Seven Modern Plagues: and How We Are Causing Them

by Mark Jerome Walters

Epidemiologists are braced for the big the strain of flu that rivals the pandemic of 1918-1919, which killed at least 20 million people worldwide. In recent years, we have experienced scares with a host of new influenza bird flu, swine flu, Spanish flu, Hong Kong flu, H5N1, and most recently, H5N7. While these diseases appear to emerge from thin air, in fact, human activity is driving them. And the problem is not just flu, but a series of rapidly evolving and dangerous modern plagues.According to veterinarian and journalist Mark Walters, we are contributing to-if not overtly causing-some of the scariest epidemics of our time. Through human stories and cutting-edge science, Walters explores the origins of seven mad cow disease, HIV/AIDS, Salmonella DT104, Lyme disease, hantavirus, West Nile, and new strains of flu. He shows that they originate from manipulation of the environment, from emitting carbon and clear-cutting forests to feeding naturally herbivorous cows "recycled animal protein."    Since Walters first drew attention to these "ecodemics" in 2003 with the publication of Six Modern Plagues, much has been learned about how they developed. In this new, fully updated edition, the author presents research that precisely pinpoints the origins of HIV, confirms the link between forest fragmentation and increased risk of Lyme disease, and expands knowledge of the ecology of West Nile virus.    He also explores developments in emerging diseases, including a new chapter on flu, examining the first influenza pandemic since the Hong Kong flu of 1968; a new tick-borne infection in the Mid-West; a second novel bird flu in China; and yet a new SARS-like virus in the Middle East.    Readers will not only learn how these diseases emerged but the conditions that make future pandemics more likely. This knowledge is critical in order to prevent the next modern plague.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Health, Medical

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2014

Reviews

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always find these kind of books throw a huge spotlight onto the failings of our race and how Mother Nature will always fight back and exercise her strengths in batting us back into line when we’re obviously taking liberties and going too far.

Greed, intense agriculture, deforestation, altering ecosystems and natural habitats, global warming and consumer lifestyles being in an age more connected than ever stems more and more infectious diseases, highlighting issues of our increasing populations who will always live alongside terrible plagues and diseases as we continue to dominate the planet in often unsustainable ways.

I found the plagues discussed in this book on topic, eye opening and very interesting, I learnt a lot throughout each chapter and thought it was cleverly written too. This is a huge area of interest to my (hopefully burgeoning) scientific career and continue to be astounded and amazed by Mother Nature and all of the hidden perils that lie within her. It’s amazing how these diseases can arise and infect those around the globe and will take away a widened view of the world from the pages of this book!

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books about plagues are one of my weaknesses. I'm fascinated by the mystery aspect of epidemiology, by the science of discovering the way a new disease works, by the political and social implications of epidemics and pandemics, and by the ways in which individuals respond to outbreaks. This book has the added advantage of examining the way environmental issues lead to new diseases.

The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett really broadened my understanding of modern disease issues, and is my personal high-water mark for gripping narrative. This is more personal, and more tightly focused, but no less readable. I would recommend this particularly to readers not already steeped in the issues or literature, as it would make a great introduction.

Review copy provided by Netgalley.

[Megz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review with quotes can be found at my blog.

Infectious Disease is interesting. In fact, I would wager that it forms at least part of the backbone leading to most medical students deciding to study medicine, regardless of whether or not they end up enjoying ID.

Seven Modern Plagues by Mark Jerome Walters investigates seven diseases causing havoc today. He looks at the circumstances that first brought them to us… and then illustrates how humanity has, in some way or another, influenced their massive growth. For example, the earliest known HIV case was in 1959, so how and why did it reach such large proportions in the 80s… and why do we still see new forms emerging?

This book is one of my favourite kinds of medical writing: it reads easily, but not so easily that it bores me. It has a good combination of things I already know and new information. The writing style is formal: not so academic as to be distant, not so colloquial as to lack respect for its subject matter.

Interesting things I learned included a better definition of prions than med school ever taught me, and the reason why doctors judiciously prescribing antibiotics is not enough to address the rising rate of antibiotic-resistant organisms.

Two things that bothered me: in the chapter on HIV, only one hypothesis is addressed, namely the bush meat hypothesis. And the chapter on Hantavirus is short… and almost feels rushed.

