Is the Threat of Infectious Disease Increasing? What Technology is Available to Contain It?
Roughly 170,000 Americans die from infectious diseases every year. These diseases range from staphylococcus to Tuberculosis to HIV- AIDS. Mostly preventable with lifestyle changes, better sanitary measures and inoculations, these diseases are rampant all over the world. Measles, mumps and rubella have returned after being almost eradicated in the United States, due to some strains of the diseases becoming immune to the antibiotics and vaccines that have been used for many years. Contagious diseases are transmitted and evolved by international travel as well as people refusing to accept the vaccinations. Influenza, like the “bird flu,” has a huge number of victims every year all over the world. It is impossible to give one vaccine for all the different types of the influenza virus that run rampant, especially in third world countries where medical technology has yet to catch up with the rest of the world.
The Threat of Diseases Spreading Globally
International travel is commonplace these days and most travelers are not checked for illnesses before boarding airplanes. Someone with, for example, tuberculosis can board a plane in a third world country and infect all the passengers before anyone realizes the passenger is sick. Germs and viruses can be spread without the carrier even being aware. E. Coli can be transmitted via vegetables that are grown without using the safeguards that prevent the spread of the disease. E. Bola can be passed around as well, by unsuspecting shoppers and others.
Why is This Threat Becoming a Reality?
Poor methods of farming have been responsible for contamination, disease carriers are not contained or treated for their illnesses, Tuberculosis for example, and spread their infections freely to everyone they have contact with. Tuberculosis is highly contagious even when the carrier isn’t aware of their condition. Inoculations don’t work when they’re not given.
What Research is Being done to Control Infectious Diseases?
Technology is available to us today. We are able to use our technological advances like online sources that help keep the globe under surveillance. Researchers are consistently devoting their time to using genetics to find ways to locate the genes responsible for disease, develop vaccines, enhance testing and treatments.
“The optimal preparedness for emerging, re-emerging and deliberately introduced infectious diseases requires a professionally trained and adequately funded public health infrastructure,” - Dr. Kathleen F. Gensheimer, state epidemiologist, division of infectious disease with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Moreover the technological research is done through laboratory diagnostic and epidemiological surveillance systems. This is to detect disease development which then allows a rapid response by highly trained experts. Preventive actions should be instituted immediately upon any discovered problem area.
What can be done or is being done to stop the spread of infectious diseases? According to a report released by the TFAH (Trust for America’s Health), there are several things we can do. Such as;
• Allow for equipped facilities that can respond to diseases and bioterrorism.
• Globally control and eliminate infectious disease threats.
• Put into effect a comprehensive system of surveillance of infectious diseases no matter where around the world they might occur.
• Combine the expertise of state and local public health organizations as well as industry and academic experts.
• Train public health professionals to identify, verify, prevent, control and treat infectious diseases.
Overview
The spread of deadly, contagious diseases can be slowed and stopped. We need further research and more preventative measures to make it work.