Epidemiological Historical Events - Sidney Y. timeline

Alongside Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch established the Germ Theory of disease. He also used photography to take the first pictures of microbes, which helped show everyone that microorganisms (germs) exist and are the cause of disease. Koch showed that anthrax was transmissible and reproducible in mice. He was able to identify the spore stage of the growth cycle of microorganisms (Jones and Bartlett Learning, 2017). This is important today, because we can prevent disease and provide treatment.

Mary Mallon was born in Ireland and emigrated to the US in 1884. She was a cook for 8 wealthy families and 7 of them were infected with Salmonella typhi. twenty-two people presented signs of infection and some died. Dr. George Sober had discovered that Mary was a carrier of Typhoid. She contaminated everything around her. This was a result of her not washing her hands after using the bathroom.
(Androutsos, Karamanou, Marineli, & Tsoucalas, 2013)

The influenza pandemic of 1918 was the most severe pandemic in history. This was caused by the H1N1 virus containing genes of avian origin. 500 million people or one-third of the world's population became infected with this virus. 50 million was the estimated number of deaths worldwide. There was no vaccine to protect against this infection. Control efforts consisted of isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, and disinfectants. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019)

Cohort study design that analyzes family patterns of cardiovascular/other disease, while also obtaining more genetic information from the two generations that followed the original study participants. Started with 5,209 adult subjects from Framingham and is now on its third generation of participants. Epidemiologists study disease and search for ways to prevent/stop the spread. This study helps researchers learn more about heart disease and can work to promote healthy lifestyles.
(NHLBI)

In 1950, epidemiological studies demonstrated that lung cancer is causatively associated with cigarette smoking. This was a case-control study. Wynder & Graham conducted this study in the USA. Cigarettes had a decrease in the average amount of nicotine and tar inside. To reduce the emission of smoke, a filter was added to cigarettes. This is important to modern day science, because smoking is still an issue. The numbers have declined, but lung disease is still a concern.(Muscat and Wynder, 1995)

Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) and the syndrome it causes "Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome" (AIDS) is an autoimmune virus, or bloodborne pathogen, that attacks the immune system of its host. HIV/AIDS were unknown until 1981, when it became the number one threat to public health. HIV/AIDS was affecting homosexual men, intravenous drug users, immigrants and racial minorities.
(A&E Television Networks 2021)

John Snow showed the association of Cholera with contaminated drinking water. Cholera primarily affects people living in unsanitary conditions. The vaccine was developed in Sweden in the 1980s and originally contained native B subunit purified. The second efficacy trial of the two-dose regimen of the rBs-WC occurred in 1999. Vaccination is still an important part of science, especially with Covid-19. Epidemiologists are always looking for ways to protect the population. (Lopez, et al. 2014.)

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. People can become ill with anthrax if they come into contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. In 2001, powdered anthrax spores were put into letters that were mailed through the US postal system. twenty-two people got anthrax, and five people died.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2020)

In 2006, E. coli and salmonella infections were linked to fresh spinach. E. coli O157 with the outbreak strain "DNA fingerprint" was detected in the remaining spinach. E. coli O157 was isolated from thirteen packages of spinach supplied by patients living in 10 states. 199 people were infected.
( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2006)

Zika is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. This can cause for infection during pregnancy and cause birth defects. There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. There was an epidemic of Zika fever, caused by Zika virus that began in Brazil. In 2015, large outbreaks occurred in the Americas.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019)

On March 23, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported cases of Ebola Virus Disease in southeastern New Guinea. The initial case was reported in December 2013. An 18-month-old boy from a small village in Guinea was believed to be infected by bats. Eleven people in the United States were treated for Ebola during the 2014-2016 epidemic. 28,616 cases and 11,310 deaths reported in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019)

Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Virus. In January, the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, closed. This disease spread worldwide quickly. Many countries went into lockdown. Social distancing and masks were also enforced. Today, there is a vaccination in place. The CDC worked very fast in introducing a vaccine, and to provide the public with their best ideas for prevention. This is current science, and is providing the public with knowledge on pandemics.
(CDC 2022)