One important thing about Seven Modern Plagues is that it is not a “Green Peace” book. It elaborates on how we contribute to plagues, and how we can change that, but it is not violent in its assertions and it is not a fear monger. That said, the amount of dangerous disease that we do not have under control is quite horrifying. Walters may not be a fear monger, but his book is still terrifying.

This book could be prescribed reading for medical students (and other students in the health sciences). It succinctly explains concepts of vaccines, infectiousness, pathology and epidemiology – the kind of introduction that would prepare a student and light a fire of interest before a rotation commences.

Obviously another concern for me is that the book is very focused on the developed world – with the exception of HIV. Although a lot of its diseases originate from the developing world, it primarily addresses the influence of these “plagues” on the USA. In one sense I suppose that is good, as it refutes the stereotype of ID being the sole problem of developing countries. But in another sense, this whole book is dedicated to illustrating how we are NOT isolated… so I wish it had been more global. For example, in the chapter on West Nile Virus, after elaborating a lot on spread in the USA, Walters writes, “…the virus soon infected larger areas of Europe and Africa, as well as Australia.” And then… left it there. It seems a cop-out, and I yearned for more.

On the whole, though, what makes this book so valuable is that it not simply makes the claim that we are responsible for a lot of our biggest problems – it also meticulously explains why, and so gives us the opportunity to change it.

Thus I recommend this book with highest praise to professionals and students of the health sciences, as well as other role players in politics and public health.

I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Island Press in exchange for an honest review. This has not altered my opinion in any way.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read very many books about sickness, so when a new one comes on the market I'm quick to grab it up and read it. Seven Modern Plagues is definitely one of the better books I've read about sickness in recent years and one that I will definitely be purchasing for myself when it is published.

Seven Modern Plagues focuses on seven major issues that have been afflicting the modern world, such as Salmonella, Lyme Disease, and West Nile Virus, amongst others. This book offers a comprehensive overview of each of the "modern plagues", the ways in which humans have caused them and what we can do, if anything, to prevent ourselves from forming other, similar plagues.

The information in this book is solid and really taught me a lot about the plagues and how we have caused them. I had never actually considered the possibility that certain serious health concerns could be caused by the actions of humans in such things as deforestation. This book will definitely make me look at any new plagues with a critical eye, wondering whether the actions of humans were responsible for the outbreak. Along with containing unique information, this book also contains strong scientific information. The author does a fantastic job of citing scientific studies and health information. I definitely appreciate it when nonfiction books contain strong scientific facts to back up the points being made in the book.

The author in this book is a clear and concise writer. Walters does a wonderful job of getting the point across in an easy to understand way. The author definitely understands how to write in a way that can be understood by a wide variety of people, regardless of their previous knowledge of the information. The author also does a good job of telling stories throughout the book. The way the author gave personal stories of the people who were impacted by the diseases definitely aided in driving the points in the book home.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in books about sickness, especially the ways that sickness is caused by human actions. I would also recommend this book to just a general reader, this is an important book to read so that we can (hopefully) stop anymore plagues before the infect us.

I received this book for review purposes via NetGalley.

[Stephen Simpson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This subject deserves so much better than this.

There wasn't much depth to the sections; a little Googling would get you about as much, if not better, and there was really nothing that went beyond the level of low-level "news magazine" reporting. Frankly, I've seen more detailed and engaging write-ups in places like The Economist.

A lot of it came down to "there's this horrible disease ... I won't bore you with the details about what's truly interesting or different about it, because I don't actually understand the science myself, but you should know it's ALL OUR FAULT and WE'RE PROBABLY ALL DOOMED!"

And the author/text? Oh lordie ... It reads like the author desperately wanted/wants to be a poet or novelist, but can't get anybody to publish him that way, so reads of this are subjected to it. Imagine bad high school lit-mag writing and you'll have the idea.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seven Modern Plagues is a well written book. My problem with the book, is that there are more than seven viruses,STDs, and plagues that are killing people.The seven that the author has written about are written well. Mr. Walters does explain how humans has caused the spread of disease and how we have caused disease. Diseases are evolving everyday and are medicine has to catch up. Overpopulation, antibiotics,what we the animals we eat, air and water quality, and the changing climate are causes to disease also.

