Abstract
Emerging Infections Diseases 10 continues the tradition of previous volumes in terms of content and organization. Emerging diseases covered include but are not limited to those caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, enterovirus D-68, Zika virus, novel tick-borne Rickettsia, and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis fungus. Also discussed is how antimicrobial resistance and reduced vaccination coverage are fueling reemergence of (once) treatable or preventable diseases. Most chapters contain descriptions of microbiology and pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis, prevention and treatment, and public and animal health implications in a straightforward, well-organized manner. Where applicable, they also describe the ecology of transmission with regards to the relationship between reservoirs, vectors, and hosts and how interactions may change due to environmental pressures. The first 2 chapters provide a thorough and thoughtful summary of what occurred during the Ebola virus disease outbreak that began in 2013 and then smoothly transitions to an applied discussion of lessons that should be learned in preparing for future outbreaks of serious communicable diseases.
The use of pictorial displays, geographic maps with confirmed cases of infection, schematics (ie, the Serious Communicable Disease Unit at Emory University), and diagrams of virus life cycles and ecology all serve to explain concepts discussed in the text in an at-a-glance format and provide granularity to operational conditions and pathologic changes. Charts neatly compile and package data in a well-labeled and captioned reader-friendly format.
That several authors devoted time to a discussion of infection prevention and control, personal protective equipment, training and practices for health care workers, operational protocols, waste management, and biocontainment in patient wards demonstrated insight to the relevance of biosafety in the health care setting and value of combined skill sets among infection control and biosafety practitioners. Underscoring the importance of “developing a culture of safety” when working with patients infected with serious communicable diseases and the causative agent is key to preventing infection and is a concept that, while in the recent past had not garnered sufficient recognition, is now gaining momentum.
A notable disappointment was the missed opportunity by most authors to inform readers on applied aspects of biosafety, appropriate biosafety levels, and practices when handling clinical samples as well as when conducting research. This type of information can be concisely conveyed and need not take pages to explain. Similarly, laboratory-acquired infections were mentioned in passing by only a couple of authors. Furthermore, had the authors provided a brief synopsis of how the exposure occurred (equipment used or practice conducted) and the route of exposure, these insights could potentially prevent future exposures or illness. I agree with the Preface of this book that states “it is a valuable resource for those working to address emerging infectious disease threats.” Helping to keep clinicians, diagnosticians, and researchers safe while conducting their missions would greatly strengthen future volumes in the series.