Category: Infectious
Part Two: Forgotten Killers
As a follow-up to my previous article, “Forgotten Killers: Pneumonia and Diarrhea Prevalence in Third-World Countries,” I went to the individuals at UNICEF who are on the front lines in the battle to combat pneumonia and diarrhea. I was put in contact with Dr. Renee Van de Weerdt, the Chief of the Maternal, Newborn and […]
Forgotten Killers: Pneumonia and Diarrhea Prevalence in Third-World Countries
Pneumonia and diarrhea may not necessarily come to mind when thinking about the leading killers of children in the world. Malaria and AIDS epidemics have occupied much of the media attention concerning deadly childhood diseases. Shockingly, however, the same number of children die from pneumonia and diarrhea as from malaria, AIDS, measles, injuries, and all […]
Infectious Entertainment
“This just doesn’t feel right,” I reflected, while the bacteria I created spread from one continent to another, coloring the world map a menacing red. Maniacal enthusiasm in using my “DNA points” to upgrade my bacteria’s infectiousness, ability to transmit, and symptoms all too quickly meant I had no infected people left at the end of the game, rendering this round a total failure. Incidentally, I only made my creation extra-multi-resistant (and had there been a totally resistant option I probably would have vamped up to it in no time). Alas, it’s not every day you pretend to bring about the end of humanity using your own carefully customized pathogen! I would not, however, go as far as stating that “Killing billions has never been so fun”, as stated in one of the many positive reviews for the iPhone game app “Plague.”
Change of Mind: Vaccines Now to be Used for Cholera Control in Haiti
By Mathieu Maheu-Giroux The cholera epidemic in Haiti is currently the largest in the world with more than 515,699 reported cases and 6,942 dead (as of 11/30/2011). Since the beginning of the outbreak the bulk of relief efforts has been concentrated on timely case management, the distribution of oral rehydration salts, improving water security, and […]
Is HPV Vaccination Worth the Cost?
The development of vaccination was a significant step forward in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, implementing vaccination in the developing world has proven to be a challenge, largely due to financial costs and administrative burdens. Thus the introduction of several new vaccines is now being accompanied by a critical assessment of the practical barriers to […]
Vaccination Education: Increasing Vaccination Rates through Accurate Information and Primary Care
By Andrew Lea Infectious Disease Columnist In early October, Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachman raised eyebrows after asserting that a “little girl suffered from mental retardation” after “a negative reaction to this potentially dangerous [HPV vaccine].”[1] Although health experts were quick to criticize this point as false rhetoric, Bachmann’s mistrust in vaccinations reflects a larger […]
The Only Animal Disease to be Eradicated: A Critical Exploration of Rinderpest and Our Future with Diseases
Disease eradication used to be a somewhat far-fetched idea even after the 1980 eradication of smallpox. It seemed like a one-time nonreplicable incident, simply a historic medical feat. The complicated politics surrounding disease eradication—enforcing water hygiene, reducing stigmatization, establishing a viable healthcare infrastructure system—continue to seem too overwhelming to resolve. Yet, recent events in the […]
Emerging Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella
The threat of salmonella infections has existed for more than a century as they are some of the most widely spread food-borne diseases. For several countries Salmonella has been a significant health burden—infecting millions and killing thousands worldwide. One of the most prevalent strains is Salmonella enterica, which is the cause of major foodborne illness […]
Balancing Panic and Threat: What ‘Contagion’ Tells Us about Pandemics Today
By Andrew Lea Infectious Disease Columnist Just two months ago, the film Contagion landed itself a top spot at the box office and has since grossed 80 million dollars.[1] The apocalyptic thriller chronicles the progression of a deadly transmissible virus alongside the international community’s race to address mounting health concerns—both unfolding as global social order […]
Antimicrobial Resistance: A Multi-National Collaborative Response
By Megan Parsons Infectious Disease Columnist Life’s minor cuts, scrapes, and sores often have us reaching for the triple antibiotic ointment and a band-aid to prevent infection. Recently, however, experts say a new Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain has emerged because of use of these over-the-counter ointments.[1] In addition, scientists made an alarming discovery that commonly […]
