Topics focus on health crises affecting the public at large, ranging from epidemic (local) and pandemic (widespread) diseases (H1N1, Malaria, food-borne illnesses, West Nile etc.); chronic conditions such as famine, malnutrition, cancer and diabetes; and social issues such as sexual abuse, obesity, bullying and new substance abuse issues, plus much more. Includes historical information.

Tracing the history of infectious diseases from the Philistine plague of 11th century BCE to recent SARS and avian flu scares, Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence, Third Edition is a comprehensive A-Z reference offering international coverage of this timely and fascinating subject.This updated volume provides concise descriptions of more than 700 epidemics, listed alphabetically by location of the outbreak. Each detailed entry includes when and where a particular epidemic began, how and why it happened, whom it affected, how it spread and ran its course, and its outcome and significance. Black-and-white photographs have been added throughout.