THE RETURN OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
BBC Science Focus|March 2024
With measles, plague and cholera all rearing their heads again, are we seeing an unprecedented level of disease re-emergence? And what would it take to start another pandemic?
THE RETURN OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The first quarter of this year has heralded outbreaks of measles in the US and the UK; a global shortage of the cholera vaccine; and even a case of bubonic plague for the unlucky owner of an infected cat in Oregon. Infectious diseases we thought were long gone are resurfacing, thanks in part to global conflict, international travel and climate change. But how much disease re-emergence is normal?

To find out, we spoke to Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine at University of East Anglia's Norwich Medical School.

HOW NORMAL IS IT FOR DISEASES THAT WE THINK ARE GONE TO COME BACK?

The issue is whether they've actually gone or not. A lot of infections that were common once and still spread within society can come back with force in the future. Globally, we typically see one or two significant emergences or re-emergences every year, on average.

For many of the classic infectious diseases that seem to re-emerge, they've probably been around pretty much the whole time. Re-emergence is usually more on a regional level, such as when cholera spreads into an area that it's not caused problems in for decades.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO FULLY WIPE A DISEASE FROM THE FACE OF THE PLANET?

We did it with smallpox. We thought we might do it with poliomyelitis too, although it's not looking good. So generally, no, we don't expect to eradicate most infections. Once the infection spreads, globally and through society, you can manage and control it, but they're almost impossible to eradicate.

With smallpox, the vaccine was highly effective. There was also a lot of will to get rid of the disease and we could diagnose it fairly easily so you could quickly tell whether it had spread. Nowadays, there are a few problems. Many infections are infectious before somebody gets sick.

This story is from the March 2024 edition of BBC Science Focus.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2024 edition of BBC Science Focus.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC SCIENCE FOCUSView All
COULD MARINE CLOUD BRIGHTENING HELP US FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE?
BBC Science Focus

COULD MARINE CLOUD BRIGHTENING HELP US FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE?

The theory behind marine cloud brightening is that brighter or whiter clouds reflect more sunlight back into space.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
IS IT SAFE TO RUN EVERY DAY, OR SHOULD I DITCH MY RUN STREAK TO SAVE MY KNEES?
BBC Science Focus

IS IT SAFE TO RUN EVERY DAY, OR SHOULD I DITCH MY RUN STREAK TO SAVE MY KNEES?

A running streak, where you run every day without taking rest days, can be highly motivating and beneficial for overall fitness. Running is great cardiovascular exercise and isn't to be discouraged (and finding a routine with some consistency is great). Getting a bit of exercise as often as possible is also hugely beneficial for your mental health.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
WHAT MAKES THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET SO GOOD FOR US?
BBC Science Focus

WHAT MAKES THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET SO GOOD FOR US?

The Mediterranean diet may help you live longer, especially if you also adopt the lifestyle of people living near the Med during the 1950s.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
WHAT IS MEXICO'S BLUE HOLE?
BBC Science Focus

WHAT IS MEXICO'S BLUE HOLE?

The world's deepest blue hole (marine sinkhole) lies off the coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It's at least 420m (1,378ft) deep, but explorers still haven't found its bottom.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
HOW CAN I TELL IF I'VE GOT HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS?
BBC Science Focus

HOW CAN I TELL IF I'VE GOT HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS?

Cortisol is a hormone produced by glands in our bodies called the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. It plays a critical role in various bodily functions, including regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation and helping the body respond to stress. While essential for our health, chronic elevation of cortisol levels can lead to several issues.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
THE LUNGFISH
BBC Science Focus

THE LUNGFISH

In 1836, European scientists discovered a peculiar animal from the River Amazon that they struggled to identify. Its eel-like body was a few feet long and its air-filled lungs persuaded anatomists it must be a reptile.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
ARE WE THE ONLY SPECIES TO HAVE BEEN THROUGH A STONE AGE?
BBC Science Focus

ARE WE THE ONLY SPECIES TO HAVE BEEN THROUGH A STONE AGE?

The Stone Age might conjure up images of early humans, sitting around a campfire or hunting prehistoric beasts, but evidence shows that we're not the only species that has learned how to work with stone tools. Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) use stone tools to crack open nuts.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Should we scrap daylight saving time?
BBC Science Focus

Should we scrap daylight saving time?

Most of us look forward to the extra hour we get in bed every October, but researchers argue that changing the clocks twice a year harms our health

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
THE INTERNET OF ANIMALS
BBC Science Focus

THE INTERNET OF ANIMALS

SCIENTISTS ARE USING ELECTRONIC TAGS AND SATELLITES TO TRACK WILD ANIMALS AND CREATE A DATA NETWORK THAT COULD HELP US ADDRESS THE BIODIVERSITY CRISIS

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2024
MUSIC FOR A DISTRACTED GENERATION
BBC Science Focus

MUSIC FOR A DISTRACTED GENERATION

The number of things competing for our attention is often overwhelming. Can dreamy soundscapes created with neuroscience help our bewildered brains to concentrate?

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2024