Four of the most lethal infectious diseases of our time and how we’re overcoming them

In this article by Dr David Griffin and A/Prof Justin Denholm they detail the influence of of infectious diseases on culture, evolution and how we, in turn, have influence them.

In 2013, the World Health Organisation declared antibiotic resistance was a threat to global health security. It can seem hard to believe that in the 21st century infectious diseases remain such a profound existential risk. But this declaration highlights the ever-lingering threat of infectious diseases and our dependence on antibiotics to stave off their impact on human and animal health and industry.

It also reminds us to appreciate antibiotics as one of many advances in infectious diseases and public health during the past century, and reflect on some of the greatest, still persistent, infectious disease challenges facing us today.

Continue here to The Conversation

http://theconversation.com/four-of-the-most-lethal-infectious-diseases-of-our-time-and-how-were-overcoming-them-78101