Deadliest Enemy

January 30, 2017
Infectious disease remains humankind’s deadliest enemy and the future looks bleak, according to epidemiologist Osterholm and documentarian Olshaker. They lead with a dismal introduction on the threat of epidemics before delivering an absorbing account of how epidemiologists work and a disturbing description of what humans are doing to keep them in business. In the book’s early chapters, the authors relate how epidemiologists have dealt with previous epidemics (AIDS, Ebola, SARS) and achieved a few triumphs (against smallpox and toxic shock), but they largely look ahead. Expanding populations are wiping out jungles and eating its wildlife, encountering new microorganisms and animal-borne diseases in addition to the old ones. Global warming is a bonanza for mosquito-borne infections such as malaria, dengue, and yellow fever. Influenza—from birds and domestic animals—produced the 20th century’s worst epidemic, and humans are more vulnerable to it today. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are poised to spur a looming disaster, with superbugs heralding a “postantibiotic” era within decades. This is a convincing call to arms, among the best of a stream of similar warnings published recently. Urging political leaders to pay greater attention, the authors agree with prior warnings that matters will get worse without vastly more planning, research, and money. Agent: Frank Weimann, Folio Literary.

February 1, 2017
Think the Zika virus and Ebola are bad? As a renowned epidemiologist suggests, those are just previews of coming attractions.Long ago nicknamed "Bad News Mike" for his habit of bringing gloomy tidings from the germ front, Osterholm (Public Health/Univ. of Minnesota; co-author: Living Terrors: What America Needs to Know to Survive the Coming Bioterrorist Catastrophe, 2000) opens with the grim thought that we humans are not necessarily well-prepared to analyze the world of disease that surrounds us. For various reasons, a few cases of Zika make much more news than the far more devastating and widespread dengue virus, which has killed many more people than Zika "with hardly a blip on the public radar." Therefore, in terms of policy, we are not being the most rational actors when we spend $1 billion on an HIV vaccine but only $35 million to $40 million on influenza vaccines; as the author predicts, the next major pandemic "is most likely to come in the form of a deadly influenza strain." Writing in clear if sometimes-belabored prose, Osterholm, with the assistance of Olshaker, looks at some of the worst of the bad actors, showing the economic and social effects of various diseases--effects that may pale compared to his closing scenario, which sets one of those flus in motion and watches as it ravages the world, causing not just mass death, but also the collapses of infrastructure, stock markets, and pretty much civilization itself. Even so, there's some hope in Osterholm's musings, since, he cheerfully remarks, in such a scenario we still wouldn't outdo the devastation of the Black Death of medieval times. Of course, there's always the possibility that Ebola can morph into being transmitted respiratorily, a frightening prospect. A well-rendered work of popular science. If you don't emerge from it as the neighborhood expert on the flu, you skipped a chapter or two. If you emerge unworried, you missed the point.

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February 15, 2017

In the wake of recent outbreaks, including Ebola, MERS, and Zika, it seems important to be more aware of diseases and how they spread in order to combat hysteria. Coauthors Osterholm (McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair, public health, Univ. of Minnesota) and Olshaker, a documentary filmmaker, argue that whatever can be done to prevent the spread of these infectious diseases must be done, and that it is far more important to be proactive rather than reactive when fighting such illnesses. Diseases are also discussed in terms of how they are spread, whether it's through the water supply or by pests such as mosquitoes. An entire educational chapter about mosquitoes and their role in the advancement of several major diseases is informative. This book covers both ancient and recent epidemics throughout the world, using real cases from history and Osterholm's own experiences as examples to illustrate his point. Some illnesses are expected, including the aforementioned Zika, and others less so, including a very interesting chapter on Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) that sheds light on the tampon industry and just how dangerous TSS can be. VERDICT Anyone concerned about recent medical crises will want to pick up this clearly written, compellingly readable work. [See Prepub Alert, 9/19/16.]--Caitlin Kenney, Niagara Falls P.L, NY

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2017
Infectious disease is the deadliest enemy faced by all of humankind. Indeed, no nation, no individual is impervious to the might of pathogenic microbes. AIDS, Ebola, malaria, SARS, toxic shock syndrome, Zika, and TB are just a sampling of the many infectious diseases addressed by Osterholm (an epidemiologist and public-health official) and Olshaker (an author and documentary filmmaker). Epidemiologists function as disease detectives, carefully observing and following the clues. Public-health officials are strategists striving to prevent (or minimize) early or unnecessary disease, disability, and deaths. Foresight and preparation are mandatory in managing outbreaks of contagious diseases. The authors consider antibiotics (the need for new ones, better stewardship of current ones, and problems with resistant bacteria); vaccines (essential and game changing); mosquitoes (dubbed Public Health Enemy Number One ); and bioterrorism (anthrax, smallpox, and plague can all be weaponized). Deserved attention is bestowed upon influenza, which remains a major global-health concern. When sound science and wise health policy come together, an ounce of prevention truly is worth not merely a pound but a ton of cure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)