BIOLOGY 3rd Qtr quiz na long test

Emerging Diseases

• Have not occurred in humans before (hard to establish)

• Have occurred but affected a small number of people in isolated places (e.g. AIDS and Ebola virus)

• Have occurred throughout human history as distinct diseases due to an infectious agent (e.g. Lyme disease and gastric ulcers)

Re-emerging diseases

• Those that have affected a given area in the past, declined or were controlled, but are again being reported in increasing numbers (e.g. malaria and tuberculosis)

Factors triggering emerging and re-emerging diseases:

• Destruction of natural habitats

• Changes in the population of reservoir hosts or insect vectors, and microbial mutations

Social determinants contributing to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (WHO):

• Demographic factors like population distribution and density

• International travel/tourism and increased OFWs

• Socio-economic factors

• Environmental factors (i.e. natural disasters, ecological changes, urbanization encroaching on animal habitats)

Pandemic Influenza

• A pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of the flu caused by a new strain of the influenza A virus. These new strains are not affected by immunity to previous strains, allowing them to spread quickly and infect many people, often leading to widespread disruptions in healthcare and society

Transmission

• pig-duck agriculture (possibly)

• Pandemic influenza occurs when a new strain of influenza A virus emerges that can spread easily from person to person and cause widespread illness.

• These viruses often originate from animals, such as birds or pigs, before acquiring the ability to infect humans.

• An example of this is when a swine influenza A virus infects a person, it is referred to as a "variant influenza virus," such as H3N2v. If such a virus mutates to spread efficiently among people, it can lead to a flu pandemic, as seen in the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Symptoms

• Mild to moderate symptoms. Fever, lethargy, cough, runny nose, sore throat, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

• Severe illness. In some cases, especially with high-risk individuals, pandemic influenza can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death.

Diagnosis

• Respiratory specimen testing through state departments. 

• Confirmatory testing by laboratories for influenza strains

Treatments

• Antiviral medications such as oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir are effective in treating influenza.

• Basic procedural care such as hydration and rest.

Immunity

• Infection with a variant influenza virus may provide some immunity, but cross-protection between different strains is uncertain.

• Seasonal flu vaccination does not provide immunity against any pandemic influenza viruses but may help prevent severe illness if co-infection occurs.

• People with weakened immune systems, young children, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions are at greater risk of severe illness and may have a weaker immune response to infections.

Others

The Philippines has reported seasonal influenza cases but has not been the origin of any pandemic influenza strain. Surveillance efforts continue to monitor variant influenza infections.

West Nile Infection

• A mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the West Nile virus, leading to flu-like symptoms, and in severe cases, neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Transmission

LG Description: Complex interactions between the virus, birds and other animals, mosquitoes, and the environment

• West Nile virus disease (West Nile) circulates the environment between mosquitoes (mainly Culex species) and birds.

• People become infected through vector transmissions: mosquitoes feed on infected birds before biting people. Yet people are considered dead-end hosts because they cannot pass the virus from other biting mosquitoes.

• The virus can be transmitted from person-toperson by blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and mother to baby, during pregnancy, delivery, or breast feeding.

Symptoms

• No symptoms in most people. Most people (8 out of 10) infected do not develop any symptoms.

• Febrile illness (fever) in some people. About 1 in 5 people infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with febrile illness recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.

• Serious symptoms in a few people. About 1 in 150 people infected develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).

Diagnosis

• When the individual shows signs and symptoms

• History of possible exposure to mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus 

• Laboratory testing of blood or spinal symptoms

Treatment

• No specific medicines available can treat West Nile. Antibiotics do not treat viruses. 

• Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medications may relieve some symptoms.

• In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.

Immunity

• Most people infected are believed to have lifelong immunity from West Nile virus. Yet some people develop weakened immune systems due to certain conditions or medications with a weak immune response to the initial infection.

Others

West Nile virus does not pose a risk in the Philippines according to JPAC.

Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever

• A severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus, leading to high fever, internal bleeding, organ failure, and shock. It is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or animals

Transmission

LG Description: unknown natural reservoir; nosocomial transmission; possible aerosol transmission

• Marburg hemorrhagic fever (Marburg HF) is a severe, often fatal disease caused by the Marburg virus, a member of the Filoviridae family, which also includes the Ebola virus. The disease was first recognized in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, as well as in Belgrade, Serbia, linked to infected African green monkeys imported from Uganda. The virus is zoonotic, with fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) serving as its possible natural reservoir.

Symptoms

• Mild to moderate symptoms. Such as fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

• Severe illness. As the disease progresses, those infected may experience severe hemorrhaging, organ failure, shock, and death. Hemorrhagic manifestations include bleeding from the nose, gums, and gastrointestinal tract. Neurological symptoms such as confusion, agitation, and seizures can also occur

Diagnosis

• Early diagnosis is challenging due to the virus manifesting non-specific symptoms. Laboratory tests are required for proper identification and confirmation including: 

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting viral antigens or antibodies

Treatment

• There are no specific antiviral treatments available. Management of this disease is primarily provided through supportive care. This includes Rehydration Therapy, treatment of secondary infections with antibiotics, and experimental therapies (ones that focus on monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs)

Immunity

• Survivors of the Marburg HF may develop long-term immunity to the virus, but the duration and effectiveness of this still remain unclear.

• Some survivors may experience long-term health complications, including vision problems, join, pain, and fatigue.

Others

The Philippines has no known cases of Marburg HF, however the country may remain at risk due to its tropical climate and the presence of bat species known to carry similar filoviruses. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) continue its surveillance for viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Marburg and Ebola-related viruses.

Lassa Fever

A viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, primarily spread through contact with rodent urine or feces. It can cause fever, sore throat, vomiting, organ damage, and in severe cases, bleeding and shock.

Transmission

LG Description: urbanization and other conditions that favor the rodent host; nosocomial transmission

• exposure to food or household items that are contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rat

• Direct contact with infected rats

• Person-to-person transmission – direct contact with blood, urine, faeces or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever

• Lassa virus may persist in the semen of some males who recovered from the disease for up to few months

Symptoms

• When Asymptomatic:

  • Fever, general headaches

  • After a few days, you may encounter muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough and abdominal pain.

  • in severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure may develop

  • Shock, seizures, tremor, disorientation, and coma may be seen in the later stages

• During Pregnancy

  • high maternal and foetal mortality, where fetal death and maternal death rates can exceed 80% and 30% respectively

Diagnosis

• reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay 

• antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

• antigen detection tests 

• virus isolation by cell culture

Treatment

• There is currently no antiviral drug approved for Lassa fever. The antiviral drug ribavirin has been given as treatment for Lassa fever; however, there are currently considerable uncertainties about its efficacy on the outcome of patients with Lassa fever, as well as on its optimal dosing regimens.

• There is currently no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever, but several potential candidate vaccines are in development.