[Erica Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came in the mail, rather a surprise, as my 'Blind Date with an Island Press book' web-quiz filled out on a whim had flew from my mind. I have to admit some disappointment at first view, that the 5 question clickhole format placement test didn't pick up on how hip and urban yet humble and eco-friendly I am... That said, I opened the book and was surprised to find in the list a couple 'plagues' I had never heard of - like what is Hantavirus or MERS-CoV? Suddenly, the excitement I felt when opening 'Best Science Essays of 2004' and actually reading it cover to cover, even through the historical surgery biography detailing organ transfers... Anyhow for another review.
In Mark Jerome Walters' update to his previous book, I was pleased to find a compelling synthesis of storytelling and facts. His focus on human's influence and relationship to our living systems made for a cutting emphasis on the negative effects of overproduction and globalization. By the end of the first chapter on the origins of spooky cow behavior, I was telling my friends they ought to give science writing a try. Though it took me a while to finish (during a big move and always reading at least four other books) the concepts and knowledge remain on the fringes of my consciousness as I observe and interact in this modern world.
The author does a great job of bringing very micro details to a macro level - reminding humans that our new normal of first world luxuries and supply chains leaves a much greater impact than we can understand looking at the system all dissected. Why then, would I encourage reading this detailed segment of disease as a pathway to expanding your awareness of global realities? Hantavirus, the one I hadn't heard of, turns out to be a sickness that Navajo elders had a name for since 1919, when an abundance of mice turned up after unusually heavy spring rains. In the chapter for this pulmonary syndrome, the key success of the book takes the front seat - integrating native wisdom with scientific analysis... "What emerged, at least to those who could hold both perspectives, was a powerfully new, encompassing view of humans not as a stand-alone species but as just one species among many in a web of climate, ecology, and intertwined fates." (p. 118)
Bonus - my favorite sentence from a very poetic paragraph pondering how suburbia has contributed to the explosion of Lyme disease: "By what grace, I wondered, have we been kept so well by what we have abused for so long."
Clear, keen, unforgiving reminders of the systems we inevitably are a part of, not apart from, underscore the entire informative book. Broken up into digestible numbered sections within each chapter, the story of each 'plague' is fascinating to follow. The real zingers are in the introduction, epilogue, and the reflections in conversations afterwards where the answers to cures are inextricably linked with huge transformations in all our major institutions and ways of life. Ahhhh just how I like it. Yes, Island Press, this was a successful blind date in which I gave something I try I normally would assume wouldn't get along with my social-sustainability-solutionary-permaculture mindset and the common ground we share turns out to be foundational - our lover Earth. Thank you!

[Bethk · Rating 4 out of 5]

An e-book copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review.

I can think of a one-word summary of this book: Terrifying. The Introduction goes into an overview of how modern life and ways of living, which has greatly extended life as well as the number of people has changed environmental and ecological systems such that the world has become much better suited for large numbers of microbial threats to that life - on an individual, societal, and global scale. Various chapters and the epilogue go into diseases which are on the forefront of news articles and on the popular mind: Pandemic Flu, Mad Cow Disease, Hantavirus, Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus, MERS, and AIDS as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Many more are touched on.

While medicine and microbiology can find treatments and cures for each of these, there is one often-overlooked underlying factor which allows all of these dread-diseases to spring up and threaten humanity: Ecological changes. A major component of that is making one change, which may be beneficial, and all of the cascading effects that change has on plant life, predators, prey, habitat, and balance. Also included are the effects of global travel and climate change on all of these systems, with unintended and unforeseen consequences. This underlying cause is and will be the cause of other bacterial, fungal, or viral diseases which will develop in the future, causing numerous illnesses and deaths before the cause is identified, much less any treatments.

The one thing that I feel this book is missing are suggestions for things we can do, either individually or collectively, that could help stop or slow down this problem, or to protect our own or our family's health from these or other horrible diseases.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not exactly the kind of book you expect to be a real “page turner” but that is exactly what I found. I thought this book was extremely interesting and I learned so much.

The author introduces the book with these words, “The larger story is not simply that humans and other animals are falling victim to new diseases; it is that we are causing or exacerbating many of these ecodemics. Intensive modern agriculture, clear-cutting of forests, global climate change, decimation of many predators that once kept disease carrying smaller animals in check, and other environmental changes have all contributed to the increase. This is not even to mention increased global travel and commerce, which can rapidly spreading many diseases.”

One thing I found particularly interesting is the examples where the FDA has put politics and special interests before the health and well being of the people they serve. It is hard to understand how facts can be ignored and the health of the American people can be superseded by corporate greed and governmental payoffs.

