What is bioterrorism? Bioterrorism is a form of terrorism where there is the intentional release of biological agents (bacteria, viruses, or other germs). This is also referred to as germ warfare. Terrorism is defined by the United States government as the "unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce...
Zika virus facts Share Your Story Zika virus is a virus related to dengue, West Nile, and other viruses. Zika virus may play a role in developing congenital microcephaly (small head and brain) in the fetus of infected pregnant women. The viral disease was first noted in 1947 in Africa and has spread by outbreaks...
What is Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, degenerative, invariably fatal brain disorder. It affects about one person in every one million people per year worldwide; in the United States there are about 300 cases per year. CJD usually appears in later life and runs a rapid...
Recreational water illness (RWIs) facts Contrary to popular belief, chlorine does not kill all germs instantly. There are germs today that are very tolerant to chlorine and were not known to cause human disease until recently. Once these germs get in the pool, it can take anywhere from minutes to days for chlorine to kill...
Guinea worm disease facts* *Guinea worm disease facts by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Dracunculiasis, more commonly known as Guinea worm disease (GWD), is a preventable infection caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis. In 2011, only four countries reported cases of GWD: Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan. Anyone who drinks standing pond water contaminated...
Background Share Your Story Variant CJD (vCJD) is a rare, degenerative, fatal brain disorder in humans. Although experience with this new disease is limited, evidence to date indicates that there has never been a case of vCJD transmitted through direct contact of one person with another. However, a case of probable transmission of vCJD through...
Fungal meningitis facts* *Fungal meningitis facts medical author: Charles P. Davis, MD, PhD Fungal meningitis is rare; the most common cause is Cryptococcus spp. infection, but many other fungi may occasionally cause meningitis. Fungal meningitis is not transmitted from person to person. The fungi are usually inhaled and then spread by the blood to the...
Cryptosporidiosis facts* *Cryptosporidiosis facts by Charles P. Davis, MD, PhD Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by parasites named Cryptosporidium; the parasites have a life cycle that can be completed in humans and many types of animals. The disease cryptosporidiosis is spread from person to person after the parasites are shed into the environment; they...