Infectious Diseases

The Issue

Living in a globalized world brings unique challenges. The transportation that allows people to conveniently cross continents in under 24 hours brings with it increased health risks that were unprecedented a century ago. A person infected with a virus can hop on a plane and bring that virus across the ocean in less than a day while simultaneously infecting others heading to various destinations. Yet it is not only the migration of people that contributes to spreading disease, but the migration of other species as well. Rising temperatures allow animals and insects that require warm weather to migrate further north, bringing bacteria, viruses and parasites with them. Some species, such as ticks and mosquitos, are known to be potential carriers of disease. These species, often referred to as arthropod hosts, can bring a variety of new viruses into a region, endangering both humans and animals.

Our Experts

Hana Akselrod
Assistant Professor of Medicine
GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Robert Canales
Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health
GW Milken Institute School of Public Health 

Aileen Chang
Assistant Director for Research, Rodham Institute for Health Disparities
Associate Professor of Medicine
GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Nirbhay Kumar
Professor of Global Health
GW Milken Institute School of Public Health

Cindy Liu
Chief Medical Officer, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center
Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health
GW Milken Institute School of Public Health

Chris Mores 
Professor of Global Health
GW Milken Institute School of Public Health

Emily Smith
Associate Professor of Global Health and of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
GW Milken Institute School of Public Health 

Y. Tony Yang
Associate Dean of Health Policy and Population Science
Endowed Professor of Health Policy 
GW School of Nursing & GW Milken Institute School of Public Health