Zoonotic Diseases

A reported 75 percent of recently emerging infectious diseases are of animal origin, and approximately 60 percent of all human pathogens are zoonotic. Zoonotic diseases (zoonoses) are defined as illnesses commonly found in animals that can be transmitted to humans, and can be caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses. To date over 200 zoonotic diseases have been identified, and though seen worldwide, zoonotic diseases are especially prevalent in areas of the developing world where humans and livestock live in close proximity. By gaining an understanding of these illnesses and tracking their spread, it may be possible to limit new infections and prevent potential epidemic outbreaks.

Outbreaks of zoonoses including influenza, ebola, tuberculosis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have been seen worldwide in recent years. In many developing countries, zoonoses are among the diseases that contribute significantly to an already overly burdened public health system. Approximately 700 million people in developing nations keep livestock, frequently living nearby the animals, putting them at an increased risk of contracting a zoonotic disease. Brucellosis (one of the world’s most widespread zoonoses), Q Fever, and Bovine spongiform encephalopthy (BSE or “mad cow disease”) are among the zoonoses commonly encountered in regions where large numbers of farm animals are kept.

The transmission of pathogens between the environment, wildlife, livestock, and humans is a major health concern that affects humans and domestic animals, as well as impacting the sustainability of agriculture and the conservation of wildlife. According to Dr. Martyn Jeggo, director of CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory, the recent emergence of diseases in humans which originated animals has “heightened public awareness of the multidimensional linkages between wild animals, livestock production, the environment and global public health.” In addition to those transmitted by farm animals, recent studies suggest that at least 100 of the known zoonotic diseases are derived from domestic pets. According to Dr. Peter Rabinowitz of the Yale School of Medicine, rates may be higher than studies indicate as several million infections passed between pets and people go unreported each year in the United States. Common infections transmitted to humans after sleeping with their cat or dog, or being licked by the animal include hookworm, ringworm, roundworm, cat scratch disease, and drug-resistant staph infections.

According to experts, the key to slowing the spread of zoonotic diseases and reducing the likelihood of epidemic events is careful monitoring. Through programs like the recently launched PREDICT, a project of USAID's Emerging Pandemic Threats Program, it may be possible to develop a global early warning system through which emerging zoonotic diseases can be detected and reduced.



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Using the Internet to Assist Japan

On March 11, 2011, Japan was struck by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake – the fourth largest in the world since 1900 - proceeded by a massive tsunami. Reports indicate that at least 550,000 people have been displaced, and at least 10,000 have lost their lives. In the hours and days following these disasters, individuals and organizations have utilized the Internet as a “virtual crisis center,” using websites particularly social networking sites, to share information and locate friends and family members.

According to Ezra Gottheil, an analyst at Technology Business Research, “Social communications, like Twitter, and social networking sites, like Facebook, are at their best when big news is breaking.” As seen following the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, humanitarian aid organizations have used social networking websites to solicit donations. Individuals have also used the sites to share information about their experiences on the ground and reconnect with friends and family members. Online Social Media, an organization which tracks social media services, reported that just an hour after the earthquake hit Japan, Twitter was experiencing 1,200 tweets per minute, many of them containing hashtags related to the tragedy. Facebook was similarly flooded with posts, which students in the U.S. and Japan are working together to use to paint a picture of the extent of the tragedy.

Large corporations have also created portals to help individuals locate loved ones and provide information about where to obtain medical assistance, food, potable water, and shelter. Google’s Person Finder database, available in Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese, and Portuguese allows users to enter a name and search for missing persons or post updates about people who they know are safe. A local version of the crisis-mapping tool, Ushahidi, has also been created and put in place. Ushahidi allows individuals in Japan to text or input online the locations of trapped people or clinic locations which are then plotted on a map so that users can easily pinpoint where people may be trapped, dangerous areas that should be avoided, and locations where food and clean water can be obtained.

Patrick Meier, director of crisis mapping and new media at Ushahidi, notes that “Ten percent of this [sharing of information] is the technology, and the other 90 percent is the people…That’s truer and truer as the technology gets easier to use.” As technology use and adoption becomes more widespread, the use of technology during the rescue and recovery period is likely to increase. By utilizing existing information and communication technologies and developing new ones, outcomes following natural disasters can be improved.



