A New Medical Journal, Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, to be Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.Health/Medical Writers LARCHMONT, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2000 Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases Zoonotic diseases Diseases caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between (or are shared by) animals and humans. This can include transmission through the bite of an insect, such as a mosquito. Mentioned in: West Nile Virus , the first peer-review medical journal focusing solely on diseases transmitted to humans by insects or animals, has been announced by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers www.liebertpub.com). The journal, which will be edited by Durland Fish, Ph.D., associate professor of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health of the Yale School of Medicine The primary teaching hospital for the school is Yale-New Haven Hospital. The school is home to the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, one of the largest modern medical libraries, also known for its historical collections. , will be published both in print and online. "Vector borne and zoonotic diseases represent an increasing threat to public health, both in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and around the world," said Dr. Fish. "Well-known examples of vector borne diseases are Lyme Disease Lyme disease, a nonfatal bacterial infection that causes symptoms ranging from fever and headache to a painful swelling of the joints. The first American case of Lyme's characteristic rash was documented in 1970 and the disease was first identified in a cluster at and West Nile Virus West Nile virus, microorganism and the infection resulting from it, which typically produces no symptoms or a flulike condition. The virus is a flavivirus and is related to a number of viruses that cause encephalitis. , diseases that are transmitted to humans by ticks and mosquitoes. Zoonotic diseases include Hantavirus hantavirus, any of a genus (Hantavirus) of single-stranded RNA viruses that are carried by rodents and transmitted to humans when they inhale vapors from contaminated rodent urine, saliva, or feces. There are many strains of hantavirus. and Ebola, diseases, which are transmitted directly to humans by wildlife. Increased travel to more exotic global destinations also provides new pathogenic opportunities for which we may be ill prepared," he noted. "New strains of malaria and other infectious diseases continue to proliferate, and the need for more research and interdisciplinary endeavor is imperative." "The study of such diseases requires a unique interdisciplinary approach that transcends traditional medicine," Dr. Fish said. "Yet while they represent an increasing and worrisome threat to public health, research in the field of vector borne and zoonotic diseases has declined because of decreased funding," he continued. "This has resulted in the reduction of study in academic institutions as well as the overall decay in our public health infrastructure and its ability to combat such diseases most effectively. Training in this field is at an all-time low," he added. "Entomology entomology, study of insects, an arthropod class that comprises about 900,000 known species, representing about three fourths of all the classified animal species. , ecology, wildlife biology and other field-related disciplines are essential to the understanding of the geography, seasonality and other risk factors for human disease, which profoundly influence diagnosis, management and prevention efforts," Dr. Fish emphasized. "Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases will stimulate investigator interest and foster increased funding from both the public and private sectors, who are developing new vaccines and therapeutics," said Mary Ann Liebert. "This journal will make an important contribution not only to the literature but to the advancement of an important interdisciplinary field of endeavor." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. , approximately 100,000 cases of Lyme Disease have been reported since 1982. Federal health authorities are currently working with 17 states to try to head off an outbreak of the West Nile virus this year. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a privately held fully integrated media company that is known for establishing new and cutting-edge journals, books and newsletters, such as Genetic Engineering News (GEN); Microbial microbial pertaining to or emanating from a microbe. microbial digestion the breakdown of organic material, especially feedstuffs, by microbial organisms. and Comparative Genomics; and Human Gene Therapy. A complete list of publications is available from the publisher 914/834-3100 ext 623 or visit www.liebertpub.com |
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