Salmonellosis

• A bacterial infection caused by Salmonella species, typically acquired through contaminated food or water. It leads to symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, and in severe cases, can cause dehydration or systemic infection.

Transmission

LG Description: Globalization of food trade, improper preparation of eggs for eating

• Contaminated food, including chicken, fruits, pork, and seeded vegetables. But any food can become contaminated.

• Contaminated water, including drinking, irrigation water, and recreational water.

• Animal contact with humans

• Contacted with infected people (unwashed hands or sexual contact

Symptoms

• Most people have watery diarrhea that may have blood or mucus, and severe stomach cramps.

• Some also have headaches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

• Symptoms start from 6 hrs to 6 days after infection, lasting 4-7 days.

Prevention

• Wash your hands

• Clean, separate, cook, and chill Play it safe around animals 

• Drink pasteurized milk and juices

• Protect your health when traveling abroad

Treatment

• Drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration

• Anti-diarrheal medication (unless there is the presence of bloody diarrhea, diarrhea and fever, and diarrhea lasting more than 2 days)

• Most people recover without using antibiotics

If infected, protect others when you have diarrhea:

• Do not share your food with others.

• Do not handle, prepare, or serve food to others, if possible.

• Stay home from childcare, school, and work while sick or until the health department says it is safe to return. 

• Do not swim or soak in water that is shared with other people

• Wait to have sex

Others

• A total of 799 Salmonella isolates have been found in wet markets and abattoirs in Metro Manila alone (Pavon et al., 2022).

• Salmonella cases rise to 13,000 in 2023, increasing from 9,000 in 2022 (Arayata, 2024).

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever

Year Recognized: 1976 in almost simultaneous outbreaks in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) and Sudan (now South Sudan)

Causative Agent: Ebola Virus

Mode of Infection: Contact with body fluids

Symptoms: takes 2-21 days to appear

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Aches

• Vomiting

• Bleeding 

• Diarrhea

Treatment: 

• Fluids and electrolytes

• Medicine

Legionnaire’s Disease

Year Recognized: 1977, discovered after an outbreak in 1976 among people who went to a Philadelphia Convention of the American Legion

Causative Agent: Legionella bacteria

Mode of Infection: contact with fluids or water droplets

Symptoms: take about 2-14 days to appear

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Headache

• Lethargy

• Malaise

Treatment:

• Antibiotics

• Hospitalization (breathing tubes)

Cyclospora

Year Recognized: 1978, was identified in Papua New Guinea in 1977, British parasitologist, Ashford reported the discovery after finding unidentified coccidia in the feces of three people

Causative Agent: Cyclospora cayatenensis (unicellular parasites)

Mode of infection: contact of fecal matter

Symptoms: symptoms take 1-2 weeks to show up after exposure

• Stomach aches

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Fever

Treatment:

• Medicine/Antibiotics

• Rest and Rehydration

Clostridium difficile- associated disease

Year Recognized: was first identified by Hall and O’Toole in the stool of infants in 1935 but was recognized as a pathogen in 1978 when linked to antibiotic-associated colitis

Causative Agent: C. difficile (bacterium)

Mode of Infection: fecal-oral route

Symptoms: can occur as the 1st day or up tp 3 months later

• Watery diarrhea

• Fever

• Abdominal discomfort

• Nausea

• Loss of appetite

Treatment and Prevention:

• Antibiotics attacking C. difficile directly 

• Fecal microbiota transplantation

• Strict hand hygiene

Methicilin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Year Recognized: 1961 in England by Professor Patricia Jevons. The first recorded outbreak in the USA was in 1968 at Boston City Hospital

Causative Agent: Methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Mode of Infection: Skin Contact

Symptoms: infection can appear 1-10 days after exposure to the bacteria

• Bumps on skin

• Pus on skin

• Fever

• Chest pain

• Cough or shortness of breath

• Headaches

• Rashes 

Treatment

• See doctors to drain abscesses 

• Antibiotics for sever cases

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

Year Recognized: 1982, was first described by Conrad von Gasser and his colleagues in 1955. Outbreaks occurred in many parts of the world; the latest was in Germany in 2011

Causative Agent: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli

Symptoms:

• Vomiting

• Bloody diarrhea (loose stool)

• Stomach pain

• Fever

• Chills

• Headache

• As the infection progresses, persons may experience fatigue, weakness, fainting, bruising, and paleness (begins 5-13 days after the start of diarrhea)

Damages blood vessels, causing low platelets, anemia, kidney failure, permanent health problems, and even death.

Treatment:

is generally treated with medical care in the hospital. Fluid volume management is crucial and may include:

• intravenous (IV) fluids

• Nutritional supplementation through IV or tube feeding

• Blood transfusions
  

Lyme Disease

- Causative agent: Borrelia burgdorferi

- Year recognized: 1982

- Earliest known American case: Cape Rod, 1960

- Spread: Infected tick bites

- Symptoms: Fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, and arthritis (dependent on stage of infection)

- Carrier/s: Black-legged/ Deer Tick (lxodes scapularis) carries infection throughout Northeastern, Mid- Atlantic, and North-central United States

Western Black-legged Tick (lxodes pacificus) carries infection in areas along the Pacific Coast

- Contributing Factors: conditions favoring the tick vector and deer, such as reforestation near homes

- Management and treatment: Antibiotics like Doxycycline, Amoxicillin, or Cefuroxime axetil administered early alongside early diagnosis aid in its prevention and cure.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

- Causative agent: Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1)

- Year recognized: 1983

- Earliest known case: One century ago in southeastern Cameroon, cross-species transmission of SIVcpz from chimpanzees, giving rise to HIV-1 group M

- Spread: Primarily a sexually transmitted disease (sexual, percutaneous, and perinatal/mother-to-child routes); exposure to mucosal surfaces, body fluids of an infected person (blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids)

- Symptoms: May be asymptomatic when first infected; acute HIV infection (Stage 1) progresses over weeks or months to become either chronic or asymptomatic HIV infection (Stage 2) possibly 10 years or longer and may infect others despite lack of noticeable symptoms; untreated HIV infection results in AIDS (Stage 3)

- Contributing factors: migration to cities, global travel, transfusions, organ transplants intravenous drug use, multiple sexual partners

- Management and treatment: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

Gastric Ulcers

- Causative agent: Helicobacter pylori

- Year recognized: 1983

- Earliest known case: 20th century, when the first peptic ulcer was described in an autopsy of a mummy from the Western Han dynasty

- Spread: Direct contact (saliva, vomit stool), contaminated food and water

- Symptoms: Indigestion, pain or discomfort in upper abdomen (between belly button and breastbone), feeling full too soon or uncomfortably full after eating a meal, nausea and vomiting, bloating, and belching

- Management and treatment: Antibiotics like Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin, Metronidazole, Tinidazole, Tetracycline, and Levofloxacin. Acid blockers/reducers like Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Rabeprazol, Esomeprazole, Pantoprazole, Famotidine, Cimetidine and Nizatidine. Endoscopy for bleeding or perforated ulcers.

