Michigan State Model United Nations | Session XVII
March 17 – 19, 2017
World Health Organization
Background Guide
Chair
Kayla Weaver
Assistant Chairs
Anthony Nguyen, Lauren Towner
Michigan State Model United Nations | Session XVII
Delegates,
Welcome to the World Health Organization for MSUMUN XVII!
The Dais is very excited to meet you and see how you will address some of the health issues affecting
the world today. The issues we will be looking at as a committee are the Zika virus, woman's health education,
and foodborne illness. These issues affect the global community not just when dealing with health, but touch on
other aspects as well.
Kayla Weaver-Chair
I am a senior here at Michigan State University, and I am majoring in Chemistry with a minor in
Pharmacology and Toxicology. I am from Flemington, New Jersey. I have been doing Model United Nations
for 8 years. I competed all through high school and my first year of college. I also have been doing MSUMUN
for the past four years; I have been a part of the logistics and technology team, was an Assistant Chair for the
WHO, and Chair for the Legal Committee. My favorite part of MUN is being able to take my science
background and apply it to global issues.
Lauren Towner-Assistant Chair
Hi everyone! My name is Lauren, and I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am a sophomore at MSU,
and I’m majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a Pre-Med track and minoring in German. I have
been involved in Model UN since my freshman year of high school. Last year, I competed on MSU’s
competitive MUN team and was a junior staffer for Habitat III, a committee on sustainable development. My
favorite part about MUN is the opportunity to discuss global issues from varying perspectives and to meet new
people! I’m particularly interested in the World Health Organization, because in the future I would like to study
medicine or conduct medical research. When I’m not busy with schoolwork or MUN, I love watching Game of
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Thrones and hanging out with my cat, Mr. Spoon. My favorite sport to play and watch is hockey, and last
summer I saw the Stanley Cup. I am so excited for MSUMUN XVII, and I have been preparing for months for
the conference! I can’t wait to hear the innovative solutions your delegations have created regarding the topics
chosen for this year’s World Health Organization. Good luck preparing!
Anthony Nguyen-Assistant Chair
Hello! My name is Anthony Nguyen, and I’m a freshman at Michigan State. This is my first year being
involved with MSUMUN, but I’ve previously had experience with other Model UN conferences while in high
school. My major is Genomics and Molecular Genetics through the Lyman Briggs College with a minor in
Computer Science. I’m from West Bloomfield, Michigan, about an hour’s drive from East Lansing. My favorite
part about MUN is its ability to pull the real world into perspective. For me, as a science and math focused
person, global politics and events can seem like a world away; MUN helps bridge that gap. Aside from MUN, I
do undergraduate research through the Honors College, and participate in HStar, HCAB, First Generation
Honors Organization, ACIV, and recently lost in playoffs for intramural ultimate frisbee (SWAT TEAM).
Between classes, clubs, and work, I spend my time pretty much either gaming (Smash Bros., anyone?) or eating
(Bubble Island- get some bubble tea after this!).
If you have any questions before the conference feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I cannot
wait to read your position papers and meet you all at MSUMUN XVII.
Kayla Weaver
Chair
World Health Organization
[email protected]
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Topic 1: Zika Virus (ZIKV)
Introduction
On February 1st, 2016, the World Health Organization declared a health emergency from the clusters of
microcephaly and other neurological disorder cases. Microcephaly is where the head is smaller than normal and
babies usually have smaller brains that are not developed properly. These cases were from the spread of the
Zika Virus in Latin America and the Caribbean. On November 18th, 2016 the World Health Organization ended
the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), however there are still more locally acquired
cases of Zika appearing. While the WHO does not classify Zika as a PHEIC anymore, it still views the Zika
Virus as a public health issue that needs to be addressed and understood. Currently, the virus has spread into
Africa, Asia, and further into the Americas.
