diseases of infectious origin whose incidence in humans has increased over the past two decades or threatens to increase in the near future.
- They can be novel, re-emerging, or spreading beyond their historic range.
- Factors contributing to the emergence of infectious diseases include ecological changes, human demographic changes, travel, technology and industry, microbial adaptation, and breakdown of public health measures.
Ecological Changes
- Aggressive and suburban development has led to an increase in human-animal interactions, expanding the habitable range of vectors and pathogens.
- Climate change has led to extreme weather patterns, resulting in disease outbreaks.
- El Niño has been linked to outbreaks of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.
Dengue Fever
- Dengue fever is a severe, urban, tropical disease characterized by severe body aches and pains, and can lead to hemorrhagic fever.
- There are four antigenically distinct viral serotypes, with no protective cross-immunity.
- Over 3 billion people are vulnerable, with 80-100 million cases annually.
- The incidence of dengue fever has increased 30-fold from 1960 to 2010.
Human Demographic Changes
- Urbanization has led to increased population density in urban areas, surpassing basic services such as clean water supplies, sanitary conditions, and adequate housing.
- Public health measures in overcrowded cities are strained or unavailable.
Travel
- Travel is a significant factor in the rapid spread of emerging diseases.
- Increased economic activity across international boundaries has led to increased travel.
- Diseases are no longer confined to geographical boundaries.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- SARS is a near pandemic that emerged in 2002-2003, with a mortality rate increasing with age.
- The disease was caused by a coronavirus, which originated in bats and spread to humans through animals sold in markets.
- The virus was found in palm civets, raccoons, badgers, and domestic cats.
Technology and Industry
- Globalization has increased the spread of diseases through travel, food processing, and the movement of raw and processed materials.
- Medical technology has also contributed to the spread of diseases.
Microbial Adaptation and Change
- Over the past 70 years, only one individual has been cured of a communicable disease.
- Antibiotic resistance has emerged due to the widespread use of antimicrobials.
- Antibiotic residues are detected in municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents.
Antibiotic Resistance
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of bacteria resistant to many antibiotics.
- There are two types of MRSA: healthcare-associated (HA-MRSA) and community-associated (CA-MRSA).
- CA-MRSA is more severe and can penetrate body walls to vital organs.
Breakdown of Public Health Measures
- Complacency, distraction, re-prioritization, and distrust of science have led to a lapse in public health measures.
- Public health and sanitation measures that minimized the spread of infectious diseases in humans have been neglected.
Learn about the diseases that have increased in incidence over the past two decades or threaten to increase in the near future, including novel, re-emerging, and spreading diseases. Discover the contributory factors, such as zoonosis and adaptations of existing animal diseases.
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