Epidemic Disease History

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Topics:

Smallpox
Plague
Influenza
HIV
Typhus
Emerging Infections
Biological Warfare

Links
DoD/Global Emerging Infections System

CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal

Bibliography

This page is updated frequently, check back for new content.

         Long the topic of movies and sensational headlines, emerging infectious diseases form one of the most interesting fields of medicine. As the human population expands and becomes more mobile, multiple opportunities are created for microbed to gain a foothold in our species. As we push back the few remaining frontiers we run the risk of encountering microorganisms that have evolved for millions of years without encountering man. We would likely have no natural resistance to such a pathogen, much as was the case with Native Americans and smallpox.
          There are numerous pathogens that qualify as emerging infections. HIV can still be regarded as emerging, as its effects on our species have still not reached equilibrium. The West Nile virus is currently establishing a beach head in the United States as cases continue to appear in birds and humans in the Northeast US. How far inland this disease will spread is not known, though conditions favor its eventual dissemination across North America. The notorious ebola virus continues to reappear mysteriously time and again in small but deadly outbreaks. It has not caused a widespread epidemic or spread to the US. Yet.
          The threat of emerging diseases can be seen closer to home as well. The overuse of antibiotics has led to an explosion of drug resistant bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of hospital acquired infections, is rapidly acquiring resistance to currently available antibiotics.

DoD/GEIS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Alliance with the US Military and other organizations carefully monitors emerging disease activity throughout the world. The Global Emerging Infections System serves as the focal point of this effort. They provide information regarding current outbreaks as well as information to help physicians recognize new epidemics. This organization provides millions in funding to organizations researching emerging diseases.

Emerging Disease Topics

Antibiotic Resistance

Hemorrhagic Fevers

Vector Borne Diseases

Prion Diseases

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