The Disease and Other Flaviviruses
The Zika Virus is of the Flavivirus genus, along with other viruses like Yellow Fever, Dengue, and West
Nile. The Zika Virus itself is mainly spread by mosquitos, though it can be transmitted from mother to
offspring, through blood transfusions and sexually. The virus has been isolated in sperm and also found in the
blood, urine, amniotic fluids, saliva, and fluids in the brain and spinal cord. In mosquitos, it is spread by
females, as they are the ones who bite humans. There are two genetic lineages of the virus: an African and
Asian strain. The Asian strain is the one responsible for the 2007 epidemic on Yap, the Federated States of
Micronesia, which then spread to French Polynesia and other countries in the South Pacific. It also caused large
epidemics in 2013 and 2014, and found its way to the Americas in 2015. It is also currently the strain in Cape
Verde, which means that the Asian strain could soon affect African countries, as well.
The total number of cases of Zika is hard to determine, due to the fact that 80% of cases do not show
any symptoms. It is known that individuals with compromised immune systems are more at risk. The symptoms
of Zika include fever, lethargy, eye pain, conjunctivitis (pink eye), rash, muscle aches, and arthralgia (joint
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pain), all of which last about two to seven days. However, these symptoms are similar to another virus in the
same area, leading to problems in the ability to diagnose. One of the signs that first hinted at a problem was the
approximate 20-fold increase of microcephaly, small heads in newborns, in Brazil and Colombia from 2014 to
2015. There is also a possible link between Guillain-Barre Syndrome (where the immune system attacks the
nerves) and microcephaly to the Zika virus based on cases and preliminary research, however, due to the lack of
research, this contention is truly unknown. This link has been shown in past outbreaks and there have been
some reports of other neurological disorders, as well.
There are two types of mosquitos that carry the virus: Aedes and Culex Quinquefasciatus. The Aedes
mosquitos can be broken into two groups: Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus. The Aedes mosquitos are
weak fliers, as they can only fly about 400 meters; however, they can be transported accidentally. Aedes
Aegypti live in tropical and subtropical regions and breed in still waters, thus floods can lead to an increase in
their breeding. The Aedes Albopictus transmit and hibernate to survive in cooler temperature regions. Aedes
Mosquito feed on multiple hosts, which leads to an increase in spread. Zika has been found in Culex
Quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, however it has been found that they are not able to transmit the virus.
History & Past Outbreaks
The Zika Virus has been known for over 70 years and has a long history. In 1947, the first case of Zika
was found in the Zika Forest in Uganda in a rhesus monkey; in 1948, it was found in mosquitoes in this forest.
The primary spread of the disease was between primates and mosquitoes; Zika did not cross over to humans
until 1952, when the first human cases were reported in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Between
the 1960s and 1980s, human cases were confirmed through a blood test; no deaths or hospitalization were
reported, however humans had widespread exposure to the virus. During this time the virus moved from
Uganda to Western Africa and Asia; the virus was found in mosquitoes in equatorial Asia (including the
countries of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan). There was no large scale human outbreaks of the virus
until 2007.
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In 2007, there was the first large outbreak in humans, which this happened in Yap in the Federated
States of Micronesia. Before this, there had only been 14 cases of Zika in humans with no hospitalizations.
About 73% of the residents of the island were infected with the Zika virus. Overall, there was a lack of
immunity to the virus; regular exposure to the virus by the populations in Africa and Asia may have prevented
large outbreaks previously. There is also the possibility that because of its likeness to dengue and chikungunya,
there may have been other cases of Zika that were misdiagnosed. In 2008, the first case of sexually transmitted
Zika was reported. In 2012, the two distinct lineages were discovered. From 2013 to 2014 there were four
outbreaks on different Pacific Islands, including French Polynesia, Easter Island, The Cook's Island, and New
Caledonia, with a possibility of neurological and autoimmune complications seen with possible links to the
disease. It was also determined in 2014 that Zika can be passed through blood transfusions. This all leads up to
the most current outbreak, which was first documented in 2015.
