Please click on a disease for more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Background: Influenza A (H5N1) is a subtype of the Type A influenza virus. Wild birds are the natural hosts of the virus, hence the name avian influenza or bird flu. The virus was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. The virus circulates among birds worldwide. It is very contagious among birds and can be deadly to birds, particularly domesticated birds like chickens.
Infection: The virus does not typically infect humans. In 1997, however, the first instance of direct bird-to-human transmission of H5N1 was documented during an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry in Hong Kong; the virus caused severe respiratory illness in 18 people, of who 6 died. Since that time, there have been other instances of H5N1 infection among humans. (See "Basic Information about Avian Influenza.") But so far, H5N1 viruses have not been capable of efficient human-to-human transmission. This is something that is being watched carefully and is being investigated during this outbreak.
Spread: Infected birds shed virus in saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Avian influenza viruses spread among susceptible birds when they have contact with contaminated excretions. It is believed that most cases of H5N1 infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms of Avian Influenza in Humans:  The reported symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and life-threatening complications.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a type of influenza that typically has been found among the bird population.  Types of avian influenza, specifically subtypes of influenza A, are being monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish if any of these strains may be affecting humans.
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Food-Related Disease
Food-related disease is caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages.  Many disease-causing microbes, or pathogens, can contaminate foods, so there are many different food-related infections.  In addition, poisonous chemicals, or other harmful substances can cause food-related diseases if they are present in food.
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Head Lice
Head lice are parasitic insects that are found on the heads of humans.  Having head lice is fairly common, especially with preschool and elementary-aged children and their families.  Head lice are passed from person to person in a couple ways:  (1) through direct contact with a person who has head lice or (2) through the sharing of hats, clothing, combs, or other personal items or objects such as bedding that have recently been in contact with an infested person.  Treatment usually requires using an over-the-counter or prescription medication accompanied by a thorough cleaning of the household and laundry.
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Hepatitis
There are different types of hepatitis:  A, B, C, D and E.  All are diseases of the liver caused by a virus.  Vaccines are available to protect yourself against hepatitis A and B.
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HIV/AIDS
AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - was first reported in the United States in 1981 and has since become a major worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. People diagnosed with AIDS may get life-threatening diseases called opportunistic infections, which are caused by microbes such as viruses or bacteria that usually do not make healthy people sick.
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Influenza
Influenza (commonly called “the flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Infection with influenza viruses can result in illness ranging from mild to severe and life-threatening complications. An estimated 10% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu each year.  The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall. Symptoms of the flu include fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches.
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Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people.  High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone over the age of 2 years. These symptoms can develop over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days.
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Mumps
Mumps is spread when germs pass from an infected person to the nose or throat of others. Mumps causes fever, headaches, and swollen glands under the jaw. One out of every 10 children who get mumps may develop a mild meningitis, sometimes causing encephalitis. Mumps can also result in permanent loss of hearing.
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Pandemic Flu 
A pandemic occurs when a disease spreads rapidly, affecting most countries and regions of the world.  Flu pandemics have occurred periodically throughout human history – including a major pandemic in 1918, and smaller pandemics in 1957 and 1968. The symptoms of pandemic flu are similar to those of seasonal flu but are usually more severe.  Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of a new flu virus to which few, if any people will have immunity.
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Pertussis (Whooping Cough) 
Pertussis, also called Whooping Cough, is a highly-infectious disease caused by bacteria.  It causes severe spells of coughing.  These spells can interfere with eating, drinking and breathing, and occur more frequently at night.  Pertussis starts like a cold with symptoms of runny nose and an irritating cough.  Within 1 to 2 weeks, the cough develops into coughing fits.  The fits are a series of violent coughs during which the victim struggles for breath.  A gasping for air, which can produce a high-pitched whooping sound, may follow the coughing.  Vomiting sometimes can also occur after a coughing spell. 

Pertussis is spread through the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes.  Other people then breathe in infected droplets, or have direct contact with respiratory secretions of infectious individuals.  Pertussis vaccination is one of the standard vaccinations given to children to prevent spread of the disease, although immunity to the disease can start to wane as children approach their teenage years.  For people who develop the disease, certain antibiotics can be prescribed by a physician to treat the illness.
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Rabies
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.  Rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. The disease remains a potentially serious public health problem in Nebraska, and is of concern to a variety of professional and occupational groups in our state, including physicians, veterinarians, farmers and ranchers.

Most rabies cases each year occur in wild animals like skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes.  Rabies becomes a more serious problem to humans when domestic animals, such as cats, dogs, horses and cattle are found to be rabid.  Vaccinations are used to protect these animals in the event they are exposed to the disease.  If a person is bitten by an unvaccinated animal (wild or domestic), then that person would likely immediately receive a series of rabies shots to avoid possibly developing rabies.
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Ringworm
Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the scalp, the body, the feet, or the nails.  People can get ringworm from: 1) direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or pet, 2) indirect contact with an object or surface that an infected person or pet has touched, or 3) rarely, by contact with soil.  Ringworm can be treated with fungus-killing medicine.  To prevent ringworm, 1) make sure all infected persons and pets get appropriate treatment, 2) avoid contact with infected persons and pets, 3) do not share personal items, and 4) keep common-use areas clean.
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Over the next few months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained.  SARS is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
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Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
Sexually Transmitted Disease, or STD, is a term referring to different diseases that can be spread through sexual contact with an infected person.  Although some STDs exhibit specific symptoms, other STDs can be “silent,” causing no noticeable symptoms.  These asymptomatic infections can be diagnosed only through screening.  If you have questions or think you might have a STD, see your physician or health care provider.
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Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease that is spread from person to person through the air and is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  The bacteria can attack any part of your body, but they usually attack the lungs.  The germs are put into the air when a person with TB of the lung coughs, sneezes, laughs, or sings.  To become infected with TB, a person must be in close contact for a long period of time with someone with active tuberculosis disease.  General symptoms may include feeling weak or sick, weight loss, fever, and/or night sweats.  Symptoms of TB of the lungs may include cough, chest pain, and/or coughing up blood.
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Water-Related Disease
The drinking water supply in the United States is normally safe. Yet diseases that spread through water are still a very real problem.  In the US, contaminated drinking water in homes and businesses is usually a result of water main breaks or other emergency situations. 

With swimming such a popular activity, it is important to know how to protect yourself and your family from recreational water illnesses and help stop germs from getting into the water where you swim in the first place.
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West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is one of a group of viruses spread by mosquito bites.  The virus can cause mild to severe illness.  Most people who get infected do not get sick.  Some get a mild, flu-like illness.  In rarer cases, the virus can affect the brain and spinal cord, and can be fatal.

Stopping mosquitoes is the key to stopping West Nile virus.  Eliminating standing water helps to limit areas where disease-carrying mosquitoes can breed and multiply.  Using insect repellent with DEET is helpful in keeping the biting mosquitoes at bay.
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