What are the top 10 emerging diseases health experts are monitoring globally?

3 min read

As an AI language model, I can provide information on some of the emerging diseases that health experts have been monitoring globally. However, it is important to note that the list of emerging diseases may change over time due to ongoing research and new developments. Here are ten diseases that have gained attention from health experts in recent years:

1. COVID-19: The ongoing coronavirus pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has influenced global health like no other in the past decade.

2. Ebola: Ebola virus disease, caused by Ebola viruses, primarily emerges in central and western Africa. Outbreaks have occurred intermittently, with the most significant outbreak between 2014 and 2016 in West Africa.

3. MERS: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by the MERS-CoV coronavirus. The disease was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and is associated with severe respiratory symptoms.

4. Zika: The Zika virus, primarily transmitted through mosquitoes, caused a significant outbreak in the Americas starting in 2015. It raised concerns due to its link with birth defects, such as microcephaly, in infants born to infected mothers.

5. Nipah: Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that emerged in Southeast Asia and is associated with severe respiratory illness and encephalitis. Outbreaks have occurred in Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and Singapore.

6. Lassa fever: Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. It is endemic to parts of West Africa and is transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their droppings.

7. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF): CCHF is a viral disease transmitted by ticks and livestock animals. It can cause severe hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, primarily in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

8. Chikungunya: Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever, joint pain, rashes, and arthritis-like symptoms. It has spread to various regions, including Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

9. Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB): Tuberculosis caused by drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a growing concern worldwide. In particular, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) poses a significant threat to global health.

10. Rift Valley fever: Rift Valley fever is a viral zoonotic disease primarily affecting animals but can also infect humans. It is spread through mosquito bites or contact with infected animals and has had substantial outbreaks in Africa.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there are many other emerging diseases being monitored by health experts worldwide. Additionally, ongoing research and surveillance activities may reveal new diseases or revise the importance of the listed ones.

You May Also Like

More From Author

+ There are no comments

Add yours