Our days here are numbered.

Just thought you'd like to know :) The emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases involves many interrelated factors. Global interconnectedness continues to increase with international travel and trade; economic, political, and cultural interactions; and human-to-human and animal-to-human interactions. These interactions include the accidental and deliberate sharing of microbial agents and antimicrobial resistance and allow the emergence of new and unrecognized microbial disease agents. As the 21st century begins, already new agents have been identified, and new outbreaks have occurred. Solutions to limiting the spread of emerging infectious diseases will require cooperative efforts among many disciplines and entities worldwide. This article defines emerging infectious diseases, summarizes historical background, and discusses factors that contribute to emergence. Seven agents that have made a significant appearance, particularly in the 21st century, are reviewed, including: Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers, human monkeypox, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus, and avian influenza ANTHRAX: A disease that would be likely to kill only twenty percent of any group that was exposed to it, provided that massive and adequate medical treatment was available. The symptoms that Anthrax produces are high fever, vomiting, hemorrhage, headaches and bloody diarrhea.

RABBIT FEVER: People usually get this disease from rodents by means of fly bites. Rabbit Fever causes the lymph nodes in the body to swell, with a resultant high fever. Sometimes these swollen lymph nodes transform themselves into ulcers. A bit more unpleasant than the common cold, but you can cure it with certain antibiotics if you happen to have them in your pocket.

BOTULISM A: A few people may recall that this virus killed a couple of folks when it cropped up in some cans of soup in the summer of 1971. Because the ingestion of this virus results in a paralysis of the eyes, throat, chest and the entire respiratory system, it is almost always fatal.

Q FEVER: Kinder than most of the biological weapons, this one won't kill you; it will merely waste you for a long time. The advantage of this bug is that it is highly infectious. You can spread it around very quickly and very easily. All you have to do is to breathe out near someone who is breathing in.

VENEZUELAN EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS: A deadly disease that inflames the brain and spinal cord. It can be carried and dispersed by migrating birds. If you think this bird idea is pure theory, be informed that the Pentagon has put a number of millions of dollars into finding out just how this could be done.

STAPHYLOCOCCUS ENTEROTOXIN: Another 'humane' germ. It will only make you vomit violently for a number of days. Unless you are weak, old or pregnant it won't kill you.




Agent
Disease condition

Anaplasma phagocytophilum Human granulocytic anaplasmosis
Australian bat lyssavirus Encephalitis
Bartonella clarridgeae Cat scratch disease
Bartonella elizabethae Endocarditis, bacteremia
Brachiola vesicularum Microsporidiosis
Ehrlichia ewingii Ehrlichiosis
Encephalitozoon intestinalis Enteritis, disseminated infection
Gymnophalloides seoi Gastrointestinal illness
Hantaviruses
- Sin Nombre virus
- Whitewater Arroyo virus Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Hemorrhagic fever
Hendra virus Encephalitis, respiratory disease
Hepatitis G virus Hepatitis (suspected)
Human herpesvirus-8 Kaposi sarcoma
Metapneumovirus Acute respiratory infections, pneumonia
Metorchis conjunctus Liver disease
Nipah virus Encephalitis
Nocardia veterana Pulmonary disease
SARS-associated coronavirus Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Trachipleistophora hominis Microsporidiosis
TT virus Hepatitis (possible)
Vibrio parahaemolyticus serotype 03K6 Gastroenteritis

.