Infectious diseases dominate WHO’s list of health threats

While the world is facing many public health threats, the World Health Organization (WHO) has compiled a list of the top 10 threats to global health to focus on in 2019. The list contains a number of serious issues from climate change to inadequate health care facilities. Unsurprisingly, more than half of the list is made up of infectious disease challenges, both emerging and historic. Here is a recap, in no particular order: 1. Global Influenza Pandemic As flu season settles in across the world, many clinicians and patients are questioning just how severe the strains will be this season. The WHO acknowledges that another flu pandemic is unavoidable, but the severity and time frame are unknown. The WHO continues to recommend receiving the influenza vaccine each season and continues to monitor antiviral treatment throughout the world. In August of 2018, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices indicated that vaccination options...