This is a book every American should read. There is much to learn from reading the book. It will scare you, make you mad, and hopefully make you think about your food in a new way. The book is well written and hard to put down. I recommend it to everyone.

I was provided a free copy of this book for review from Island Press and Net Gallery. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Seven Modern Plagues to be well written. It does a good job of walking the line of explaining science fact in a way that is accurate and approachable to all audiences, without making it boring or dry. The book makes its case for how human intervention (feeding animals recycled animal parts, overuse of antibiotics) and resulting environmental changes have put humans at risk for the seven “plagues” detailed. Though the preface starts off with a slightly incendiary tone, it quickly moderates into an enjoyable, if somewhat spooky narrative that keeps the reader’s interest as it informs, makes connections, and explains current hypotheses about the origins and transmission of the plagues.

I thought Seven Modern Plagues to be particularly striking since recently infectious disease have been all over the news, from cases of Enterovirus D68 sweeping through the US, to the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history occurring in West Africa (especially as Ebola is mentioned several times in the book’s introduction, though not one of the seven main plagues detailed). This book highlights the attention that is needed to examine ways that we, the human race, can minimize and mitigate the damage we are causing.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been interested in infectious disease, how they affected human history, and most importantly the threats we are facing today.
The author chose seven modern plagues but could have chosen so many more. I really found the book to be well researched and very informative as well as very well written for readers. It would be a great introduction to those who are unfamiliar with diseases but who want to learn a bit. A few years ago, I read about prion disease in detail and was very impressed with how accurate Mark Jerome Walters was on the topic. It was obvious he did much research and made sure it was accurate and up to date. It really is a must read and a wake up call for all of us. He repeatedly makes the connection that many of these diseases have been caused by our own human behavior whether it be changing the climate or the way we interact with animals or cultivating the land. I really recommend it to anyone who wants to know how and why these diseases are coming to light and why there is a very real threat of a coming plague. I received a copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate Vane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at seven different outbreaks – beginning with BSE and ending with pandemic flu. It does a good job for the general reader in explaining something of the science, the social impact and the causes as we understand them, of these diseases.

The author humanises the stories, showing the passion and commitment of the people working in the field, and most importantly, highlighting the devastating impact on some of the individuals who are infected. There is also some surprisingly (for this kind of book) atmospheric writing about the natural world.

What the book highlights time and again is the impact of human behaviour on disease. While we have good disease control measures in place after an outbreak, the political will isn’t there to make the changes that might prevent them. In particular, climate change and intensive farming place us at risk of future outbreaks.

This is a good introduction for anyone who wants to know more about the subject but feels daunted by more specialist science writing.

*
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.

[Andra Ivanyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A horrifying and fascinating glimpse into just how connected we humans are to everything around us -- for example, to the levels of rainfall and summer heat, to the forests, the deer in them, the ticks on them, the viruses they carry.

Very well researched, Seven Modern Plagues is about revealing all these points of connectedness, referring to victims of various illnesses from the 1950s and earlier. The author does an excellent job of not only compiling relevant information but laying it out in a way that is easily accessible to readers with little scientific knowledge. This is a layman's book, a non-fiction book, but each chapter/plague is described with all the drama and detail of a well-structured thriller ... which is what it really is.

Seven Modern Plagues is essentially informational but it leaves a much deeper imprint on the psyche, reminding us both how incredible the human brain can be, how foolish we have been, and how tied we are to the intricacies of the world around us in ways we don't yet understand. Excellent read. Thank you, NetGalley, for this copy!

[Karen Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As humans we like to think that we're at the top of the food chain, no one messes with us!
Well....this book proves otherwise. Seven Modern Plagues: and How We Are Causing Them gives an overview of the history and progression of, you guessed it, 7 epidemics throughout the world. This book covers HIV/AIDS, West Nile, mad cow disease and others.

I like that this book looks over everything regarding the epidemics; from where the epidemic originated, who patient 0 was, the history of the disease/virus and how humans, the environment and animals transmitted the disease. However, this book only provides what I consider a brief overview of it all and lacks follow-through regarding what modern medicine or preventative measures are being put into play to prevent the spread of these diseases.

All in all, this book gives a solid overview of the 7 modern plagues but fails to go into real depth about each.