Click here to find out how you can participate in iCons in Medicine’s efforts to provide medical assistance via teleconsultations to Japan



FEMA Online Guide to Disaster Preparedness

Mobile applications that can prepare you for or provide assistance in a disaster situation:

• American Red Cross: Shelter View (iPhone – Free)


• Disaster Readiness (iPhone - $0.99)


• Disaster Readiness (Android - $1.99)


• Pocket First Aid & CPR (iPhone - $3.99)


• Pocket First Aid & CPR (Android - $2.99)


• Emergency Radio (iPhone - $0.99)


• Scanner Radio Pro (Android - $2.99)

Mobile Medical Applications

The New York Times recently reported that “more human beings today have access to a cell phone than the United Nations says have access to a clean toilet.” Further reports indicate that there are an estimated 5 billion mobile phone users worldwide with three-quarters of these individuals in developing nations. Mobile broadband subscriptions are on track to surpass one billion by 2011, according to Ericsson, a provider of telecommunication and data communication systems worldwide. For healthcare providers in the developed world, smartphones and mobile devices have become increasingly common, and a reported 72 percent of physicians are utilizing smartphones personally and professionally. This global trend underpins the unprecedented potential of mobile applications to help bridge gaps in medical knowledge and address the lack of trained personnel at the point of care in underserved areas.

Experts note that the use of mobile applications can simplify the process of sharing clinical images and patient data for physicians consulting on a case and may be particularly helpful in rural and remote regions. To date, two mobile applications have been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve the quality of care provided nationwide. The first, Mobile MIM, allows physicians to examine images of patient scans on iPhones or iPads. According to William Maisel, chief scientist and deputy director for science at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Mobile MIM “provides physicians with the ability to immediately view images and make diagnoses” without requiring that they be near a workstation. Similarly, MobiUS, a simple medical ultrasound imaging system, which has also recently received FDA approval, can be used to simplify the ultrasound process. Requiring only an ultrasound wand and gel, and a smartphone, MobiUS increases the portability, affordability, and accessibility of this type of non-invasive medical imaging and can help improve the delivery of obstetric and gynecological care.

A number of other medical applications have been developed to aid in diagnosis and provide treatment recommendations. MedRed, an organization whose mission is to make medical knowledge accessible to patients and healthcare providers at the point of care, was recently awarded a contract from the Veterans Affairs Department to pilot a software tool aimed at helping healthcare providers more easily share new and innovative treatment strategies for veterans being treated for traumatic brain injury. The system, called Balto, provides for electronic data capture and exchange, and incorporates clinical decision support technology. Balto’s graphical user interface allows the user to enter patient signs and symptoms in a point-and-click fashion, and receive real-time diagnosis and treatment recommendations based on selected clinical guidelines embedded in the system.

The Coags Uncomplicated mobile application was also developed to assist in medical diagnosis, specifically for bleeding disorders, and allows physicians to input test results and receive a list of possible diagnoses. Mobile applications are in development to help diagnose a number of other potentially fatal conditions as well, including cancer. In addition to applications created for use by physicians, some aim to improve patient awareness and the ability to monitor one’s health. According to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), “People in communities can improve their healthcare if they just have the information to do it.” Among application created to allow patients to monitor their condition is Prostate Pal, a free iPhone application developed by urologist Dr. Ronald Yap. Designed to help men keep accurate health records and discuss symptoms with their doctors, Prostate Pal allows patients to track their fluid intake and output, and features a symptoms questionnaire from the American Urological Association. Other iPhone applications intended for consumer use, such as Wheelmap, depend heavily on user feedback and the sharing of information. Wheelmap tags places of interest on a map and shows the user the most wheelchair-accessible route. In addition, users are able to indicate how accessible locations are using a color-coding system, and can also rate the routes the application provides and suggest modifications.

The use of medical applications on cell phones, tablets, and personal computers can help to greatly improve the quality of care delivered worldwide. Clinicians and patients can utilize these innovative new tools to inform diagnosis and treatment decisions, share information about medical conditions, and track symptoms to ensure that medical knowledge is available at the point of care.


Discuss this and other health IT topics in the iCons in Medicine Forums


FEMA Online Guide to Disaster Preparedness

Mobile applications that can prepare you for or provide assistance in a disaster situation:

American Red Cross: Shelter View (iPhone – Free)

Disaster Readiness (iPhone - $0.99)

Disaster Readiness (Android - $1.99)

Pocket First Aid & CPR (iPhone - $3.99)

Pocket First Aid & CPR (Android - $2.99)

Emergency Radio (iPhone - $0.99)

Scanner Radio Pro (Android - $2.99)