Podcast
Questions and Answers
What two proteins are used to categorize different subtypes of the influenza A virus?
What two proteins are used to categorize different subtypes of the influenza A virus?
During which pandemic did approximately 500 million people get infected?
During which pandemic did approximately 500 million people get infected?
What was unique about the novel H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009?
What was unique about the novel H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009?
Which group of people is at a higher risk for severe illness from influenza?
Which group of people is at a higher risk for severe illness from influenza?
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Which of the following influenza A subtypes is commonly found in humans?
Which of the following influenza A subtypes is commonly found in humans?
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What was a significant consequence of the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919?
What was a significant consequence of the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919?
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What parasite is responsible for causing malaria?
What parasite is responsible for causing malaria?
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Which respiratory illness emerged in December 2019 and was detected in Wuhan, China?
Which respiratory illness emerged in December 2019 and was detected in Wuhan, China?
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What fraction of the global population was infected by the 2009-2010 Swine Flu pandemic?
What fraction of the global population was infected by the 2009-2010 Swine Flu pandemic?
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Which mosquito species is primarily responsible for the transmission of malaria?
Which mosquito species is primarily responsible for the transmission of malaria?
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What significant event in the 1950s contributed to the elimination of malaria in the U.S.?
What significant event in the 1950s contributed to the elimination of malaria in the U.S.?
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Which of the following is NOT a proposed method to prevent infectious diseases?
Which of the following is NOT a proposed method to prevent infectious diseases?
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What are the three main routes of exposure for infectious diseases mentioned?
What are the three main routes of exposure for infectious diseases mentioned?
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What has contributed to the re-emergence of malaria in the U.S. as of 2023?
What has contributed to the re-emergence of malaria in the U.S. as of 2023?
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What has contributed to the rise of malaria-associated mortalities in recent years?
What has contributed to the rise of malaria-associated mortalities in recent years?
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How many people are estimated to be infected with malaria-causing protozoan parasites today?
How many people are estimated to be infected with malaria-causing protozoan parasites today?
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What major factor led to the neglect of malaria control programs after the use of DDT?
What major factor led to the neglect of malaria control programs after the use of DDT?
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Which of the following is a recommended malaria vaccine for children in high transmission areas?
Which of the following is a recommended malaria vaccine for children in high transmission areas?
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What is the estimated reduction in uncomplicated malaria cases due to current malaria vaccines?
What is the estimated reduction in uncomplicated malaria cases due to current malaria vaccines?
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What is the primary method of preventing the spread of malaria mentioned in the content?
What is the primary method of preventing the spread of malaria mentioned in the content?
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Which animal is primarily suspected as the natural reservoir for SARS-CoV?
Which animal is primarily suspected as the natural reservoir for SARS-CoV?
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What is the approximate case-fatality ratio (CFR) for MERS-CoV as reported?
What is the approximate case-fatality ratio (CFR) for MERS-CoV as reported?
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What symptom is most commonly associated with MERS-CoV infection?
What symptom is most commonly associated with MERS-CoV infection?
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Which statement about West Nile Virus is correct?
Which statement about West Nile Virus is correct?
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How many laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS have been reported globally from April 2012 to date?
How many laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS have been reported globally from April 2012 to date?
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What condition has been linked to Zika virus infection during pregnancy?
What condition has been linked to Zika virus infection during pregnancy?
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What term describes the emergence of a disease new to a population, affecting it globally?
What term describes the emergence of a disease new to a population, affecting it globally?
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Which mosquito species is primarily responsible for spreading the Zika virus?
Which mosquito species is primarily responsible for spreading the Zika virus?
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What is the significance of the 2015-2016 Zika outbreak?
What is the significance of the 2015-2016 Zika outbreak?
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Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of Zika virus infection?
Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of Zika virus infection?
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What was a significant consequence of SARS's spread during its initial outbreak?
What was a significant consequence of SARS's spread during its initial outbreak?
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What was the estimated annual global impact of influenza?
What was the estimated annual global impact of influenza?
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Study Notes
Re-emerging Infectious Diseases
- Malaria is a life-threatening disease prevalent in tropical regions, caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted via Anopheles mosquitoes, not person-to-person.
- Malaria was once endemic in the US, but elimination efforts led to its decline. However, recent cases, like in Florida, Texas, and Maryland, suggest re-emergence due to the presence of Anopheles mosquitoes and the reduced population infected with Plasmodium.
- Historically, widespread DDT use effectively controlled mosquitoes, but its ban led to malaria re-emergence and parasite resistance to available treatments, including chloroquine and mefloquine.
- Today, there are more malaria cases than 40 years ago, with around 600,000-1 million deaths each year and an estimated 300-500 million infections.
- Drug resistance in Plasmodium has made malaria mortality rise.
- Two vaccines are currently available for children in high-transmission areas, reducing uncomplicated and severe malaria cases and overall mortality.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
- SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is caused by SARS-CoV, initially recognized as a global threat in 2003. Believed to be an animal virus (likely Himalayan masked civet, Chinese ferret badger, or raccoon dog) that crossed to humans.
- SARS spread easily between people, requiring no vector, silently incubating for over a week, mimicking other illnesses, and killing ~10% of those infected. Its ease of transmission along international air travel routes and in hospitals negatively impacted economies and international relations.
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) is another viral respiratory disease emerging in 2012, caused by MERS-CoV, likely zoonotic and transmitted from dromedary camels.
- Initial transmission occurred predominantly amongst close contacts or in healthcare settings, with human infections documented in dromedary camels in several Middle Eastern, African, and South Asian countries.
- West Nile Virus, a mosquito-borne illness, causes mild flu-like symptoms and neurological issues (in approximately one out of 150 infected). Originating in Uganda, it has since spread globally, with >5,500 USA cases in 2012-2016 and a yearly average of roughly 2,000.
- Zika Virus, emerging in the 1940s and linked to dengue, yellow fever, etc viruses, spreads via Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito bites. Many infections are asymptomatic or mild. However, infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects like microcephaly.
- Epidemics are more cases than usual; pandemics are worldwide epidemics of novel diseases, with facile human-to-human transmission.
- Seasonal influenza (flu), estimated to affect 5–15% of the global population annually, and causes significant illness and deaths (250,000–500,000 worldwide). Influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) are commonly found. Subtypes are based on surface proteins (hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N)).
- 20th-century flu pandemics include Spanish Flu (1918-1919), Swine Flu (2009-2010).
- Novel (Swine) A/H1N1, a new virus emerged in 2009, with generally mild illness except for some high-risk groups.
- COVID-19, a SARS-CoV-2 beta coronavirus, emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019, likely from a wet market. It spreads via droplets, fomites, and aerosols.
- Other pathogens to watch out for include Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, Marburg virus, Lassa fever, Nipah and henipaviral diseases, Rift Valley fever, and Disease X.
Preventing Infectious Diseases
- Increased research is needed
- Reducing poverty, improving drinking water quality, and minimizing overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock are crucial.
- Careful handwashing, child immunization, and oral hydration for diarrhea are essential preventive measures.
- Efforts to reduce HIV/AIDS are also vital.
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Description
This quiz explores the resurgence of malaria, a dangerous disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Examine the historical context, recent cases in the US, and the challenges posed by drug resistance and mosquito control measures. Test your knowledge on malaria's impact and the current state of vaccination efforts.
