Global Infectious Diseases

Overview macro/micro economic impact Factors: demographics, hospital-acquired infections, environment, travel and commerce, microbial adaptation/resistance, healthcare breakdown, climate change Progress: NGO’s efforts, regional progress, a renewed interest in research and development of diagnostics, vaccines, and drugs Problem: national limitations

United States Threat small compared to developing countries. However, trend is up. Most diseases originate outside of U.S. Major threats: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, TB, new forms of influenza Antimicrobial resistant pathogens major source of hospital-acquired infections Food-borne illnesses

Latin/South America Inadequate funding/ public health training Measles- endemic disease (common) Columbian exchange devastating

Europe: History Bubonic plague: spread to Europe around 1350 A.D. Killed between 30-60% of Europe’s population. Polio: existed for thousands of years and has affected many regions around the world. Pandemic started in Europe in the 1900s, quickly spreading to the United States.

Europe: Present Reforestation- emergence of Lyme disease Rise in diphtheria, dysentery, cholera, Hepatitis B and C, TB, and HIV Fall of USSR: economic downturn- decrease in health care funds

Africa: History Not many cases of HIV recorded before 1970 Diseases like meningitis and diarrhea became more common in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. HIV drugs produced, but unavailable in Africa HIV numbers continued to increase

Africa: Present Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for almost half of infectious diseases world wide. Largest percentage of HIV/AIDS Caused by poverty, lack of resources, and lack of funding Other diseases: dysentery, cholera, hepatitis, yellow fever, sleeping sickness, and meningitis

Asia: History Bubonic plague- started in Asia; spread to Europe by rats. Accounts of malaria, cholera, and leprosy

Asia: Present Higher risk of contracting diseases then developed countries 2003 SARS epidemic: started in China Avian Flu: contracted from close contact with infected poultry TB: new drug-resistant form- highest number of deaths Other diseases: malaria, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, yellow fever, typhoid fever, meningitis