CDC Grand Rounds: Discovering New Diseases via Enhanced Partnership Between Public Health and Pathology Experts

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sherif Zaki, Emory University; Dianna M. Blau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; James M Hughes, Emory University; Kurt B. Nolte, University of New Mexico; Ruth Lynfield, Minnesota Department of Health; Wendy Carr, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Tanja Popovic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-02-14
• Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: All material in the MMWR Series is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.
• Final Published Version (URL): https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6306a1.htm
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
• Volume: 63
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 121
• End Page: 126
• Keywords: ORGAN-TRANSPLANTATION; Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; SURVEILLANCE; VIRUS; UNITED-STATES; INFECTIOUS-DISEASE; BIOTERRORISM; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME; MED-X; TRANSMISSION
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Pathology

Abstract

Despite advances in public health, medicine, and technology, infectious diseases remain a major source of illness and death worldwide. In the United States alone, unexplained deaths resulting from infectious disease agents have an estimated annual incidence of 0.5 per 100,000 persons aged 1-49 years. Emerging and newly recognized infections, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and West Nile encephalitis, often are associated with life-threatening illnesses and death. Other infectious diseases once thought to be on the decline, such as pertussis, again are becoming major public health threats. Animals increasingly are being recognized as potential vectors for infectious diseases affecting humans; approximately 75% of recently emerging human infectious diseases are of animal origin. Increasing global interconnectivity necessitates more rapid identification of infectious disease agents to prevent, treat, and control diseases.