The Monsters Out Of The Cage - Part 2
In the first part of this series, we delved into the history of the world’s deadliest and most infamous monsters – diseases that were once contained within borders by strict quarantine measures, but are now spreading far beyond them. In this second part, we will explore how some of these monsters – such as tuberculosis, Ebola and Zika – were released from their respective cages, and the measures that experts are taking to contain them.
Tuberculosis: One of the Deadliest Diseases to Resurface
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest diseases known to humankind, with an estimated 10 million people falling ill with it in 2018 alone. TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also invade other parts of the body.
TB is usually transmitted when a person with the disease coughs or sneezes, expelling droplets containing the bacteria into the air. The disease was once a major cause of death around the world, but in the early 20th century, it was largely controlled by effective public health measures and new antibiotics.
However, in recent years, TB has resurfaced, with outbreaks in many parts of the world, including in India, Russia, and parts of Africa. The resurgence of TB is due to several factors, including inadequate access to healthcare, antimicrobial resistance and migration.
Drug-resistant TB is particularly concerning, with some strains being almost impossible to treat, and millions of cases are going undiagnosed each year, posing a major threat to global health.
Zika: From Obscurity to Global Crisis
When Zika virus first appeared in 1947 in the Zika Forest of Uganda, few people gave it much thought. The virus, which is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, typically causes mild fever and rash in adults but was rarely linked to severe complications, such as microcephaly, until it emerged in Brazil in 2015.
The outbreak in Brazil quickly turned into an epidemic, with millions of people infected and babies born with microcephaly – a condition where the brain doesn’t develop properly – and other birth defects.
The World Health Organization declared the Zika outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2016. Although the global response to the outbreak was swift, the disease has spread to other regions, including Asia and Africa.
With no cure or vaccine available, the only way to control Zika is through mosquito control measures and public health education.
Ebola: A Deadly Outbreak That Shook the World
Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus causes severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates, with a mortality rate of up to 90%.
The disease was typically confined to Central Africa, but in 2014, a massive outbreak swept through West Africa, claiming over 11,000 lives across Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The outbreak exposed serious shortcomings in the global health system and highlighted the urgent need to improve disease surveillance, preparedness, and response.
Since the West African outbreak, there have been several smaller Ebola outbreaks in Congo and surrounding countries, including a recent outbreak in the city of Mbandaka that threatened to spread to other parts of the country and neighboring countries.
Containment Measures: The Way Forward
Containment measures are essential in controlling the spread of infectious diseases. In the case of TB, improving access to healthcare and early diagnosis are crucial in reducing the burden of the disease. TB screening and treatment should be incorporated into routine healthcare, and new drugs and vaccines should be developed to combat drug-resistant strains.
In the case of Zika, measures aimed at controlling mosquito populations, such as insecticide spraying, larvicide treatments and removing breeding sites, can help reduce the risk of transmission. Public health education is also crucial in increasing awareness of the risks associated with Zika and how to prevent it.
In the case of Ebola, early detection and treatment of cases, rapid response, and contact tracing are essential in containing the spread of the virus. Health workers and communities need to be educated on how to protect themselves from infection. Vaccination provides an additional tool for preventing the spread of Ebola outbreaks.
Beyond these individual measures, there is a need for better coordination and communication among countries and international organizations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Early warning systems, disease surveillance, and response mechanisms must be in place to prevent a repeat of the West African Ebola outbreak.
Conclusion
Infectious diseases are a major threat to public health, with many of the world’s deadliest diseases having the potential to spread far beyond their borders. While the release of these monsters from their cages is a cause for concern, the situation is not hopeless.
Improved disease surveillance, early detection and treatment, and the development of new drugs and vaccines can help us control the spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, increased public awareness and the implementation of effective prevention and control measures can help us keep dangerous diseases contained and prevent future global crises.
As we have seen, there is no room for complacency when it comes to infectious diseases. We need to act fast, learn from past mistakes, and work together to build stronger health systems that can protect us from the monsters in our midst.