Infectious Diseases Sourcebook

Basic Consumer Health Information about Bacterial, Viral, Prion, Fungal, and Parasitic Diseases Spread by Food and Water, Insects and Animals, or Environmental Contact, Including Botulism, E. Coli, Encephalitis, Legionnaire's Disease, Lyme Disease, Malaria, Plague, Rabies, Salmonella, Tetanus, and Others, and Facts about Newly Emerging Diseases, Such as Hantavirus, Mad Cow Disease, Monkeypox, and West Nile Virus

Infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of death around the world and the third leading cause of death in the United States. The danger of terrorist activities related to the intentional spread of disease organisms or other toxic agents also increases concerns. Although much progress has been made in preventing and treating infectious diseases, new threats continue to emerge and old ones sometimes develop resistance to commonly used treatments.

This book provides information about infectious diseases that can be spread through food and drinking water, by insects and animals, or by contact with microorganisms in the environment. These include botulism, E. coli, various forms of encephalitis, hantavirus, Legionnaire's disease, Lyme disease, mad cow disease, malaria, monkeypox, plague, rabies, salmonella, tetanus, and many others. Special sections focus on bioterrorism and current research initiatives. A glossary and directories of resources for more information are also included.

NOTE: Diseases spread by person-to-person contact are covered in Contagious Diseases Sourcebook.

What reviewers are saying . . .

"This reference continues the excellent tradition of the Health Reference Series in consolidating a wealth of information on a selected topic into a format that is easy to use and accessible to the general public." - American Reference Books Annual, 2005

"Recommended for public and academic libraries." - E-Streams, January 2005