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As of September 23, 2024, the past summer months have witnessed what seems like an unrelenting wave of infectious diseases, from bird flu and mpox to dengue and Eastern equine encephalitis, sparking widespread media attention and public concern. Apoorva Mandavilli, a seasoned reporter specializing in science and global health, explores whether this perceived increase in disease outbreaks is as significant as it appears or if heightened public awareness is playing a role.
Throughout the United States, vectors like mosquitoes have transmitted illnesses such as dengue, malaria, and West Nile virus. While dengue showed notable incidences, other diseases like malaria and Eastern equine encephalitis did not see major outbreaks, suggesting that the intense focus on these diseases might be more about increased vigilance than an actual uptick in cases.
Globally, diseases like Oropouche fever made significant impacts in South America, while mpox continued to affect regions in Africa. Concurrently, the persistent threat of bird flu evolving into a pandemic remains a critical concern for health authorities worldwide.
Mandavilli, who contributed to the Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the pandemic in 2021, delves into these complex issues, questioning whether the surge in reported cases is driven by actual increases in disease prevalence or by a newfound societal focus on global health threats, amplified by recent pandemic experiences.
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