Containing Infectious Diseases Today

Prevention and Control of the Flu The flu is a serious illness but one of its great advantages is that a vaccine does exist to contain its spread and prevent or at least mitigate its symptoms. The flu is a virus and available antiviral medications like Tamiflu are not as effective as treating, for example, a bacterial infection with an antibiotic. The most effective method of treating the flu is to not get it at all -- which is why vaccination is so essential.

However, even flu vaccinations are not particularly effective on a seasonal basis: "A flu virus mutates at an exceptionally high rate as it reproduces, and some mutations will change the tips of the surface proteins. The antibodies cannot grab tightly to the altered tips, so the virus is able to proceed with its invasion. From one flu season to the next, the evolution of the flu renders last season's vaccine useless" (Zimmer 2013). The flu vaccine is not always a good match for the season's current strain.

The mutability of the flu means that it is particularly dangerous when unique strains surface, such as that of H1N1 (so called 'swine flu' because of its origin) in 2009. Although this virus did not become a pandemic, the risk was there "because it was so new, people's immune systems might also be unable to stop the virus" and scientists had trouble creating an effective vaccine and distributing it to the public (Zimmer 2013).

The flu is not an identified bioterrorism risk but a flu pandemic can substantially hamper a nation's productivity. Even if a vaccine is created, distribution can be challenging. The U.S., despite its considerable resources, struggled with H1N1 vaccine shortages and a developing world nation would have even greater challenges in the face of an unexpected pandemic due to a mutated virus.

Topic C: Helminth or other non-malaria parasitic infections "It is estimated that over a third of the world's population, mainly those individuals living in the tropics and sub-tropics, are infected by parasitic helminths (worms) or one or more of the species of Plasmodium" (Mwangi, Bethony, & Brooker 2006). The developing world is at particular risk due to poor hygienic practices and sanitation. Because of infrastructure problems within the developing world in terms of adequate sanitation, worms remain one of the most difficult vectors of infection to eradicate.

It has been noted that prevalence of infection is often household-specific, indicating the extent to which proper sanitation practices can raise one's risk. Low education levels are associated with a higher risk of infection. Education regarding the use of mosquito nets to guard against malaria and other precautions is essential, either via the government, or if that is not feasible, then international public health relief agencies. Infection risk for helminths varies widely depending on location.

For example, "recent analysis using geographical information systems suggests that of the three main soil-transmitted helminth (STH) species, hookworm is more geographically widespread, occurring throughout much of SSA compared to A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura which are typically restricted.