Jersey Shore Magazine

j e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 2 0 13 Infectious Disease Outbreaks & Pandemics 20th Century - Present of Zika virus transmitted by mosqui- tos in the continental United States. Most Zika virus cases are mild with many infected people not experienc- ing any symptoms. Fever, joint and muscle pain, rash, headache, and red eyes are common symptoms that can last for a few days, but Zika recov- ery is quick and rarely, if ever, fatal. However, Zika can be passed from pregnant women to their unborn fetuses and result in serious birth and brain defects. Unlike West Nile, Zika can be transmitted human-to-human through unprotected sex. The most important precaution to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses is to eliminate standing water. Since mosqui- tos can breed in merely a tablespoon or a bottle-cap full of water, clean out gutters and drains, empty stand- ing water from pool covers or buckets and kiddie pools, change bird bath water frequently, dispose of old tires or anything that can collect water, and ensure all windows and doors have screens in good condition. Wearing clothing that covers exposed skin as well as using insect repellant with DEET can prevent mosquito bites. The 2020 Pandemic's Legacy It remains to be seen what the long-lasting health, emotional, economic, and social effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic will be, but one thing is for sure: future generations will learn about the reality we are currently living. As the curve continues to flatten and hopefully will be eliminated sooner than later, the Jersey Shore with its unmatched resilience and unwavering spirit will undoubtedly emerge from the pandemic stronger and tougher than ever. —Jill Ocone To learn more, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov; the World Health Organization at www.who.int; the New Jersey Department of Health at www.nj.gov/health; the Monmouth County Department of Health at www. co.monmouth.nj.us; or the Ocean County Department of Health at www.ochd.org. Jill Ocone Jill Ocone Covid-19 pandemic. School playgrounds and sports fields were closed everywhere, this one at Ocean Road School in Point Pleasant. 1918-1920: "Spanish Flu" Pandemic, influenza-A, H1N1 (swine flu), air-borne Infections: Worldwide: 500 million Deaths: Worldwide: 20 - 50 million; USA: 675,000 (estimated); NJ: 18,500 (approx.) (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 1957: Asian Flu Pandemic, influenza-A, H2N2 (avian flu), air-borne Infections: Worldwide: 5.5 million Deaths: Worldwide: 1.1 million; USA: 116,000 (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 1968: Hong Kong Flu Pandemic, influenza-A, H3N2 (avian flu), air-borne Infections: unknown Deaths: Worldwide: 1 million (approx.); USA: 100,000 (approx.) (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 1976: Swine Flu Outbreak, influenza-A, sub-H1N1 (swine flu), air-borne Infections: USA/NJ: 13 Deaths: USA/NJ: 1 (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 1980s - present: HIV/AIDS Epidemic, human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, con- tact-to-contact Infections: Worldwide: 75.7 million Deaths: Worldwide: 32.7 million (Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) 1999 - present: West Nile Virus Yearly outbreak, West Nile virus, mosquito- borne Infections: USA: 51,569; NJ: 321 Deaths: USA: 2,387 (Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; New Jersey Department of Health) 2003: SARS Outbreak, severe acute respiratory syndrome, air-borne Infections: Worldwide: 8,098; USA: 29 Deaths: Worldwide: 774 (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 2005-2006: Avian Flu Outbreak, influenza-A, H5N1 (avian flu), air- borne Infections: Worldwide: 187 Deaths: Worldwide: 106 (Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; University of Minnesota) 2007-2008: MRSA Localized outbreak, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, staph bacteria, contact-to-contact Statistics not available; cases not reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009: Swine Flu Pandemic, influenza-A, (H1N1)pdm09 (swine flu), air-borne Infections: USA: 60.8 million Deaths: Worldwide: 151,700 - 575,400; USA: 12,469 (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 2014-2016: Ebola Outbreak, Ebola virus disease, contact-to- contact Infections: Worldwide: 28,600; USA: 11 Deaths: Worldwide: 11,325; USA: 1 (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 2016: Zika Epidemic, Zika virus, mosquito-borne Infections: USA: 1,045; NJ: 200 Deaths: USA: 0 (Source: World Health Organization) 2020: COVID-19 Pandemic, coronavirus, severe acute respira- tory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2), air-borne Infections (as of 9-10-2020): Worldwide: 27,981,242; USA: 6,388,302; NJ: 194,990 Deaths (as of 9-10-2020): Worldwide: 905,851; USA: 191,567; NJ: 14,220 (Sources: Johns Hopkins University; New Jersey Department of Health)

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