More education and research must be done on this virus to gain a better understanding of how this deadly virus works. This will prevent spreading, and help to control the Ebola virus.
Hantavirus is a disease that could strike fear into many communities in the Southwestern U.S.A. This virus first appeared in rodent?s inn 1976 in Korea. Cases have also been found in Japan, Russia and Sweden. The virus was first recognized in 1993 in the U.S.A. This disease causes a high fever, muscle pain, low blood pressure, vomiting and the lungs fill up with fluid and death results from respiratory failure. There have been over 100 cases in the U.S.A with a mortality rate of 50 percent. The host of the virus is deer mice and therefore controlling deer mice can control the virus. If a rodent control program is applied, the disease could be wiped out for good in the U.S.A. Hantavirus has caused a decline in tourism in the Southwest. The general public needs to be aware of the disease to make sure they avoid contact with deer mice. The carrier for Ebola is unknown making the prevention of the virus impossible, unlike Hantavirus.
Although Dengue fever does not sound familiar there are up to 100 million cases each year. This virus is found in tropical Asia, South America and the Caribbean. The disease causes fever, muscle pain, rash and can sometimes lead to hemorrhagic fever and internal bleeding. Epidemics of this disease are continually increasing, and the disease is now reported in 18 countries in Americas. Dengue is now plaguing large cities in Southeast Asia and is a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children in many Southeastern Asia countries. Mosquitoes transmit disease and currently there is now treatment or cure. New strains are appearing constantly. Dengue can be prevented by eliminating the carrier – mosquitoes. About 200 cases are introduced into Canada and the U.S.A every year. Healthcare officials in North America need to be trained to recognize and diagnose the disease so that the patient can be looked after.
Lassa fever was recognized in West Africa in 1969 and currently there are 30,000 cases a year resulting in 5000 deaths. More and more outbreaks are occurring in western Africa today as a result of civil war. The virus causes high temperature, muscle pain, diarrhea, internal bleeding and patient can become delirious and confused. Little research is underway in West African countries. Monitoring of the disease is virtually nonexistent, little is known about it. Rodents carry Lassa fever and, once again, eliminating the carrier can control this virus, just like the Hantavirus.
The majority of these emerging diseases do not have treatments, cures or vaccines. We need to recognize these diseases as a threat. Is our world ready for a massive outbreak or epidemic of a deadly, incurable disease such as Ebola or Lassa fever?
Although detection of an infectious disease is the first element of response, what follows, may in fact, determine the final impact of an emerging disease on the public?s health. The faster one of these diseases are recognized the easier it will be to contain, if action is not taken the outbreak could pose a threat to mankind. Effective means against such diseases would involve efforts by many individuals, government agencies and private organizations.
Infectious diseases are the major cause of death worldwide and will remain so during our lifetime. With the application of new scientific knowledge, well-planned strategies, political will and adequete resources, many of these diseases may be prevented by immunization, contained by the use of drugs or control methods, and, rarely even wipe out the deadly disease. We will eventually be faced with an outbreak that has the potential to become the next ?Black Death?, in our time. There is no doubt that new infectious diseases will appear in the future, and possibly be at higher levels.
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