Brown study finds infectious disease outbreaks increasing

PROVIDENCE – Brown University researchers say infectious-disease outbreaks appear to be on the rise globally, though on a per capita basis, the impact is declining.
The report, published Oct. 29 in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, tracked outbreaks since 1980. Between 1980 and 1985 there were less than 1,000 outbreaks, but for 2005-2010, the number surged to nearly 3,000.
Co-author Katherine Smith, Brown assistant professor of biology, said that the interface of humankind with animals, coupled with modern travel, is leading to the strengthening of certain diseases.
“We live in a world where human populations are increasingly interconnected with one another and with animals – both wildlife and livestock – that host novel pathogens,” Smith said.
The study found that 65 percent of infectious diseases originate with animals. The top 10 animal-borne diseases from 2000 to 2010 (from most to least common) were: E. coli, influenza A, hepatitis A, anthrax, dengue fever, shigellosis, tuberculosis, chikingunya and trichinosis.
The study found that for human diseases, those not originating with animals, the top diseases were: gastroenteritis, cholera, measles, enterovirus, meningitis, legionellosis, typhoid and enteric fever, rotavirus, mumps, and pertussis. •

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