VRE Infection (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus Infection)

- Causative agent: Enterococcus

- Year recognized: mid-1980s

- Earliest known case: 1986, 30 years after vancomycin was introduced

- Spread: direct contact, fecal shedding, exposure to contaminated surfaces

- Symptoms: dependent on site of infection— infected wounds may be red or tender, urinary tract infection may result in back pain, a burning sensation during urination, or frequent urination; diarrhea, weakness, fevers and chills

- Contributing factors: decades of unnecessary antibiotic usage, nosocomial transmission

- Management and treatment: Antibiotics that are not vancomycin. Most suitable antibiotics are determined through specimens sent to a laboratory.

Hepatitis C

- Causative agent: Hepaciviruses

- Year recognized: 1989

- Earliest known case: 1970s

- Spread: contact with infected blood (shared syringes, blood transfusion with unscreened blood products)

- Symptoms: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

- Contributing factors: undetectable in blood supplies until 1992

- Management and treatment: Antiviral medication Early detection and treatment help prevent serious liver damage.

Salmonellosis (Salmonella poisoning)

- Causative agent: Salmonella serotyp Typhimurium DT104

- Year recognized: early 1990s

- Earliest known case:

- Spread: person-to-person or animal-to-person via the fecal–oral route, through ingestion of the organisms via contaminated or improperly cooked foods

- Symptoms: watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite

- Management and treatment: Frequent rehydration Treatment with anti-diarrhea medication or antibiotics.

HANTAVIRUSPULMONARYSYNDROME

Infectious agent: Hantavirus

Origin: first recognized in the southwestern United States in 1993

Pathogen description: Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses causing clinical illness in humans of varying severity.

Mode of transmission: direct contact with rodents, via their urine, saliva, and bites infected droppings become airborne

Symptoms: develop a cough and shortness of breath, which may become severe within hours fluid collects around the lung, and blood pressure becomes low

Treatment & Management:

• primary - rodent control

• secondary - antiviral drugs such as riboflavin, blood tests

• tertiary - intubation, oxygen therapy, ICU treatment

Mortality rate: causes death in up to about 50% of people

CREUTZFELDTJAKOB DISEASE

Infectious agent: prions

Pathogen description: type of protein that triggers normal proteins in the brain to fold abnormally

Origin: United Kingdom, 1996 originally identified by German neuropathologist Alfons Maria Jakob as he described 6 patients with spasticity and progressive dementia associated with neural degeneration in 1920 another German neuropathologist, Hans Gerhardt Creutzfeldt, independently published a similar case

Mode of transmission: contact through an injection or consuming infected brain or nervous tissue, organ transplant, contaminated equipment

Treatment & Management: no current treatments, but can be relieved by antidepressants and painkillers

Mortality rate: Death occurs in nearly 70% of patients within a year of onset

Symptoms: problems with balance, slurred speech, numbness or pins and needles, dizziness, vision problems, such as double vision

VISA INFECTION

SYMPTOMS:

• skin infections

• abscesses

• pneumonia

• infection in heart valves, bones, or

• blood

Pathogen: VANCOMYCIN INTERMEDIATE STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (VISA)

found on skin and nose grow in wounds adapted to become “antibiotic resistant”

Origin: May 1996 in Japan followed by VISA strains in USA, Europe, and Asia

Mode of Transmission:

• direct contact by hands

• contaminated items and

• environment

• exposure to illness

• no specific time

TARGETS:

• people with underlying health conditions (diabetes and kidney disease)

• recent hospitalizations

• tubes into the body (catheter)

• recent use of vancomycin and other antibiotics

Treatment & management:

• Primary intervention - proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with infected wounds

• Secondary intervention - rapid assessment for the source and possible sites of metastatic infection, with urgent eradication of infectious source(s) 

• Tertiary prevention - FDA approved drugs (not specified)

VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Infectious agent: Strain of Staphylococcus aureus Pathogen description: VRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to vancomycin and can cause a range of infections, from mild skin conditions to life-threatening illnesses.

Origin: United States in 2002 (Identified). The first case of VRSA was reported in Michigan, 2002

Mode of transmission: spreads through direct contact with infected wounds, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces, often in healthcare settings.

Symptoms:

• Skin Infections: Redness, swelling, pain, pus, ulcers

• Sepsis: Fever, chills, low BP, rapid heartbeat, confusion

• Pneumonia: Cough, chest pain, breathlessness, fever

• Bone & Joint Infections: Pain, swelling, stiffness, fever

• UTI: Painful urination, blood in urine, abdominal pain

• Endocarditis: Fatigue, heart murmur, swelling, night sweats

• Severe cases: Organ failure, death

Treatment & Management:

• Primary: Antibiotic stewardship, infection control, hand hygiene, isolation.

• Secondary: Linezolid, daptomycin, tigecycline, antibiotic treatment.

• Tertiary: Intubation, oxygen therapy, ICU care, respiratory failure, septic shock.

Mortality Rate

• Bloodstream infections (sepsis): >50% mortality if untreated

• Pneumonia & Endocarditis: 20-50% mortality

• Overall mortality: 10-30% with appropriate treatment

NIPAH ENCEPHALITIS

Symptoms: 4-14 days

• fever, headache, muscle pain vomiting, sore throat

• brain injury = change behaviour

• eye problem

• memory problem

Pathogen: Nipah virus (niv)

A zoonotic virus through food or direct contact with people Asymptomatic subclinical infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis

Origin: 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysi NiV outbreaks in the Philippines have been recorded in 2014 when 9 out of the 17 NiV patients died due to exposure of infected horses

Where:

• Eastern India

• Cambodia

• Ghana

• Indonesia

• Madagascar

• Philippines

• Thailand

Mode of transmission:

• ecological, and environmental interaction with Fruit bats

• digestion of date palm fruit

• pigs

• humans

• urine or blood, nasal and throat swabs

Treatment: (40-70% PEOPLE WITH NIPAH DIE)

• No specific vaccine

• Only supportive care

• Rest, hydration, treatment to symptoms

• Avoid exposure to sick pigs and bats drinking of raw date palm sap

• Good hand hygiene

SEVERE ACUTERESPIRATORYSYNDROME (SARS)

Infectious agent: SARS-CoV Virus

Pathogen description: SARS-CoV is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus. It belongs to the Coronaviridae family and is closely related to other coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19). The virus primarily infects the respiratory system, causing severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe cases.

Origin: First reported in Guangdong, China (2002). Likely originated from bats, with civet cats as an intermediate host before spreading to humans. The outbreak spread globally, affecting over 8,000 people and causing nearly 800 deaths before being contained in 2003.

