The Enemy Is Us!


The most common cause of death for much of the world's population is still due to diseases we get from microorganisms (infectious diseases). A recent article in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, written by Dr. Stanley Falkow (Stanford University, United States), mentions five reasons why these infectious diseases are so common in our world.

  1. The presence of human populations large enough to sustain and increase the numbers of these organisms.
  2. Poverty, with its crowding, unsanitary conditions, and malnutrition has led to an increased susceptibility to infection and disease.
  3. War, famine, civil unrest, and disease epidemics have led to a breakdown in public infrastructure and the increased incidence of infectious diseases.
  4. The domestication of animals.
  5. The encroachment of human populations into the domain of animal species all over the globe.

We do have a very profound effect on our world. Sometimes the things we do come back to haunt us. I encourage you to go and read the rest of Dr. Falkow's article. Knowledge is power and what you don't know can harm you.

Take Care and Think Microbiologically!

The copyright of the article The Enemy Is Us! in Microbiology is owned by Neal Rolfe Chamberlain. Permission to republish The Enemy Is Us! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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