Current Outbreak
On the 29th of March, 2015, Brazilian government reported illnesses with skin rashes in the northeastern
part of the country. Blood tests were taken with 13% of them being positive for dengue; at this point in time,
tests for Zika were not administered. It was not until the 7th of May that the Zika virus was confirmed to be in
Brazil; on July 17th neurological disorders were reported to be attributed to Zika. The reason that they started
testing for Zika was due to the fact many of the symptoms were those not seen in dengue or other flaviviruses.
In October of the same year, the governments of Cape Verde and Colombia confirmed outbreaks. Then, in
November 2015, the nations of Suriname, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, and The Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela all reported cases of locally acquired Zika infection. It was also discovered at this point
that Zika was present in the amniotic fluid of those infected and could be transferred to newborns. In December,
it was reported that locally acquired Zika infections were found in Panama, Honduras, French Guiana,
Martinique and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Then, in January of 2016, twelve more countries or
territories reported locally acquired Zika including the Maldives, Guyana, Ecuador, Barbados, The Plurinational
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State of Bolivia, Haiti, Saint Martin (France), the Dominican Republic, St.Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands),
Nicaragua, Curacao, and Jamaica. In February 2016, seven more were added to the list of locally acquired Zika:
Samoa, Bonaire, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Sint Maarten (Netherlands), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
and Argentina. On March 3rd, more locations were added to the list including Kosrae of the Federated States of
Micronesia, Dominica, and Cuba. In April, Viet Nam, Saint Barthelemy and Peru all reported local transmission
cases. In July, Guinea-Bissau reported the discovery of mosquitoes infected with the Zika virus. By August,
there were at least 30 different entities working on a Zika vaccine. Since the beginning of the outbreak in 2015,
there have been fifty-five Zika diagnostic tests developed, some of which have received regulatory approval.
Cure, Vacancies, and Prevention
Currently, the best protection against Zika is to avoid being bitten and eliminating the breeding grounds
of the mosquitos. At the present time, there is no clinically approved medicine for any flavivirus, however, four
different flaviviruses have effective vaccines, and therefore, it is possible to make a vaccine for Zika. One of
the possible preventive measures being tested is to have the wild form of Aedes Aegypti breed with Wolbachiainfected Aedes Aegypti. Wolbachia is a bacterium that is present in 60% of insects naturally, but not Aedes
Aegypt. The intention is for bacterium to stop the replication of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses inside
the mosquito. This bacterium is then passed on to the next generation and works to make the mosquitoes less
harmful to humans. This treatment has been used in Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and Viet Nam. Another
Preventive method being tested is the use of Oxitec Transgenic Mosquitoes, which work to reduce the
population of mosquitoes. In this method, only males are released into the affected neighborhoods, who carry a
gene that prevents offspring from surviving to maturity. This was tested in Brazil, the Cayman Islands, and
Panama; it was shown to reduce mosquito populations by up to 90%. This method is currently waiting for FDA
approval in order to be tested in the United States of America. Both methods have been shown to help reduce
the population of Aedes Aegypti, but it is unknown if either help to reduce the spread of the disease on a large
scale. Another prevention method is Aerial Sprays, which can kill insects without harming fish or animals,
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however it can affect bees. However, the lack of mosquitos can be detrimental to the ecosystem, due to the fact
that they are prey at both the larvae and adult state for many birds and fish, thus removing them can affect the
food chain.
Currently, Zika is diagnosed by an RT-PCR immunoassay (test to identify different proteins through
antigens or antibodies), in order to detect ZIKV RNA, virus proteins, and the live virus that this test is sensitive
to. Another method is to look for ZIKV linked antibodies, however, other flavivirus can cause these antibodies
to appear. One thing causing problems in the ability to combat the virus, is that there is still a lot unknown about
the virus and how it spreads. This is partly due to the fact that there is a severe lack of research, which is in turn
due to a lack of funding for said research.
The World Health Organization has put together a list of global problems that it wishes to address. One
of these issues is that of the potential for a greater spread of Zika internationally due to the large distribution of
mosquitoes that can transmit the virus. Also, the lack of immunity in populations allowing for the disease to
spread at a fast pace in places where it is occurring for the first time causes problems in containing it. Lastly, the
absence of specific treatments, vaccines, fast diagnostics tests, poor sanitation, and health services in the
affected areas also give rise to the spread of the disease.