Mode of transmission: 

• Droplet transmission: coughing, sneezing, & talking

• Direct contact with infected individuals

• Fomite transmission: touching contaminated surfaces and then touching face, mouth, or eyes

• Aerosol transmission: especially in healthcare settings

Symptoms: Symptoms of SARS include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, and chills. In severe cases, it can lead to chest pain, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Symptoms usually appear 2-7 days after exposure.

Treatment & Management:

• Primary: Isolation, quarantine, hand hygiene, masks

• Secondary: Early diagnosis, supportive care, oxygen therapy, antiviral drugs (e.g., ribavirin)

• Tertiary: Intensive care, mechanical ventilation, rehabilitation, psychological support

Mortality Rate: The mortality rate of SARS is around 9.6%, with higher fatality in older adults (over 50 years old).

Both COVID-19 and SARS are caused by coronaviruses. However, SARS cases were more severe, in general. It’s estimated that 20 to 30 percent of people with SARS require mechanical ventilation. Estimates of the mortality rate of COVID-19 vary greatly depending on factors like location and population characteristics and range between 0.25 and 3 percent.

Chikingunya

Year: 1952

Found/occurred in United Republic of Tanzania

Causative agent: Chikungunya Virus (CHIKVI)

Mode of infection: Mosquito bite

SYMPTOMS:

• joint swelling

• muscle pain

• headache

• nausea

• fatigue

• rash

TREATMENT:

• rest

• fluids

• analgesics &

• antipyretics

CHOLERA

Year: 1854 & 1883

Causative agent: Vibrio Cholerae

Mode of infection: consuming contaminated food or water

SYMPTOMS

• joint swelling

• muscle pain

• headache

• nausea

• fatigue

• rash

TREATMENT

• rest

• fluids

• analgesics &

• antipyretics

Cryptosporidiosis

Year: 1976 & 1907

Causative agent:Cryptosporidium

Mode of infection: consuming contaminated food or water

SYMPTOMS:

• Diarrhea

• Loose/watery stools

• Vomiting

• Weight loss

• Stomach cramps

• Fever

TREATMENT

• Antidiarrheal medicine(Loperamide)

• Nitazoxanide(forparasite)

Dengue Fever

Year: 1950's

Causative agent: Dengue Virus (DENV)

Mode of infection: bite from an Aedes mosquito, passed down by infected mother, transmission from organ donations and transfusion, and blood products.

SYMPTOMS

• Headache

• Muscle, bone or jointpain

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Pain behind the eyes

• Swollen glands

• Rashes

• heightened versions of the symptoms when in severe dengue fever

TREATMENT: Rehydration therapy

Diphtheria

Year: 1821

Causative agent: Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Mode of infection:respiratory droplets (sneezing and coughing), direct contact with contaminated objects

SYMPTOMS:

• Difficulty breathing

• Nasal discharge

• Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck

TREATMENT:

• antibiotics

• active

• Immunization

H5N1 Influenza

Year: 1996

Causative agent: Influenza H5N1 Virus, Or Influenza A Virus (A/H5N1)

Mode of infection: contact of infected bodily fluids (saliva, milk, respiratory droplets, feces), breathing dust particles and contact in the eyes, mouth, and nose

Symptoms:

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Cough

• Muscle ache

• Sore throat

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Stuffy or runny nose

• shortness of breath (dyspnea)

Treatment:

• Antiviral medications

  • Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

  • Peramivir (Rapivab)

  • Zanamivir (Relenza)

• Proper hygiene

• Flu shots

Malaria

Targeted Body Parts: Blood and liver

Causative Agent: Plasmodium species

ex:

• P. falciparum,

• P. vivax,

• P. ovale,

• P. malariae,

• P. knowlesi

ORIGIN

• In 1718, Italian physician Francisco Torti coined the term malaria (meaning "bad air ") based on the old belief that the disease was linked to swamp air.

• In 1880, French army surgeon Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran became the first to discover and report the presence of a parasite in the blood of a malaria patient.

• Malaria is believed to have originated in Africa and has evidence of early cases dating back to 2700 BCE in China, where the disease was documented in medical writings.

Symptoms:

• Fever

• Chills

• Sweating

• Nausea 

• Muscle pain

Mortality Rate: Ranges from 0.3% to 20%, depending on access to treatment and the type of Plasmodium involved. 

Duration: Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks; severe cases may persist longer.

Malaria cases surge by 90% in 2023

DOH Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) showed that about 6,248 cases were recorded in 2023 or 90 percent higher than the 3,245 cases posted in 2022. Of these cases, 11 deaths were reported and still under investigation.

Transmission: 

Vector: Transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE

Antimalarial medicationssuch as chloroquine,artemisinin-based combination therapies(ACTs) Treatment

Preventative measures: the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), and antimalarial prophylaxis for travelers

Management Risk Factors:

• > 5 years old

• Pregnant

• Weakened immune system

• Don’t have access to healthcare

NECROTIZING FASCIITIS WITH MENINGITIS

Targeted Body Parts: Skin, soft tissues, and nervous system (in meningitis)

Causative Agent: Commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) and other bacteria like Clostridium or Bacteroides species.

ORIGIN

• The first case of necrotizing fasciitis was described in France in 1783, with records suggesting that similar infections existed during earlier historical periods involving war wounds and skin injuries.

• A Confederate Army surgeon, Joseph Jones, provided the first modern description of necrotizing fasciitis, thenknown as hospital gangrene.

Risk factors:

• immune suppression

• diabetes

• AIDS

• cancer

• obesity

Symptoms:

• Severe pain at the infection site

• Redness

• Swelling

• Fever

• Confusion and shock

Mortality Rate: Approximately 20-40% depending on timely treatment

Duration: infection progresses rapidly; untreated cases can result in death within days

Transmission: Direct Contact

Direct contact with bacteria through skin wounds or abrasions; meningitis can develop as a secondary infection.

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE

Aggressive surgical debridement of infected tissues. Intravenous antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, clindamycin).

Treatment: Supportive care for meningitis symptoms, such as hydration and pain management.

Management: Amputation is considered when other low-threshold interventions fail or when the necrosis is extensive and life-threatening.

PERTUSSIS

Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system (trachea and bronchi)

Caused by: Bordetella pertussis

ORIGIN: Pertussis, “a violent cough,” also known as whooping cough or “the cough of 100 days”

• Pertussis likely originated in Europe during the 16th century, with the first case officially described in France in 1578.

• However the causative agent or the virus was discovered in 1906. And its first vaccine was developed in 1940

Symptoms include severe coughing fits, "whooping" sound during inhalation, vomiting, and exhaustion.

Mortality Rate: Around 4% in infants without access to care.

Duration: Coughing can persist for 10 weeks or more.

DOH reported the decreasing number of measles and pertussis cases in the Philippines.

Since the start of the year until May 11, the DOH recorded 2,552 measles-rubella (MR) cases. The MR case count on April 14 to April 27 was at 408, or 8 percent lower than the 442 from March 31 to April 13. The MR epidemic curve is showing signs of decrease and only five deaths have been reported, according to the DOH.

