Risky Trade

The current value of global trade has reached a staggering annual figure of $6 trillion in merchandise crossing borders. Such prolific global trading has, at the same time, begun to raise fears of pandemics and concerns for global health. Yet, investment in public health infrastructure and disease control was never designed to cope with international trade of this volume and diversity. Indeed, most health systems lag far behind, especially in poor countries. This has created new vulnerabilities for global populations to the introduction and amplification of infection through trade. Public fears have been further heightened by frightening news reports of deadly diseases such as Mad Cow disease and E. Coli. Risky Trade: Infectious Disease in the Era of Global Trade provides a thorough examination of the actual risks posed by disease in the age of globalization. Drawing on the economics of international trade and epidemiology, the author explores the critical health issues arising from the enormous increase in global trade and travel. Issues covered include: ¢ The scale of the problem with particular reference to the Sakai outbreak of E. Coli; ¢ Risks from particular microbes - Enteric and viral infections; Highly infectious agents; Antimicrobial resistance; and, Stealth agents; ¢ Global outbreaks as a result of human travel and trade; ¢ Prevention, surveillance and control; ¢ The future health of global trading. In addition to highlighting the problems, the book also addresses some of the potential benefits the same globalization can bring to epidemic control through surveillance, diagnostics, treatment and investigation. The empirical approach ties together existing descriptions and case studies of epidemics building a comprehensive framework for examining new events and considering historical experience with infectious outbreaks. The volume will be a valuable guide to students, academics, practitioners, and policy makers in the areas of international trade, health economics, epidemiology, international/public health and disease control.

Dr Kimball is Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, and Director of the APEC Asia Pacific Emerging Infections Network. She is an Adjunct Professor in Medicine with the School of Medicine and she is an attending Physician on staff at Harborview Medical Center. Her research interests are in emerging infections and global epidemic, prevention, surveillance, investigation and control of infectious diseases. In 2000 she was named as a New Century Scholar for Fulbright, and in 2004 she received a Guggenheim Foundation scholar award for her work. She has worked extensively in the areas of trade policy and disease control, and telecommunications and disease surveillance and alert systems. Formerly Dr Kimball served as Regional Advisor, and Head of National Program Support for HIV/AIDS with the Pan American Health Organization (WHO). She has also served as Director of the Washington State HIV/AIDS/STD Program with the State Department of Health, and as Chair of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors in the United States.

Chapter 1 The Global Express; Chapter 2 Elusive Enterics; Chapter 3 New Agents with Speed; Chapter 4 Stealth Agents - Slow and Deadly; Chapter 5 The Global Express and Intentional Harm; Chapter 6 Primary Prevention; Chapter 7 Technical Armor; Chapter 8 Preventing Global Outbreaks; Chapter 9 The Future of the Global Express: Promise or Peril for People?;