Emerging Diseases

Question 1

What is an emerging infectious disease? What percentage is vector borne? On avg. how many per year?

Answer 1

An emerging disease is on that has appeared in a population for the first time or that may have existed previously but is rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range (WHO)

* Approx 1 new disease per year for the past decade (or more)

* 75% are zoonotic, many are vector borne

Question 2

Why is it important for vets to be involved in EIDs

Answer 2

75% are zoonotic

Question 3

Why are diseases emerging (and spreading)?

Answer 3

1. ecological changes or disruption (particularly climate change)
2. Introduction of animals/people to new areas
3. Increasing global movement (people and animals)
4. Cultural changes and changes to agricultural practices
5. Enhanced disease surveillance and detection (e.g. molecular methods

Question 4

Why does change or disruption (climate change) cause EIDs to emerge?

Answer 4

* changes in precip, extreme weather events (droughts and floods), and seasonal shifts which can directly impact disease agents, vectors, and hosts and their interactions

*e.g. vectors, hosts (stress, malnutrition after disaster)

e.g. Blue tongue virus in Europe moved further north due to increased temperatures (therefore new vectors can sometimes continue to propagation)- Transmission of BTV is affected by temperature. Extrinsic incubation is faster, vector numbers increase, vector distribution expands (so more virus, more hosts, and into new areas)

Question 5

How does the introduction of animals/people into new areas cause EIDS to emerge?

Answer 5

* e.g. clearing jungles, displacement of peoples and animals due to normal factors

* brings domestic animals and people into new animals

*e.g. Hendra Virus

Question 6

Impacts of emerging infectious disease

Answer 6