Question

Which of the following would NOT be considered a reemerging disease? a. Drug-resistant tuberculosis b. Drug-resistant gonorrhea c. Malaria d. West Nile virus fever/encephalitis

Short answer

The disease that would NOT be considered a reemerging disease is (d) West Nile virus fever/encephalitis.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Definition of a Reemerging Disease

A reemerging disease is one that was previously under control, but is again becoming a health problem for a significant proportion of the population. This can happen due to a variety of factors such as a decrease in immunity among the population, development of drug resistance, or changes in the environment.

Analyze Each Disease Option

Look at each disease listed and determine whether it fits the definition of a reemerging disease. (a) Drug-resistant tuberculosis and (b) drug-resistant gonorrhea are diseases that have developed resistance to medications that were previously effective, fitting the definition of reemerging diseases. (c) Malaria has been a long-standing problem in many parts of the world and can be considered reemerging in regions where it was previously under control. (d) West Nile virus fever/encephalitis is a disease that has only recently appeared in new locations and therefore does not fit the classic definition of a reemerging disease.

Identify the Non-Reemerging Disease

After analyzing each option, we can conclude that West Nile virus fever/encephalitis has not reemerged, but rather emerged in new areas where it was not previously found. This makes it a newly emerging disease rather than a reemerging one.

Key concepts

Understanding Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Historically, TB caused widespread fear and mortality until the advent of effective antibiotics. Unfortunately, strains of TB have developed resistance to these drugs, resulting in drug-resistant TB.

Drug-resistant TB emerges when the bacteria evolve to withstand the effects of medications, often due to incomplete or improper use of antibiotic treatments. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) are of particular concern.

Control and treatment of drug-resistant TB involve longer, more complex, and often more toxic drug regimens compared to regular TB. This underscores the critical need for prevention strategies, like ensuring patients complete their full course of treatment, to avoid the development of resistance.

Combatting Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Effective treatment for gonorrhea has been available since the discovery of antibiotics; however, drug-resistant gonorrhea has emerged as a major concern.

The increase in drug-resistant strains is alarming because it complicates the treatment. When gonorrhea is resistant to common antibiotics, alternative treatments are required, and these may be less readily available or have more side effects. This challenges the control of the spread of this STI and highlights the importance of safe sex practices, routine STI screenings, and appropriate antibiotic use.

Malaria's Persistent Threat

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Although often associated with tropical and subtropical regions, it has reemerged in areas where it was previously eradicated or controlled.

The resurgence of malaria can be attributed to factors such as resistance to antimalarial drugs and insecticides, climate change, and movements of populations to areas with less effective public health systems. Preventative measures include mosquito control programs, the use of bed nets treated with insecticide, and prophylactic antimalarial drugs for travelers to high-risk areas.

Spread of the West Nile Virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that can lead to serious neurological illnesses, such as meningitis or encephalitis. WNV is not a reemerging disease but an emerging infectious disease that has spread to new territories, including parts of North America, since its discovery in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937.

The transmission of WNV is primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, and the virus is found in birds as well as other species. While there is currently no vaccine, preventive measures like mosquito control, wearing protective clothing, and using insect repellent can minimize the risk of infection.