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

[M.D. Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book contains a brief but interesting history of seven modern plagues - Mad Cow Disease, HIV/AIDS, Salmonella DT104, Lyme Disease, Hantavirus, West Nile Disease, Bird Flu/Swine Flu, and MERS. It is an easy read without a lot of medical technical jargon. It does a good job of explaining the sources of the diseases and the impact changes in human behavior have had on their spread, especially modern industrial scale farming and their animal feed lots. It debunks conspiracy theories regarding the origins of HIV by citing recent research pointing conclusively to African wild chimps as the source host. Anyone looking for an introduction to or a refresher review of these diseases will benefit from this book. Those looking for a more detailed in depth study of them will likely be disappointed.

I checked out the book from my library.

[Irena Feng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well-written, introducing seven general groups of illnesses that plague humankind and other species as well. The author makes broad connections between ecology and epidemiology that rarely make it to the public eye, and portrays a much larger picture of the interactions between humans and the environment. I particularly enjoyed the last added chapter on influenza viruses, adding a new edge to the flu that we typically dismiss too easily. The discussion from multi-drug resistant Salmonella to emerging forms of HIV told the story of these plagues in layman's terms that made it such an engaging read. The one drawback I felt: while great as an introduction, the book barely dips its toes into more complicated details, providing a broad but shallow analysis of these seven modern plagues.

[Steph Bianchini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Modern Plagues and How We are Causing Them, by the journalist, academic and veterinarian Mark Jerome Walters, is the updated version of his famous and well-regarded Six Modern Plagues and How We are Causing Them, published in 2004.

It is an interesting and well documented book, especially in these times of Ebola emergency.

I have reviewed it at http://earthianhivemind.net/2014/06/2....

[Cristiana]

I received this audio book free from audible. I am fascinated by how our way of living can contribute to issues like disease. This book
focuses on seven current illnesses and how the environment they occur in plays a role. I found the book very easy to follow and the author does a good job laying out what is known about the development of the disease and what makes it challenging to fight.

It's hard for me to rate a book like this but if it's a topic that interests you I recommend it.

[Dconner · Rating 5 out of 5]

How environmental degradation, loss of predators & large-scale domestic animal agriculture are contributing to the outbreak of deadly diseases: Mad Cow disease, HIV, Salmonella, Lyme disease, Hanta virus, Nile virus, and influenza. What makes these diseases even scarier is the threat of antibiotic resistance.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Scary as can be with the history, experiences and science given. Sound theories. Frightening future predictions. Enjoyed immensely. Good narration.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and terrifying at the same time. I was super paranoid for weeks after reading this. I got over it though 😉

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Seven Modern Plagues shares vignettes about scarily common ailments of the modern world that are the result of humans impacting their environment. For example, SARS and AIDS are examples of humans delving further into spaces that were previously wild and also examples of how things can spread so easily in our global community. Other diseases include Hantavirus, Salmonella, Lyme Disease, and Mad Cow Disease.

It's a harrowing book to read as we approach Fall 2020 with COVID-19 still making many of us in the US hunker down at home, and it makes me wonder if there's ultimately anything we can do to slow these disasters of our own making.

[Dominic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written and interesting, but loses a star because it is disjointed in places and Walters often focuses too much on the people rather than the actual diseases.

[SueSue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at emerging infections from an ecological, rather than medical perspective. Novel approach. Nicely done.

[Elizabeth Tai · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I received this ARC from Netgalley. The more I read about this topic, the more, really, I despair at how destructive humankind is. Walters demonstrates how, due to our careless actions (oftentimes motivated by greed and money-hungry motivations) not only are we destroying our environment but ourselves.
Among the diseases highlighted are Mad Cow, HIV/AIDS, Salmonella, Lyme, Hantavirus, West Nile, and pandemic flu. A lot of these diseases would have been avoidable, or would not have reached pandemic proportions if humankind hand only restrained themselves or respected the environment.
Waters doesn't bog the text down with incomprehensible medical jargon; it was very easy to understand the links between disease, lifestyle and the environment.
Highly recommended.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, though it definitely made me more paranoid about life in general. I like how he tied together ecology, medicine and agriculture. It's true that everything on this earth is connected and we can't abuse one thing and not expect it to affect another. There were a few missing pieces, though. Like the chapter about hantavirus didn't ever really explain what the virus is or how you catch it.

[JustHB · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book and very readable, explaning the science and epidemiological side of modern world health. However, I found it didn't go in to sufficient detail with regards to the actual science.