October 29, 2007

Infectious diseases still remain a constant threat, despite - or maybe even because of - our modern medicine and lifestyle. Millions travel from one dense metropolis to another, making it that much easier and faster for germs to spread. Now, recent news of super-resistant germs has us clamouring for new antibiotics. Considering these factors, a pandemic is an alarming possibility.

Below is a discussion of some of the infectious diseases that have made headlines, throughout the nation or worldwide. Included are facts about the disease and what's being done to prevent or reduce risk in the future.

The Bird Flu

With the SARS epidemic fresh on their minds, many health agencies are monitoring what might be the next worldwide outbreak: bird flu. Though it primarily infects birds, the avian influenza virus, specifically the H5N1 strand, may mutate to a readily transmittable form people can pass easily to each other. Cases of humans contracting the virus have risen steadily since 2003. (This does not mean the avian influenza virus has mutated to this form yet; nearly all those infected had extensive contact with infected birds.)

Billions have gone toward research and contingency plans already but, according to U.N. bird flu coordinator David Nabarro, two or three years' more of research is still needed to ensure the world can cope with a pandemic that could affect millions of people.

Food Borne Illness

Densely populated cities make preparations especially difficult. The contaminated spinach scare not long ago points to how unpredictable and sudden an outbreak can happen in a large city. Germs such as Salmonella and E. coli don't even have to be airborne to spread widely. Because residents can access the food and water supply quickly and simultaneously, a contamination can infect a significant portion of the population before anyone can react.

Members of the agricultural industry have taken steps to reduce the risk of contamination. Even before additional federal regulations are put in place, farmers in California and Arizona are following stricter rules to ensure cleaner crops. "We needed to move quickly and nobody else was doing it, so we had to do it ourselves," said Tom Nassif, president and chief executive officer of the Western Growers Association, which represents more than 3,000 farmers in Arizona and California.

Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering whether to impose national safe-handling rules for salad products, similar to those already in practice in California. For the first time, the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has proposed national regulations for leafy greens handlers in response to heightened food safety concerns.

MRSA

New breeds of bacteria such as MRSA are resisting nearly all of our antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a bacterium resistant to antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin. The difference between it and common staph infections is that MRSA is antibiotic-resistant and can become deadly.

These "superbugs" have developed resistance to withstand drugs that were effective even a few years ago. New, more powerful antibiotics will only work so long before the next mutation makes them obsolete. Many doctors now advise against prescribing antibiotics as a cure-all, especially for viral infections on which antibiotics have no effect.

In an effort to combat the risk and spread of MSRA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to conduct MRSA surveillance, prevention, epidemiologic and laboratory research and outbreak and laboratory support.

Reduce Your Risk of Infectious Disease

You can do your part to combat the spread of infectious diseases. Below are some basic practices to help you and your family stay healthy and happy.

• Wash your hands thoroughly, particularly after eating, cooking, and after using the restroom.
• Keep your vaccinations up-to-date and use antibiotics sensibly.
• Consult a health-care provider for wounds that do not heal or appear infected.
• Make sure your pets are healthy.
• Practice safe sex.
• If you plan to travel, learn about the health risks in the areas you are visiting.