Emerging Viruses

Question 1

What are the factors contributing to emerging pathogens?

Answer 1

Population
Travel
Changing Environment and Social Behavior
Changing industry and technology
Changes in the organism

Question 2

How does population play a role in emerging pathogens?

Answer 2

Increasing population and increasing amount of people living in cities, can more easily spread to one another.

Question 3

How does travel factor into disease?

Answer 3

Travel is possible to anywhere in the world, thus diseases can be brought anywhere from their origins easily.

Question 4

What are examples of changes in behavior adding to emerging diseases?

Answer 4

Unsafe Sex
IV Drug Use
Increasing antibacterial/antiviral use
Day Care - close proximity of children

Question 5

What changes to the environment can influence disease spread?

Answer 5

Global warming allows a wider area of infection for vectors that require warm climates and also environment destruction leads to animals migrating.

Question 6

How does changing technology influence pathogens?

Answer 6

We are getting better technology to detect the pathogens and transplanting organs can spread diseases.

Question 7

What region of the united states if the Hantavirus located?

Answer 7

Southwest United States

Question 8

How does a human contract Hantavirus?

Answer 8

Close contact with Deer Mouse, or aerosoled urine/droppings that are infected.

Question 9

What are the common symptoms of Hantavirus?

Answer 9

Acute onset pulmonary edema
Shock
High Mortality Rate

Question 10

What has led to the emergence of Hantavirus?

Answer 10

Changes in environment leading to more food for the mice and their population increasing
More exposure and closer contact with mice

Question 11

What is the vector and reservoir for West Nile virus?

Answer 11

Mosquito (Culex Pipiens) is vector and birds are the reservoir.

Question 12

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?

Answer 12

Many people are asymptomatic or have viral syndrome of fever, headache, rash, lymphadenopaty, etc.
–Older individuals (50+) and immunocompromised can develop severe meningitis and encephalitis–

Question 13

What time of year is West Nile virus have the highest prevalence?

Answer 13

Late Summer and Early Fall

Question 14

Where is the highest prevalence of West Nile Virus?

Answer 14

Midwest and South - Texas had the most last year.

Question 15

What are the symptoms of Dengue Fever?

Answer 15

Commonly called “Breakbone Fever”
Severe bone pain and myalgias with fever
–Causes increased permeability of vasculature and frail vessels that hemorrhage– High Mortality Rate (2nd exposure)

Question 16

What is the difference between the 1st and 2nd exposures to Dengue virus?

Answer 16

First exposure - body makes antibodies to that serotype
2nd exposure, if same serotype = protection
if DIFFERENT serotype, then the antibodies bind, but do not neutralize and the innate immune system binds the antibodies releasing cytokines causing severe myalgias and fevers.

Question 17

Why is Dengue fever re-emerging?

Answer 17

• Decreased vector control
• Expanding environment due to climate change
• Travel of infected individuals

Question 18

Where does Monkey Pox come from primarily?

Answer 18

Originally from Monkeys in Africa that spread it to squirrels and rats, which spread to Prairie Dogs that have become pets for humans.

Question 19

What are the common symptoms of Monkey Pox?

Answer 19

12 days incubation, then nonspecific viral syndrome fever, chills, HA, myalgias
Then - 3 days after fever - Rash - “Pox” develops and can last between 2-4 weeks.

Question 20

How are some people immune to the illness and others are not?

Answer 20

Any “Pox” vaccine will protect you from the illness, however many younger people are not immune due to no longer being vaccinated.

Question 21

Why is the monkey pox emerging?

Answer 21

Primarily population No Longer Vaccinated

Also movement of virus into new species and changes in behavior of humans.

Question 22

What is the disease that is emerging and encompasses all emerging factors?

Answer 22

HIV