WEEK 11: 11.11 Emerging Infectious Diseases

Question 1

Define emerging virus

Answer 1

They are causative agents of a new/previously unrecognised infection
However, generally there are no ‘new’ viruses, viruses have co-evolved with us for millennia and have become detected/transmitted to the human population

Question 2

What are some contributing factors that have led to the ability of emerging viruses to spread?

Answer 2

industrialization, agriculture, food industries, zoonosis, flights,

Question 3

Define the term zoonosis, give examples

Answer 3

refers to diseases passed from animals to humans.
bats and dogs carry rabies
pigs carry influenza
zika virus

Question 4

What can zika virus do to humans?

Answer 4

If it affects a pregnant woman, it can cross the placenta and lead to physical deformities and mental retardation in newborn babies