Biological Hazards -pervasive influx of insects or parasites affecting humans, animals, crops and materials -infectious diseases

Locust invasion in Senegal (2004)

Infectious diseases H1N1 (Swine Flu) HIV/AIDS Cholera Dengue fever River blindness Malaria Tuberculosis H5N1 (Avian Flu)

The World's Most Destructive Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (2009) Lower respiratory tract infections Diarrheal diseases HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis Malaria

Lower respiratory infections Deaths/year: 4.2 Million Affect the trachea, lungs and bronchi Cases of pneumonia make up the vast majority of debilitating lower respiratory infections.

Diarrheal diseases Deaths/Year: 2.2 million Most commonly caused by gastrointestinal infections, result in loose stool and can cause dehydration and sometimes death. Cholera and dysentery are both common diarrheal diseases.

HIV/AIDS Deaths/Year: 2 million AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a life-threatening, infectious disease caused by HIV, a retrovirus that attacks the body's immune system and impairs its ability to fight disease.

Tuberculosis Deaths/Year: 1.5 million A chronic bacterial infection that spreads through the air and primarily affects the lungs. If not treated properly, tuberculosis can affect other organs and lead to death.

Malaria Deaths/Year: 890,000 A parasitic disease transmitted between humans by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The disease causes flu-like symptoms and attacks of fever and chills.

Classifying Disease Disasters Epidemic Pandemic Endemic

Epidemic – A widespread disease that affects many individuals in a population and the number affected is rapidly increasing SARS epidemic ( )

Pandemic When an epidemic occurs across the globe HIV/AIDS H1N1

Endemic – Diseases that occur at a constant but relatively high rate in the population Malaria in many African countries

“One place for disease to hide is among the poor, especially when the poor are socially and medically segregated from those whose deaths might be considered more important” -Dr. Paul Farmer

MDC – infectious diseases pose small risk LDC and LLDC – cause a high number of deaths WHY? – Poor sanitation – Unsafe drinking water – Poor access to health care (hospitals, doctors/nurses, medicine, vaccinations) – Lack of health education

Works Cited “Disaster Management”. IFRC Online. Sept. 27, “Infectious Diseases”. Fitnessgates Online. Sept. 29, “The World’s Most Destructive Diseases”. The Online Newshour. March, Online. Sept. 27,