Transmission: Direct Contact

Spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE:

• Treatment: Antibiotics such as azithromycin or erythromycin.

• Management: Vaccination with DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) or Tdap for prevention. Supportive care to manage coughing fits.

POLIO (INFANT PARALYSIS)

Targeted Body Parts: Nervous system (spinal cord and brain)

Caused by: Poliovirus, a member of the Enterovirus genus

ORIGIN: Poliomyelitis, commonly shortened to polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus.

• Polio has origins in ancient Egypt, with cases documented in 1400 BCE through depictions of paralysis in hieroglyphics. 

• But the virus was first discovered in nearly a century ago by Karl Landsteiner and Erwin Popper (1909),

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and paralysis in severe cases.

Mortality Rate: Ranges from 5% to 15% in severe cases involving respiratory muscles.

Duration: Paralysis may be permanent; acute symptoms last 1-2 weeks.

According to WHO, the Philippines has been polio-free since 2021. Polio hasn ’t been completely eradicated worldwide, and vaccination is key to preventing its return.

Transmission: Direct/Indirect Contact

Fecal-oral route or via contaminated water and food.

TREATMENT AND  MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE:

Treatment: No cure; supportive therapies focus on relieving symptoms (e.g., physical therapy for paralysis).

Management: Preventative vaccination with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) or oral polio vaccine (OPV).

RABIES

Targeted Body Parts: Nervous system (brain and spinal cord)

Caused by: Rabies lyssavirus (formerly known as the rabies virus), a neurotropic virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family. This virus is characterized by its bullet-shaped structure and single-stranded RNA genome.

ORIGIN: The disease dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 2300 BCE, where it was described in texts as a disease causing madness in animals and humans.

• Rabies deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans.

• It spreads through the nervous system, traveling from the site of infection to the brain, where it causes severe inflammation(encephalitis) and neurological dysfunction.

• Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making early intervention through vaccination critical.

Symptoms: 

• Fever

• Headache

• Excess salivation

• Muscle spasms

• Paralysis

• Hydrophobia 

Mortality rate: nearly 100% once clinical symptoms develop

Duration: once symptoms appear, it progresses rapidly, leading to death with 2-10 days without treatment

Rabies remains a significant public health concern in the Philippines. Recent data indicates a 23% increase in cases, with 354 reported from January 1 to September 14, 2024 (Philippine News Agency, 2024).

This rise underscores the need for enhanced rabies control measures, including mass dog vaccination and public education.

Transmission: Direct Contact

Transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals (e.g., dogs, bats).

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE

Treatment: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine series.

Management: 

• Pre-exposure vaccination for high-risk individuals. 

• Immediate wound cleaning to reduce viral load at the infection site.

RIFT VALLEY FEVER (RVF)

Targeted Body Parts: Liver and vascular system

Caused by: Rift Valley Fever is caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), which belongs to the Phenuiviridae family within the Bunyavirales order. This virus is an enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus.

ORIGIN

• Rift Valley Fever primarily affects livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle, causing high mortality in young animals and significant economic losses. However, it also poses a serious health threat to humans, especially those in close contact with infected animals or exposed to mosquito vectors.

• RVF was first identified in 1931 during a livestock outbreak in Kenya.

Symptoms:

• Mild flu-like symptoms

• Severe cases can lead to hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or liver damage

Mortality rate: less than 1% in general cases but up to 50% in severe hemorrhagic cases and encephalitic cases

Duration: symptoms typically last 4-7 days, severe cases may last longer

As of February 19, 2025, there have been no reported outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the Philippines. RVF is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, with occasional cases in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that RVF outbreaks have been reported in sub-Saharan Africa, with a major outbreak occurring in Egypt in 1977.

Additionally, the virus has not been detected in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

Transmission: Indirect/Direct Contact

Spread by mosquitoes (e.g., Aedes, Culex species) or contact with infected animal fluids or tissues.

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE

Treatment: No specific treatment; supportive care to manage symptoms such as fever and liver complications.

Management: Preventative measures include vector control and vaccination of livestock.

RUBEOLA commonly known as measles

Rubeola is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the Morbillivirus (measles virus).

Spread through respiratory droplets from coughing,sneezing, or direct contact with an infected person. The virus can also remain in the air or on surfaces for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves an area. It is believed to have originated from a zoonotic transmission; the closest relative of the measles virus is the rinderpest virus - Est. Origin around 6th Century BCE. In the 9th century, Rhazes (Al-Razi), a Persian doctor, published one of the first written accounts of measles disease – making measles an already recognized distinct disease (First Recognized Case)

Symptoms: 

7-14 days after infection: first symptoms show:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104°)

• 3 Cs

  • Cough

  • Coryza (Runny nose)

  • Conjunctivitis (Red, watery eyes)

2–3 days after symptoms begin: Koplik spots (tiny white spots in the mouth)

3–5 days after symptoms begin: measles rash

(NOTE) The child is contagious: 

• 1 to 2 days before the onset of symptoms

• 3 to 5 days after the rash develops

Since it is a viral infection, there is no cure for measles.

Supportive care:

Fever Reducers: such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for fever (Do not give Aspirin) Vitamin A

Vaccination:

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

(MMR) Vaccine:

First dose: 12-15 months

Second dose: 4-6 years

In 2023, an estimated 10.3 million people were infected with measles. In which 107500 people died - mostly children under the age of five years

In 2024, BARMM reported 1,481 measles cases as of March 16, accounting for more than half of the 2,661 cases nationwide.

SCHISTOSOMIASIS commonly known as bilharziasis

Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma. It is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that primarily affects people in tropical and subtropical regions, especially those with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

It was first identified in 1851 by Theodor Bilharz, a German physician, in Cairo, Egypt. He discovered that Schistosoma haematobium, a parasitic worm, was the cause of hematuria (blood in urine) that was commonly observed among the local fellaheen population. This is the beginning of the scientific understanding of schistosomiasis, though the disease itself is much older. In fact, eggs of S. haematobium have been found in ancient Egyptian mummies dating as far back as 1250 B.C., indicating that schistosomiasis has affected humans for thousands of years.

Schistosomiasis is transmitted when people come into contact with freshwater contaminated with parasite larvae from infected freshwater snails. The larvae penetrate the skin and develop into adult schistosomes within the body. Inside the human body, the larvae develop into adult schistosomes, which reside in blood vessels. Female schistosomes release eggs, some of which are excreted in faeces or urine, continuing the parasite's life cycle. Others become trapped in body tissues, leading to immune responses and organ damage.

Symptoms:

• In the early phase, most people have no symptoms, but some may develop: a rash or itchy skin.

• After 1 to 2 months, fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, and fatigue can occur.

• Repeated infections, especially in children, can cause anemia, malnutrition, and learning difficulties.

• If untreated, schistosomiasis can lead to chronic symptoms, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, liver enlargement, and even bladder cancer.

