Faculty Publications and Presentations

Publication Date

7-2021

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Biology | Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

New and reemerging diseases are terrifying and concerning problems. Not only do they carry a financial and emotional toll, but they account for significant numbers of death. Emerging diseases are usually zoonotic and highly virulent in nature. These are pathogenic and parasitic diseases of high consequence and impact. Why would a good Creator allow these new diseases? Why do new diseases keep popping up? Mutation and displacement of original types of microbes account for many new diseases; however, the answer is more complex than just these two factors. Zoonoses are the most common type of infection, specifically from viral pathogens, bacteria, and parasites. Some of the more notable recent emerging diseases are COVID-19, Lyme Disease, and Giardiasis. An example of a disease that is not zoonotic is smallpox. In some locations, more malaria infections are “jumping” from monkeys to man. The displacement of microbes from their originally designed place in animals and the transfer to humans explain many of the world’s pandemics, plagues, and pestilences. Some goals of this article are to explain the concepts of displacement, mutation, and “One Health” while solving the riddle of pandemics, plagues, and pestilences. We will examine the relationship between humans, microbes, and animals and explore the principles of new and reemerging diseases by giving a few examples.

Download

Share

COinS