Pandemic: How Climate, the Environment, and Superbugs Increase the Risk

by Connie Goldsmith

Overview

Throughout history, several deadly pandemics brought humanity to its knees, killing millions, and recent outbreaks of Ebola and Zika took coordinated international efforts to prevent them from spreading. Learn about factors that contribute to the spread of disease by examining past pandemics and epidemics, including the Bubonic Plague, smallpox Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and Zika. Examine case studies of potential pandemic diseases, like SARS and cholera, and find out how pathogens and antibiotics work. See how human activities such as global air travel and the disruption of animal habitats contribute to the risk of a new pandemic. And discover how scientists are striving to contain and control the spread of disease, both locally and globally.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781512452150
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2018
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	1150L (what's this?)
Age Range:	13 - 14 Years

About the Author

Connie Goldsmith is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a master of public administration degree in health care. She has written numerous books for YA readers and nearly two hundred magazine articles. Her recent books include Kiyo Sato: From a WWII Japanese Internment Camp to a Life of Service (2020), a Junior Library Guild selection; Running on Empty: Sleeplessness in American Teens (2021); Understanding Coronaviruses: SARS, MERS, and the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021); and Bombs Over Bikini: The World's First Nuclear Disaster (2014), a Junior Library Guild selection, a Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, an Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California Distinguished Book, and an SCBWI Crystal Kite Winner. She lives in Sacramento, California. Visit her website at http://www.conniegoldsmith.com/.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Bugs in the News 6

Chapter 2 Bugs on a plane 24

Chapter 3 Climate change, insects, and animals 34

Chapter 4 Disruption of animal habitats 52

Chapter 5 Crowding in Peace and War 66

Chapter 6 Superbugs on the March 78

Chapter 7 Pandemic Influenza 96

Chapter 8 Preventing a Pandemic 108

Source Notes 120

Glossary 125

Selected Bibliography 127

Further Information 129

Index 133

Editorial Reviews

"[A] report-ready resource."—Booklist

From the Publisher

06/01/2018
Gr 7 Up—Goldsmith explores pandemics and their origins, beginning with recent scares and outbreaks that have dominated the news cycle such as the Zika virus and Ebola. The author then moves to the Black Death in the Middle Ages and the early 20th-century flu epidemic and outlines a history of pandemics over time while explaining the science. As a result, this is a scary book. Readers are given detailed information on how climate change and other environmental factors are creating opportunities for superbugs and bacteria to cause an increase in the chances for a potentially contagious illness. The final chapter, "Preventing a Pandemic," gives readers an overview of which activities they can change in their lives to prevent a worldwide outbreak. Goldsmith's writing is accessible and explains scientific terminology throughout. Nearly every spread contains a full-color photograph or diagram. VERDICT Current and detailed, this is an ideal fit for middle and high school libraries.—Kevin McGuire, Woodland Hills School District, PA

School Library Journal

2018-05-28
Experts predict the next pandemic will hit humanity in the coming two to three decades, possibly sooner: What will it be?Science writer and nurse Goldsmith (Addiction and Overdose, 2017, etc.) tackles the world of deadly viruses in her latest volume, outlining many of the exacerbating factors. These include increased travel, climate change, destruction of animal habitats, human conflict and overcrowding, and the overuse of antibiotics. The author is frank in explaining that these human activities that contribute to the risk of another pandemic—quite possibly influenza—are unlikely to change in the near future. She dedicates the final section of the book to covering the plans international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, are setting in place. These strategies vary from the expected (developing new vaccines) to the eye-opening (creating genetically modified mosquitos to combat dengue fever). Ending on a hopeful note, the book describes what readers can do to help. Origin stories about various outbreaks successfully break up the narrative, which takes a matter-of-fact tone when describing subjects that can easily be sensationalized. Frequent text boxes, color photographs, and diagrams provide additional material without disrupting the general flow.An informative, readable text that will appeal to those interested in the subject as well as students seeking material for reports. (source notes, glossary, bibliography, further resources, index) (Nonfiction. 12-17)

Kirkus Reviews