Treatment and Management:

• It is treated with the prescription medication praziquantel (Biltricide®). The drug belongs to a class of medications which kills worms called anthelmintics.

• The WHO strategy for schistosomiasis control focuses on reducing disease through periodic, targeted treatment with praziquantel through the large-scale treatment (preventive chemotherapy) of affected populations.

• To prevent schistosomiasis, contact with contaminated water infested with snail larvae must be avoided.

(WHO) estimated that approximately 11,792 deaths occur annually due to schistosomiasis. However, other studies suggest higher mortality rates, with some estimates indicating over 200,000 deaths per year, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, estimates show that at least 251.4 million people required preventive treatment in 2021.

It is endemic in 28 out of the country’s 81 provinces. It is estimated that 12.4 million Filipinos live in endemic communities, with 2.7 million of them directly exposed to contaminated waters. In 2021, schistosomiasis was responsible for an estimated DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Year) of 22,300 people, reflecting the overall burden of the disease in terms of both premature death and long-term disability.

TRYPANOSOMIASIS commonly known as sleeping sickness

It is a vector-borne parasitic disease. It is caused by protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma, transmitted to humans by bites of tsetse flies (glossina) which have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals. There are two main forms of the disease in humans: Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)(sleeping sickness) and Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis).

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, found in 24 countries of west and central Africa, currently accounts for 92%of reported cases and causes a chronic illness.

• A person can be infected for months or even years without major signs or symptoms. 

• When evident symptoms emerge, often the disease is advanced with the central nervous system already affected.

Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, found in 13 countries of eastern and southern Africa accounts for 8% of reported cases and causes an acute disease.

• First signs and symptoms emerge a few weeks or months after infection.

• The disease develops rapidly with multi-organ invasion, including the brain.

Symptoms:

The disease progresses in two stages: 

First Stage (Haemo-lymphatic phase):

1.  Parasites multiply in the blood, lymph, and subcutaneous tissue.

• Symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and itching.

Second Stage (Meningo-encephalitic phase):

2.  Parasites invade the central nervous system.

• Symptoms include behavioral changes, confusion, poor coordination, sensory disturbances, and sleep cycle disruption.

Treatment and Management:

First Stage (Haemo-lymphatic phase):

• Pentamidine (for T. b. gambiense)

• Suramin (for T. b. rhodesiense)

Second Stage (Meningo-encephalitic phase):

• Melarsoprol (for both T. b. gambiense and T. b. Rhodesiense; arsenic-based, toxic)

• Eflornithine (for T. b. Gambiense; less toxic than melarsoprol)

• NECT (Nifurtimox-Eflornithine Combination Therapy, preferred for T. b. gambiense)

• Fexinidazole (new oral drug, effective for both types of HAT, available for both stages)

Over 60 million people are at risk, but global cases have significantly dropped, with less than 1,000 cases reported annually (as of 2022).

Sleeping sickness needs to be recognized as one of the potentially fatal endemic Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Ethiopia and should be integrated into the National NTD roadmap.

It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, with no reported cases in the Philippines.

TUBERCULOSIS (TB)

TB is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that most often affects the lungs.

It is estimated to have existed in East Africa for around 3 million years, possibly infecting early hominids. In 1865, Jean-Antoine Villemin proved TB was contagious, and in 1882, Robert Koch identified the causative bacterium. Effective TB treatment began in the 1940s– 1950s with the discovery of streptomycin (1944) and isoniazid (1952) - the start of modern TB control.

Latent TB infection (LTBI) occurs when M. tuberculosis is present in the body but does not cause symptoms or spread. However, if left untreated, it may progress to active TB disease. TB disease is contagious and spreads through airborne droplet nuclei released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These tiny particles (1–5 microns) can remain in the air for hours, increasing the risk of infection.

Symptoms:

• Factors, conditions, and comorbidities such as diabetes, tobacco use, malnourishment and a weakened immune system increase susceptibility to

• TB disease.

• Symptoms depend on the part of the body in which TB becomes active: 

  • Prolonged cough w/ mucus/blood in mucus

  • Chest pain

  • Weakness

  • Fatigue, Weight loss

  • Fever

  • Night sweats

• If TB spreads to other parts such as glands, bones, or the brain, other symptoms may show such as:

  • Swollen glands and/or joints/ankles

  • Headache

  • Constipation, abdominal pain

Treatment and Management:

Both TB disease and latent TB infection (LTBI) require treatment with special antibiotics, commonly including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, moxifloxacin, and rifapentine. Treatment involves multiple drugs taken in combination over a set period.

Treatment Regimens:

• Active TB (Drug-Susceptible

• Pulmonary TB):

• Latent TB Infection (LTBI):

• Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB):

A total of 1.25 million people died from tuberculosis (TB) in 2023 (including 161,000 people with HIV). Worldwide

In 2023, an estimated 10.8 million people fell ill with TB worldwide, including 6.0 million men, 3.6 million women and 1.3 million children.

In 2010, TB was the 6th leading cause of mortality with a rate of 26.3 deaths for every 100,000 population and accounts for 5.1% of total deaths. This is slightly lower than the five-year average of 28.6 deaths per 100,000 population. More males died (17,103) compared to females (7,611)

It is higher among the malnourished and diabetics.

WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV)

West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis is an infectious encephalitis or inflammation of the brain caused by West Nile virus.

It was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. It was identified in birds (crows and columbiformes) in the Nile delta region in 1953 (World Health Organization: WHO, 2017).

It is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito which is transferred mainly between pigeons and crows. The virus is not transmitted from person to person although there are a small proportion of reported cases where transmission has followed organ transplantation, breast-feeding and blood transfusion.

Symptoms:

Persons infected with WNV Encephalitis are predominantly asymptomatic or have a mild illness, including abrupt onset of fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizure, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis. Recovery from severe illness may be prolonged.

Treatment and Management: 

Treatment is supportive for patients with neuro-invasive West Nile virus encephalitis:

hospitalization, intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and prevention of secondary infections.

The simplest preventative measure is to avoid bites from the mosquitoes that carry the virus. For further protection use an insect spray containing at least 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-methyl benzamide) and sleep under bed nets.

No vaccine is available for humans.

As of January 15, 2025, the WNV has already become endemic to the US and other countries likely due to global travel. A total of 1466 cases were reported for the whole year of 2024, and 1063 of these cases are due to West Nile Neuroinvasive disease or Encephalitis.

In January 2024, the Regional Dengue Disease Surveillance Report presented that Mosquito-borne diseases, which include the West Nile Virus Encephalitis, were reported in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). A total of 5,971 persons were affected in 376 barangays in Cthe ordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

YELLOW FEVER

Its causative agents are the arbovirus of the flavivirus genera through vectors Aedes aegypti and Haemagogus mosquitoes.

