A closer look at five diseases making headlines this summer
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H5N1: is cow flu the next pandemic?
Flu viruses have caused 10-26 pandemics since 1580. Though it’s impossible to predict the next pandemic virus, a flu strain called H5N1 is a prime candidate.
Since 1997, it has infected some 900 people, killing over half of them. In 2020, a new strain of the virus started infecting more species. For the first time, American cows on over 140 farms have become infected. Worse, out of some 50 Americans tested for the virus, four were positive. Experts are worried that if H5N1 mutates, it could spark a pandemic.
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STSS: Japan’s “flesh-eating bacteria“
Japan saw over 1000 cases of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) in the first half of 2024—more than in all of 2023, which was already a record-breaking year.
STSS occurs when the same bacteria behind Strep throat enters the bloodstream, often causing organ failure and tissue death. The mortality rate is around 30%, and death typically occurs in 48 hours.
Experts are still not sure why the disease has seen such a dramatic surge, though some have suggested that a reduction in immunity following the COVID-19 pandemic is involved.
Dengue: worsening with climate change
Dengue is not a new disease, but a warming planet enables its mosquito hosts to spread it further.
This is certainly the case in South America, which saw an astonishing 10 million cases this year. In Brazil, hospitals were so overwhelmed that field hospitals and tents had to be set up for Dengue patients.
For areas like the US and East Asia where Dengue is just starting to rise, it’s a stark preview of what may be to come.
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Mpox: a new strain
After another Mpox strain caused an unprecedented global outbreak in 2022, a new strain called Clade Ib is alarming experts.
First detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2023, the strain comes from Clade I, which is likely more severe, with a 5-10% case fatality rate.
In the past, cases of Clade I Mpox were sporadic and often came from animals. Since 2023, however, the virus has spread rapidly from person to person, with over 20,000 cases and 1000 deaths in the DRC as a result. Additionally, Clade Ib may escape tests and spread better through non-sexual means, making another global outbreak a concern.
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Polio: back from the brink of extinction?
For decades, the world has targeted Polio for total eradication. Billions of vaccinations later, wild-type (non-vaccine) Polio has been wiped out in every country except Afghanistan and Pakistan.
However, after seeing just 6 cases in 2023, Pakistan saw eight this year. So far, the virus has been detected in samples from 45 of its 166 districts.
As the country faces population movements and Taliban attacks on vaccine workers, eradicating the virus appears increasingly difficult.
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Thank you for addressing these pertinent issues! It's easy to become complacent about global health. This article does a wonderful job highlighting some of the diseases against which we should remain vigilant and, in the cases of Polio and Dengue, vaccinated. Let's continue spreading awareness and supporting each other in our efforts to stay healthy and safe!
What a timely and relevant overview! With so many of us traveling this summer, your very insightful articles are exactly what we need right now. The public definitely needs more sites like yours with laser focus on important and timely health topics. Thanks for doing such meaningful work for public health! Keep up the great work!