Zoonosis

A recent article by Charlie Furniss (p.1) revealed that an estimated 73% of new human diseases may have zoonotic causes. These diseases include Ebola, HIV, etc. The growing body of work available for the topic includes the CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases website http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/index.htm and academic journals. Traditionally disease has been spread by fleas (Black Death) and mosquitoes (Yellow Fever) but new diseases have developed that has changed this pattern. The Machupo virus was shown to have been spread by the urine of hamsters.

Diamond talked about the way disease has spread throughout history. It is believed that Black Death and smallpox were started in China and transferred to the West. I find this topic to be quiet interesting when I look at what a epidemic can accomplish that war never could. Without disease destroying the native population of the Western Hemisphere in waves the natives could have destroyed the Spanish Conquistadors.

Catching diseases... By: Furniss, Charlie, Geographical, 0016741X, Apr2006, Vol. 78, Issue 4