It originated in Africa where in some countries it is endemic today, and would be introduced and first described in the mid-sixteenth century in Yucatán, Mexico in the 16th century by the trading of slaves from endemic African countries into countries of the Western region of America.

It is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, primarily Aedes and Haemagogus species, which are most active during the day. An infected person in the viremic phase can act as a reservoir, allowing mosquitoes that bite them to become carriers of the virus. In rare cases, It can also be transmitted through blood transfusion or organ transplantation from an infected donor.

Symptoms:

Most people infected do not experience symptoms during the 3–6 day incubation period. When symptoms do appear, they typically include:

fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, and muscle pain.

In mild cases:

sudden fever and headache without additional complications.

However, some individuals develop high fever (up to 40°C), severe headaches, lower back pain, and anorexia.

In about 15% of cases, it progresses into a toxic phase within 24 hours of initial recovery, affecting multiple organs such as the liver and kidneys. Unfortunately, 50% of patients in this phase die within 7–10 days.

Treatment and Management:

There is no known medicine to treat yellow fever. Clinical management is supportive and only symptoms can be treated by taking antipyretics and analgesics to reduce pain and inflammation. Associated bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Other than that, patients should rest, and drink fluids.

This can be prevented through:

• vaccination (single dose only )

• Vector control and using

• pesticides

• There are 200,000 cases of yellow fever every year worldwide, resulting in 30,000 deaths.

• As of 2023, 34 countries in Africa and 13 countries in Central and South America are either endemic for, or have regions that are endemic for, yellow fever

• There is no risk of yellow fever in the Philippines.

Pandemic Influenza

• Description: Global outbreak of flu caused by a new strain of the influenza A virus.

• Origin: Not specified; often from animals.

• Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system.

• Mode of Transmission: Airborne, direct contact.

• Symptoms: Fever, cough, nausea, fatigue.

• Treatment: Antiviral medications, hydration, rest.

West Nile Infection

• Description: Mosquito-borne viral disease causing flu-like symptoms and possible neurological complications.

• Origin: Northern Uganda, 1937.

• Targeted Body Parts: Central nervous system.

• Mode of Transmission: Mosquito bites from infected birds.

• Symptoms: Many have no symptoms, some develop febrile illness, others a severe neuro-invasive disease.

• Treatment: Supportive care, rest, flu medications.

Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever

• Description: Severe viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus.

• Origin: Germany and Serbia, 1967.

• Targeted Body Parts: Blood vessels and organs.

• Mode of Transmission: Zoonotic; contact with infected bodily fluids.

• Symptoms: High fever, hemorrhaging, organ failure.

• Treatment: Supportive care; no specific antiviral treatment.

Lassa Fever

• Description: Viral hemorrhagic illness from the Lassa virus.

• Origin: Nigeria, 1969.

• Targeted Body Parts: Various organs.

• Mode of Transmission: Contact with rodent urine, direct human contact.

• Symptoms: Fever, sore throat, vomiting, severe cases bleed.

• Treatment: Ribavirin; no licensed vaccine.

Salmonellosis

• Description: Bacterial infection causing gastrointestinal illness from Salmonella spp.

• Origin: US and Europe, prior to 1976.

• Targeted Body Parts: Gastrointestinal tract.

• Mode of Transmission: Contaminated food/water and direct contact.

• Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps.

• Treatment: Hydration; antibiotics not usually necessary.

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever

• Description: Severe viral infection with high fatality rates.

• Origin: Zaire (now DRC) and Sudan, 1976.

• Targeted Body Parts: Organs, particularly in the blood system.

• Mode of Transmission: Contact with bodily fluids.

• Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, vomiting, bleeding.

• Treatment: Supportive care, IV fluids.

Legionnaire’s Disease

• Description: Bacterial pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.

• Origin: Recognized in 1977, linked to a convention outbreak in 1976.

• Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system.

• Mode of Transmission: Inhalation of contaminated water droplets.

• Symptoms: Fever, headache, malaise.

• Treatment: Antibiotics and hospitalization as needed.

Cyclospora

• Description: Intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora parasites.

• Origin: Identified in 1978.

• Targeted Body Parts: Gastrointestinal tract.

• Mode of Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated food/water.

• Symptoms: Diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea.

• Treatment: Antibiotics.

Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease

• Description: Infection resulting in colitis due to C. difficile bacteria.

• Origin: Initially identified in 1935, recognized as a pathogen in 1978.

• Targeted Body Parts: Intestinal tract.

• Mode of Transmission: Fecal-oral route.

• Symptoms: Watery diarrhea, nausea, fever.

• Treatment: Antibiotics and fecal transplants.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

• Description: Antibiotic-resistant skin infection.

• Origin: Identified in 1961, widely spread from 1968 in the USA.

• Targeted Body Parts: Skin and potentially other systems if systemic.

• Mode of Transmission: Skin-to-skin contact.

• Symptoms: Skin bumps, possible severe symptoms.

• Treatment: Drainage of abscesses, antibiotics for severe cases.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

• Description: Complication from E. coli infection leading to kidney failure.

• Origin: Described in 1982.

• Targeted Body Parts: Kidneys, blood vessels.

• Mode of Transmission: Contaminated food/water.

• Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, fatigue, possible kidney failure.

• Treatment: Hospital care for fluid balance, blood transfusions as needed.

Lyme Disease

• Description: Tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.

• Origin: Recognized in 1982, earliest known case from 1960.

• Targeted Body Parts: Skin, joints, nervous system.

• Mode of Transmission: Infected ticks.

• Symptoms: Rash, fever, joint pain.

• Treatment: Antibiotics.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

• Description: Chronic condition caused by HIV.

• Origin: Recognized in 1983, first cases were in the early 20th century.

• Targeted Body Parts: Immune system.

• Mode of Transmission: Bodily fluids, sexual contact, childbirth.

• Symptoms: Vary widely; chronic infection leading to opportunistic infections.

• Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Gastric Ulcers

• Description: Peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori.

• Origin: First identified in 1983.

• Targeted Body Parts: Stomach lining.

• Mode of Transmission: Oral/fecal contact, contaminated food.

• Symptoms: Abdominal pain, nausea, bloating.

• Treatment: Antibiotics and acid blockers.

VRE Infection (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Infection)

• Description: Infection by Enterococcus bacteria resistant to vancomycin.

• Origin: Mid-1980s.

• Targeted Body Parts: Various; urinary, blood, and wound infections.

• Mode of Transmission: Direct contact, fecal shedding.

• Symptoms: Dependent on site, may include fever, pain.

• Treatment: Non-vancomycin antibiotics.

Hepatitis C

• Description: Viral liver infection caused by Hepaciviruses.

• Origin: Identified in 1989.

• Targeted Body Parts: Liver.

• Mode of Transmission: Blood-to-blood contact.

• Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain.

• Treatment: Antiviral medications.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

• Description: Serious illness caused by rodent-borne hantaviruses.

• Origin: First recognized in 1993.

• Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system.