Blocs
The Americas
47 countries and territories in the Americas, as of November 3rd, have reported cases of locally acquired
Zika. The Pan-American Health Organization is working with the WHO in order to work on the response to
Zika, in particular they are focused on detection, prevention and research.The Pan American Health
Organization has sent mission with experts to support countries affected.
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Europe
Currently, the European Regional body of the World Health Organization is working on building a
system of disease surveillance lab testing and communication to prevent and quickly contain any Zika outbreak
that may occur in the region.
Eastern Mediterranean
The Eastern Mediterranean regional body of the World Health Organization has created a preparedness
plan. It is working to improve coordination for better preparedness and response to an outbreak, to allow for
better identification of cases, especially at international points of entry. It also is working to fix gaps in regional
knowledge with research on the disease.
Western Pacific
The Western Pacific Regional body of the World Health Organization has sent out to member countries
some goals in order to better address its Zika problems. This includes building on current surveillance systems
to better identify cases, as well as strengthening or create systems for caring for, supporting and provide
services for those affected by the virus. Lastly, there is a desire to increase the amount of research being done
on the virus and determine a long-term strategy to deal with the virus.
Questions to Consider
1. What type of prevention method should be used?
2. Should different ones be used in different areas?
3. Should stopping the spread of the disease be valued over environmental concern?
4. Should vaccines be used in the prevention?
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5. How can the World Health Organization work to better combat future outbreaks of Zika and other
Flaviviruses?
6. What can be done for those pregnant and living in an area where Zika is currently or probable to occur?
7. What can be done for those who have compromised immune systems and are at increased risk?
8. How can the spread of the disease be best limited?
9. How can the transport of mosquitoes be limited?
10. Should all Flaviviruses virus be tested for when one virus is tested for?
What to Include in a Resolution
1. How treatment, research, and prevention be funded
2. How to best delegate research and push for an increase in research in order to learn more about the virus
3. How to prevent the spread
4. What can be done for those already affected
5. How to get more groups working on understanding Zika and other Flaviviruses
6. Preventing an increased spread of disease
7. Treatment for those currently affected
8. Action Plans for future outbreaks
Works Cited
"Current Zika Transmission." European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. N.p., 26 Nov. 2016. Web.
02 Dec. 2016. <http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/zika_virus_infection/zika-outbreak/pages/zikacountries-with-transmission.aspx>.
"Facts about Microcephaly." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 25 July 2016. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/microcephaly.html>.
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"How Does Zika Virus Shrink a Baby’s Brain and Other FAQs." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/zika-virus-faqs-ultrasound-detection/>.
Mitchell, Cristina. "PAHO WHO | Zika Virus Infection." Pan American Health Organization / World Health
Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11585&Itemid=41688&lang
=en>.
Search Results U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "APPENDIX K4. Environmental Effects of Mosquito Control."
(n.d.): n. pag. 2004. Web. 2 Dec. 2016. <https://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/donedwards/CCPPDFs/Appendix-K4_EffectsofMosquitoControl.pdf>.
"Zika." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Nov.
2016. Web. 02 Dec. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/zika/>.
"Zika Virus and Complications." WHO Western Pacific Region. WPRO | WHO Western Pacific Region, n.d.
Web. 02 Dec. 2016. <http://www.wpro.who.int/outbreaks_emergencies/zika_virus/en/>.
"Zika Virus and Potential Complications." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web.
02 Dec. 2016. <http://www.who.int/features/qa/zika/en>.
"Zika Virus Outbreak Global Response." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02
Dec. 2016. <http://www.who.int/emergencies/zika-virus/response/en/>.
"Zika Virus." WHO/Europe. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/emergencies/zika-virus>.
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Topic 2: Women's Access to Healthcare
and Health Education
Introduction
Women and girls face disadvantages and discrimination that restrict their ability to access health care.
