Rare and Deadly Diseases: Introduction

Introduction

The media loves a good story—one that's full of gory or otherwise disturbing details and that preys upon people's fears. Outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola, Marburg, and mad cow fit this bill perfectly.

Whereas tuberculosis and hepatitis, diseases that cause far more deaths and sicknesses, rarely get a headline, a single outbreak of any of the diseases discussed in this section will almost always make the front page of your local daily and get a mention (with lots of frightening footage) on the nightly news.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dangerous Diseases and Epidemics © 2002 by David Perlin, Ph.D., and Ann Cohen. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.