From the plague to cholera – the 4 killer diseases making a comeback in 2024

Outbreaks of Killer Diseases: A Threat to Global Health

JUST two months into 2024 and we’ve already seen outbreaks of several killer diseases – some of which we had already consigned to the history books.

Measles is staging a comeback around the world, with whooping cough not far behind – a retro bug many thought had been vaccinated out of existence a century ago.

There is also a global shortage of the cholera jab and even a case of bubonic plague for one unlucky cat owner in the US.

“In the West we tend think of these diseases as having disappeared,” Professor Tom Solomon, director of The Pandemic Institute, tells The Sun.

“However, they have not gone at all, they are just being controlled by good public health measures,” he adds – life-saving measures that experts warn are waning.

Here, we look at each bug making a re-emergence, where cases are rising, and we ask infectious disease scientists if these outbreaks could become a bigger issue…

1. Measles

Symptoms:

• A high temperature
• A runny or blocked nose
• Sneezing
• A cough
• Red, sore, watery eyes
• Small greyish-white spots on the inside of the cheeks
• A red-brown blotchy rash 

Cases of measles, one of the world’s most infectious diseases, have increased by over 3,000 per cent in Europe in the last year.

More than 30,000 infections were reported between January and October 2023, up significantly from the 941

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content

The specific targets under the mentioned SDGs can be identified as follows:

• SDG 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
• SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Indicators to Measure Progress towards Identified Targets

The article mentions or implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Measles: Increase in cases of measles, vaccination coverage rates, and number of deaths or complications due to measles.
• Whooping cough: Increase in cases of whooping cough, vaccination coverage rates, and number of hospitalizations or deaths due to whooping cough.
• Cholera: Number of reported cases of cholera, availability of oral cholera vaccines, and efforts to curb the spread of cholera.
• Bubonic plague: Number of reported cases of bubonic plague, measures taken to prevent outbreaks, and awareness campaigns on the risks and prevention of bubonic plague.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: thesun.co.uk

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