The World Health Organization has established four sociocultural factors that prevent women from seeking
health services: (1) the unequal power dynamic between men and women, (2) social and cultural standards that
devalue the importance of educational and employment opportunities for women, (3) restricting women to only
reproductive roles, and (4) the threat and occurrence of physical, sexual, and emotional violence.
Women who live in poverty are far more likely to encounter any of the four sociocultural factors that
inhibit their access to medical care. In 2015, Japan had the highest women’s life expectancy at 86.8 years old,
while Sierra Leone’s was 50.8 years old. In fact, the WHO African Region has the lowest women’s life
expectancy at 58 years, compared to the global average of 73.8 years. This wide margin emphasizes the
growing global inequality of women’s healthcare. To close this gap, the World Health Organization hopes to
increase its humanitarian efforts by providing access to and education about noncommunicable diseases and
reproductive and maternal health.
Noncommunicable Diseases
Noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, are the leading cause of death in women, totaling 18 million
deaths each year. Although there are many noncommunicable diseases, every country, whether high income or
low income, is affected. Women living in middle to low-income situations are more likely to experience traffic
accidents, use of tobacco products, and substance abuse, especially in the WHO African Region. In Europe and
the Americas, 50% of women experience health complications due to obesity.
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Financially, many families cannot afford medical costs associated with NCDs. In fact, some families
cannot even afford the transportation to medical centers that see patients with NCDs. In some instances,
women lack control over the family’s resources and finances, which inhibits their ability to pay medical costs.
For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa many women live on less than $1 a day and prioritize their family’s well
being over their own.
Because women are valued for their reproductive roles in some cultures, men may not see the
importance of seeking medical attention for NCDs. Even if health care services are accessible and affordable,
male family members may prohibit women from utilizing them, and in some cases threaten or exhibit violence.
In addition, many women lack health literacy, meaning they do not have the basic educational background to
make medical decisions. Lack of education also contributes to the negative stigma of NCDs in communities,
often leading to discrimination in employment, insurance, educational opportunities, and other areas of life.
Geographical barriers can also prevent women from receiving health care for NCDs. Living in rural
settings inhibits a woman’s access, especially if she is prohibited from using the family’s mode of
transportation. Women who choose to travel alone can become victims of sexual, physical, and emotional
violence, and therefore may deem the journey too unsafe and not worth the risk.
Reproductive and Maternal Health
In women between the ages of 15 and 44, one third of health problems are caused by reproductive
issues. Of these, 287,000 deaths occur per year as a result of birth complications, with 99% of cases occurring
in low income countries and more than 50% occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. A majority of these deaths are
due to the lack of basic family planning services and education in nations around the world. In low income
nations, many women do not have access to contraceptives and cannot delay or stop the childbearing process,
even if that is something they wish to do. In fact, WHO research shows 255 million women would like to use
contraceptives, but do not have access to them. As a result, many unintended pregnancies lead to unsafe
abortions. Even if access to contraception is possible, many women are hesitant to use it. Cultural and religious
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opposition and fear of side effects can prevent women from trying contraceptives. Providing educational
services proves to be the most effective way of helping women understand and choose contraceptive measures.
When used properly, contraception also can prevent sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. Although
contraception is usually readily available in high income countries, STIs are a prevailing issue in all nations.
STIs can have significant health consequences for women, including infertility and mother-to-child
transmission. In 2012, 900,000 pregnant women were infected with syphilis, and 350,000 of these births had
defects, were infected with syphilis, or were stillborn. The World Health Organization has found that education
is the most effective tool in preventing STIs, but so far, efforts have been insufficient. In many nations, STI
screening for women is not offered under the primary health care provider. Additionally, places that do provide
STI screening for women are often understaffed and rely on physical signs of STIs as their primary method of
diagnosis. However, most STIs are asymptomatic and require specialized laboratory technologies to detect,
which are expensive and most health care practices cannot afford. In terms of preventative measures, vaccines
for hepatitis B and HPV exist and are highly effective. However, distributions of the vaccines are limited and
most women do not have access to them.
