Here are the top 5 emerging infections worldwide so far in 2014, some you will recognise immediately, others may come as a surprise to you!
5) Influenza AH7N9 – China
Influenza is common worldwide but specific strains of the disease have caused additional problems in the last decade with the Bird Flu epidemic and now the AH7N9 strain, never to have infected humans before, has caused an outbreak in China. The AH7N9 strain has only ever been found within birds but the individuals diagnosed with this strain have all been in contact with animals meaning there is potentially an animal to person transmission. Most patients with the infection have developed severe pneumonia but information is still extremely limited about the effect of the strain on humans. 6 positive cases have been identified but it is still too early to estimate the effect this may have worldwide, no person to person transmission has been identified yet.
4) MERS Cornavirus
“Mers virus: Saudi Arabia raises death toll to 282” – BBC
“World Health Organization says most MERS cases are preventable, virus infection rates slowing” – US NEWS
“Mers virus deaths prompt fresh warning” – The Guardian
The MERS virus has been found within the news headlines for many months now with over 280 deaths as of May 2014. MERS stands for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome so it is no shock that this virus is found within the Middle East, affecting Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Qatar. It was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and since then over 30% of people who have become infected have died. MERS causes respiratory disease causing people to become short of breath and gain a fever. So far there has been no spreading amongst community settings affecting healthy individuals, it seems that for now the virus is only been contracted from person to person if you are living in the same house as an ill person, close contact seems essential to contract the virus.
3) Zika Virus – French Polynesia
“Zika Fever in French Polynesia (Tahiti)” – CDC
“First case of laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection imported into Europe, November 2013” – Euro Surveillance
When researching emerging diseases I was surprised to see the Zika Fever at number three, a disease I have never heard of! The Zika infections is spread via mosquitos but can be transmitted person to person. This virus is closely related to the Dengue virus and can produce similar symptoms. No cure is available however treatment can be used to control the symptoms. The recent outbreak has occurred within the French Polynesia, with over 400 clinical cases been reported within both genders and all age groups. No deaths were recorded. The Zika Fever is normally found within Africa, Asia and the Western Pacific. Travellers are been encouraged to research preventative measures before travelling to these continents, especially if you are travelling to the French Polynesia.
2) Chikungunya Virus – Caribbean
“The painful, mosquito-borne chikungunya virus has reached the US” – Vox
“Say Hello to the Latest Mosquito-Borne Virus: Chikungunya” – Yahoo News
According to the WHO, the Chikungunya Virus is viral disease transmitted to humans via infected mosquitos, very much in a similar way to how Malaria spreads. There is no cure for this disease and has been identified in nearly 40 countries worldwide. In late 2013 the disease was identified in the Caribbean for the first time, never to have been found within the Americas before. Even though deaths are rare there is a danger to vulnerable individuals, especially if other illnesses are present – it could lead to a fatal outcome. Many individuals are left with chronic joint pain for years after contracting the disease, treatment is available to help relieve the pain and symptoms. Prevention methods have been released on important internet sites and treatment is available to those who believe they have contracted the virus.
1) Ebola – West Africa
“Outbreak of Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone” 16th July 2014 – CDC
“Ebola: A swift, effective and bloody killer” – CNN
I published a post relating to the outbreak of Ebola within West Africa on the 4th June – https://abijadeblog.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/should-we-be-worried-by-the-threat-of-ebola-worldwide/ . It has managed to make its way to the number one emerging disease so far in 2014, now with an estimated 964 deaths. The outbreak is now reaching news channels worldwide, with big health organisations such as Public Health England and the World Health Organisation releasing new updates on the situation daily. The virus is spreading fast across countries within West Africa, so far it has remained here and not spread worldwide but it could only be a matter of time. As the number one emerging infection it requires notice and dedication of the first world countries to take control of the situation and offer assistance.
“As of July 12, 2014, the World Health Organization, in partnership with the Ministries of Health in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, announced a cumulative total of 964 suspect and confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and 603 deaths. Of the 964 clinical cases, 706 cases have been laboratory confirmed for Ebola virus infection.”
The Young Scientist 