• Mode of Transmission: Rodent contact and aerosolized droppings.

• Symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, and respiratory distress.

• Treatment: Supportive care, intensive care for severe cases.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

• Description: Rare degenerative brain disorder caused by prions.

• Origin: UK, identified in 1996.

• Targeted Body Parts: Brain.

• Mode of Transmission: Ingestion of infected tissue or through contamination.

• Symptoms: Rapid onset dementia, balance problems.

• Treatment: No current cure, only symptom management.

Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (VRSA)

• Description: Strain of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to vancomycin.

• Origin: USA, identified in 2002.

• Targeted Body Parts: Skin and other body parts.

• Mode of Transmission: Direct contact.

• Symptoms: Skin infections, sepsis.

• Treatment: Alternative antibiotics, intensive care as needed.

Nipah Encephalitis

• Description: Zoonotic virus causing severe disease in humans.

• Origin: 1999, outbreak in Malaysia.

• Targeted Body Parts: Brain.

• Mode of Transmission: Contact with infected bats, pigs, and humans.

• Symptoms: Fever, headache, respiratory issues, and encephalitis.

• Treatment: Supportive care; no specific vaccine.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

• Description: Respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV.

• Origin: Guangdong, China, 2002.

• Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system.

• Mode of Transmission: Airborne droplets.

• Symptoms: Fever, cough, difficulty breathing.

• Treatment: Supportive care, isolation, oxygen therapy.

Chikungunya

• Description: Viral disease causing fever and joint pain.

• Origin: United Republic of Tanzania, 1952.

• Targeted Body Parts: Joints, muscles.

• Mode of Transmission: Mosquito bites.

• Symptoms: Joint pain, fatigue, rash.

• Treatment: Rest, fluids, pain relief.

Cholera

• Description: Bacterial illness caused by Vibrio cholerae.

• Origin: First described in the 19th century.

• Targeted Body Parts: Intestinal tract.

• Mode of Transmission: Contaminated water/food.

• Symptoms: Severe diarrhea, dehydration.

• Treatment: Rehydration, antibiotics as necessary.

Cryptosporidiosis

• Description: Intestinal infection caused by Cryptosporidium parasites.

• Origin: Identified in 1976.

• Targeted Body Parts: Intestinal tract.

• Mode of Transmission: Contaminated water.

• Symptoms: Diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss.

• Treatment: Antidiarrheal medicine as needed.

Dengue Fever

• Description: Mosquito-borne viral infection causing flu-like symptoms.

• Origin: 1950s.

• Targeted Body Parts: Vascular system.

• Mode of Transmission: Aedes mosquito bites.

• Symptoms: Fever, muscle pains, rashes.

• Treatment: Rehydration, supportive care.

Diphtheria

• Description: Bacterial infection causing respiratory symptoms.

• Origin: Described in 1821.

• Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system.

• Mode of Transmission: Respiratory droplets.

• Symptoms: Difficulties breathing, sore throat.

• Treatment: Antibiotics, vaccination.

H5N1 Influenza

• Description: Avian flu caused by H5N1 virus.

• Origin: 1996.

• Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system.

• Mode of Transmission: Contact with infected birds/human fluids.

• Symptoms: Fever, cough, conjunctivitis.

• Treatment: Antiviral medications, supportive care.

Malaria

• Description: Parasitic disease causing fever and chills.

• Origin: Believed to have originated in Africa, with historical documentation.

• Targeted Body Parts: Blood, liver.

• Mode of Transmission: Anopheles mosquito bites.

• Symptoms: Fever, chills, anemia.

• Treatment: Antimalarial drugs, preventative measures.

Necrotizing Fasciitis with Meningitis

• Description: Severe bacterial skin infection with possible neurological effects.

• Origin: Recognized in historical military medicine; modern descriptions since 1783.

• Targeted Body Parts: Skin, tissues.

• Mode of Transmission: Direct contact with bacteria.

• Symptoms: Severe pain, swelling, fever.

• Treatment: Surgical debridement, IV antibiotics.

Pertussis

• Description: Highly contagious respiratory disease (whooping cough).

• Origin: Described in 1578.

• Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system.

• Mode of Transmission: Respiratory droplets.

• Symptoms: Severe coughing fits, "whoop" sound.

• Treatment: Antibiotics, vaccination.

Polio

• Description: Infectious disease caused by poliovirus; leads to paralysis.

• Origin: Documented in ancient Egypt.

• Targeted Body Parts: Nervous system.

• Mode of Transmission: Fecal-oral route.

• Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, paralysis.

• Treatment: Supportive care; vaccination for prevention.

Rabies

• Description: Viral disease causing severe inflammation of the brain.

• Origin: Ancient Mesopotamia.

• Targeted Body Parts: Nervous system.

• Mode of Transmission: Animal bites or scratches.

• Symptoms: Fever, paralysis, hydrophobia.

• Treatment: PEP with rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

• Description: Viral disease primarily affecting livestock but transmissible to humans.

• Origin: Identified in Kenya in 1931.

• Targeted Body Parts: Liver and vascular system.

• Mode of Transmission: Mosquito bites or contact with infected animal fluids.

• Symptoms: Mild flu-like symptoms, severe hemorrhagic cases.

• Treatment: Supportive; prevention through vector control.

Rubeola (Measles)

• Description: Highly contagious viral infection.

• Origin: Historical observations as far back as the 6th Century BCE.

• Targeted Body Parts: Respiratory system.

• Mode of Transmission: Respiratory droplets.

• Symptoms: High fever, cough, rash.

• Treatment: Supportive care; prevention through vaccination.

Schistosomiasis

• Description: Parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma flukes.

• Origin: Identified in 1851.

• Targeted Body Parts: Various organs.

• Mode of Transmission: Freshwater exposure contaminated with larvae.

• Symptoms: Often asymptomatic; chronic cases can lead to serious complications.

• Treatment: Praziquantel medication.

Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)

• Description: Parasitic disease transmitted by tsetse flies.

• Origin: Chronic forms identified in the late 19th and early 20th century.

• Targeted Body Parts: Nervous system.

• Mode of Transmission: Tsetse fly bites.

• Symptoms: Fever, headache, neurological signs.

• Treatment: Different drugs depending on disease stage.

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Description: Infectious disease primarily targeting the lungs.

• Origin: Historically believed to have existed for millions of years.

• Targeted Body Parts: Lungs; can spread to other organs.

• Mode of Transmission: Airborne droplets.

• Symptoms: Cough, weight loss, fatigue.

• Treatment: Combination of antibiotics over an extended period.

Yellow Fever

• Description: Viral disease with potential for severe illness.

• Origin: Recognized in the 17th century in the Americas.

• Targeted Body Parts: Liver and other organs.

• Mode of Transmission: Mosquito bites.

• Symptoms: Fever, chills, loss of appetite, in severe cases, organ failure.

• Treatment: Supportive care; prevention primarily through vaccination.