History of Disease
In what year did the Surgeon General declare the war on infectious diseases 'won'?
1970
What bacterium causes cholera?
Vibrio cholerae
What symptom is common in cholera infections?
Severe vomiting and diarrhea
What gene variant helped some people survive the Black Death?
ERAP2
What is the most effective way to stop disease transmission?
Reduce or avoid contact with infected individuals
Which city experienced a cholera outbreak in 1832 that killed 3,515 people?
New York City
What bacterium causes the Black Death?
Yersinia pestis
What symptom was described as 'burn boil' during the Black Death?
Painful boils on thighs or arms
People with which blood type are most susceptible to cholera?
Type O
Why is the cholera vaccine not widely used?
Low efficacy and short duration of protection
The Black Death killed nearly what fraction of the world’s population in the 1300s?
One-fifth
Name two ways cholera is transmitted.
Contaminated water and food
How long did most Black Death victims survive after symptoms appeared?
About 3–4 days
What percentage of British people today carry the protective ERAP2 variant?
About 45%
What modern strategy mirrors Hamburg’s 1892 cholera response?
Movement restrictions and disinfection
Name the port city where the Black Death first appeared in Europe.
Messina
What insect helped spread the Black Death?
Fleas
What system failure occurs in Black Death victims?
Failure of homeostasis
What process explains why ERAP2 became more common after the plague?
Natural selection
What type of pathogen is used in vaccines to stimulate immunity?
Weakened or dead pathogens
How many cholera pandemics have occurred since 1816?
Seven
What is the Ro (reproduction number) of cholera?
9.5
What percentage of Europe’s population died during the Black Death?
About 50%
What is a potential downside of the ERAP2 variant today?
Associated with autoimmune disorders
Why hasn’t bubonic plague been a major problem in modern Europe or the US?
Improved sanitation and public health systems