Escherichia coli О157:H7
Probably everyone remembers the famous Jack-in-the-Box epidemic, when death and illness resulted from eating undercooked burgers infected with animal excrement. The contaminated hamburgers resulted in a multistate E. coli food-borne outbreak of severe bloody diarrhea and kidney failure, which was particularly lethal to several children, with over 500 people becoming seriously ill. A recent infection found in apple juice (apparently the result of cows defecating in areas under trees where windfall apples are picked up for juice) caused one death and hundreds of illnesses in the Pacific Northwest. While E. coli organisms continue to pose threats to humans, recent findings indicate that simple changes in the way cattle are fed prior to slaughter may reduce risks. By eliminating grain in the diet of these cattle, E. coli bacteria tend to die in cattle stomachs, thus reducing risks of meat-borne illnesses.
Cholera
Cholera, an infectious disease transmitted through fecal contamination of foods or water supplies, has been extremely rare in the United States for most of this century. Recent epidemic outbreaks in the Western Hemisphere (over 900,000 cases), however, have started to affect the United States. During a 25-year period from 1965 to 1991, only 136 reported cases were recorded in the United States. In the 2-year period from 1992 to 1994, the CDC identified 160 cases in 20 states, with the majority in California, Nevada, and Texas. Most of these cases involved members of ethnic minority groups (Hispanic and Asian) who had traveled to or from Latin America or Asia. Even more alarming is that nearly 74 percent of those affected were resistant to standard antibiotic treatment. One theory of how cholera is introduced into distant regions of the world is that ships from endemic areas release contaminated bilge water into port towns, contaminating local shellfish. Efforts to control cholera may be increasingly difficult as international travel and trade increase.
Hantavirus
Transmitted via rodent feces, this virus was responsible for many deaths in the desert southwestern United States in 1994 before experts were able to identify the culprit. Victims were believed to have come into contact with this organism through breathing the virus-laden dust created in rodent-infested homes. Within hours, victims showed serious symptoms as their lungs filled with fluid, they experienced respiratory collapse, and died. Today, cases of hantavirus have been noted in over 20 states, and vaccines are being developed to counteract it.
Listeriosis
Caused by a potent bacterium found in plants and animals, listeria has proved fatal in many cases in recent years. Early symptoms begin with mild or low fever and progress to headache and inflammation of the brain. Those who are immuno-compromised are at greatest risk. Foods that are improperly cooked or that don’t require cooking (such as luncheon meats) are particularly susceptible.
Malaria
In the 1950s and 1960s, after massive international efforts, malaria, a vector-borne disease transmitted by the anopheles mosquito, seemed to be on the decline. However, today there has been a major resurgence of malaria outbreaks, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Currently, the malaria prevention effort is focused on personal protection against bites rather than elimination of mosquitoes.
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