GIDEON (Global Infectious Diseases and EpidemiOlogy Network) is a web
application for diagnosis, simulation and informatics in the fields of
Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, and Clinical Microbiology. The UMHS Anne Ross Library is currently running a trial of this valuable database for the next 60 days for the use of our faculty and students. View the 4.5 minute video 'Introduction to GIDEON' below and then you can go on to view the 5 minute video 'Microbiology in GIDEON'.
You may also view a web Tutorial here. Access through the Library Home Page link to our EBSCO resource subscriptions and login. See the Library Desk if you have forgotten your login. Your feedback is welcome!
While we applaud the hard fought gains against poliomyelitis, new infectious diseases are continuing to emerge around the world and old ones are appearing in new locations. Statistics reveal that 25% of global deaths are attributed to infectious organisms. What’s behind this trend? Has human behavior amplified the problem?
The National Academies, advisers to the government of the United States in science, engineering, and medicine, has created a new website to provide you with dependable, objective, and authoritative information to further understand and answer your questions about infectious diseases. Highlighted are topics related to infection, threats, challenges, and prevention.
"The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC) have conducted numerous studies and workshops on the topic of infectious disease. The information on this site draws from that body of material and on other sources, offering a basic toolkit of facts and concepts to help people understand this complex topic."
Also access more resources from the National Academies, including this companion ebook, as well as other ebooks on important health topics.
The border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is closed due to the fear the Cholera will spread. Hurricane Tomas performed a spectaculor 90 degree turn north and blew across, complicating matters even further. The situation is Haiti is dire indeed! For a global perspective on cholera, a potentially fatal infectious disease, one of the best sources is the GIDEON online database ($). I have included on this blog post the link to the freely accessible GIDEON blog and a recent posting on the global statistics for this disease.
Disease Facts (GIDEON):
Agent: BACTERIUM. Vibrio cholerae. A facultative gram-negative bacillus. Reservoir: Human Vector: None Vehicle: Water Fecal-oral Seafood (oyster, ceviche) Vegetables Fly Incubation Period: 1d - 5d (range 9h - 6d)
Part of the "American Experience" series, this PBS documentary film narrates personal accounts of polio survivors; interviews historians, scientists, and researchers; and is based in part on David Oshinsky's award-winning book Polio in America.
"The story of the polio crusade pays tribute to a time when Americans banded together to conquer a terrible disease. The medical breakthrough saved countless lives and had a pervasive impact on American philanthropy that continues to be felt today."
You are invited to attend this UMHS / IUON Learning Event:
Click the link on the right of the Library Home page, under News & Events to access the latest ARL Resource Sheet: Infectious Diseases, which provides current information and key links on this new virus, as well as other infectious diseases.
With almost 50 reported cases of Dengue Fever in St. Maarten and a few cases confirmed in St. Kitts, it is important for everyone to take measures now to prevent the further spread of this infectious disease! Dengue viruses are mosquito-borne, transmitted during the mosquitos feeding process. The disease is NOT transmitted human-to-human! Kill the mosquitos and you kill the dengue virus!
Classic Dengue Fever or "break bone fever" is characterized by acute onset of high fever, 3-14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Patients develop frontal headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgias, arthralgias, nausea, vomiting, and often a maculopapular rash. Many patients notice a change in taste sensation. Acute symptoms, when present, usually last about 1 week, but weakness, malaise, and anorexia may persist for several weeks. A high proportion of infections produce no or minimal symptoms, especially in children. Treatment emphasizes relief of symptoms, avoiding aspirin and other non steroidal anti-inflamatory medications and encouraging oral fluid intake. Yellow Fever can be distinguished from Dengue by the presence of jaundice.
"The public is being asked to assist with eradication of dengue-carrying mosquitoes after blood tests sent to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in Barbados confirmed there are over two dozen positive cases of dengue fever in St. Kitts/Nevis...It is further reported that notifications of clinical cases continue to be received at the Ministry’s Health Information Unit which means that the mosquito that spreads the dengue viruses remains highly active."
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