Blocs
Africa
Recognizing that they stand behind high income countries in terms of women’s health, the African
Region of WHO strives to educate the community and healthcare providers on the social and biological
differences between men and women. So far, the African Region has pushed to include more sex-specific
clauses in its resolutions and has been successful in this matter. However, HIV, pregnancy complications, and
birth complications are still a major problem, and the rates of NCDs are increasing and disproportionately
affecting women. The African Region would like to see an increase of access to nutritional foods, access to
family planning, and the development of an extensive reproductive healthcare network. In addition, in order for
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women to be recognized as crucial social and economic members of their communities, sociocultural views of
women must change to empower women across Africa.
Europe
The European Region is most concerned about socioeconomic discrimination, domestic violence, and
sexual violence towards women. Recognizing that one in five women have been victims of domestic violence,
the European Region wishes to establish readily available institutions that will provide medical attention to the
victims. In addition, rates of smoking and HIV in women are steadily increasing across the region. Remarking
that women make up the majority of the unemployed population and earn 15% less than men, the European
Region is concerned that socioeconomic discrimination affects women’s access to healthcare.
Questions to Consider
1. What steps can the WHO take to empower women and improve their socioeconomic positions in
communities?
2. How can contraception be widely distributed?
3. How can contraceptive measures be provided in countries with religious or cultural opposition?
4. What sources of funding will provide financial support?
Works Cited
"Data and Statistics." WHO/Europe. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-determinants/gender/data-and-statistics>.
"Gender in Health and Development." WHO EMRO. WHO, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.emro.who.int/entity/gender/index.html>.
"Life Expectancy in Birth (years), 2000-2015." WHO. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/mbd/life_expectancy/atlas.html>.
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"Life Expectancy." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.who.int/gho/mortality_burden_disease/life_tables/situation_trends_text/en/>.
"Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web.
02 Dec. 2016. <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs110/en/>.
"WHO | Women and Health." WHO | Women and Health. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.who.int/gho/women_and_health/en/>.
"Women's Health." South-East Asia Regional Office. World Health Organization, South-East Asia Regional
Office, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016. <http://www.searo.who.int/topics/women/en>.
"Women's Health." Women's Health - WHO | Regional Office for Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.afro.who.int/en/womens-health.html>.
"Women's Health." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs334/en/>.
"Women's Health." WPRO. WHO Western Pacific Region, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.wpro.who.int/topics/womens_health/en/>.
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Topic 3: Food Borne Illnesses
Introduction
Foodborne illnesses or disease refers to any illness or sickness caused by the consumption of food
spoilage or contamination. This contamination usually results from the presence of dangerous bacteria, viruses,
and parasites. Foodborne illnesses can also be caused by contamination, referring to both toxins and chemicals.
Due to the necessity of food, foodborne illnesses are present in all parts of the world, but are also easily
preventable.
The promotion of food hygiene and safe preparation is the essential goal of those seeking to prevent
foodborne illnesses. Food hygiene itself is defined as measures taken to ensure safety from production to
consumption of food, and as such it is important to take the necessary precautions during all possible points of
contamination. Both the promotion of safe food handling and the implementation of policies to prevent these
types of diseases are vital to combating this problem.
Background
At its core, food contamination has two major causes: the presence of harmful microorganisms or the
presence of toxic chemicals. Reports state that almost one in ten people fall ill to foodborne diseases yearly,
with the rate being substantially higher amongst younger children. More than 250 different types of foodborne
diseases exist, with each having more variations based on the types of chemicals and mutation of
microorganisms. Various microorganisms can cause contamination of the food supply, with big names
including E. coli, salmonella, toxoplasma, norovirus, campylobacter, Listeria, and Clostridium. These seven
microorganisms make up approximately 90% of pathogen-caused food illness. This statistic is only based on
reported cases; because the symptoms of foodborne illnesses can vary from extremely minor, such as a night of
stomach discomfort, to extremely severe, minor cases often fall by the wayside, and go unreported and origin
unknown. Microorganisms can enter the chain anywhere between harvesting to preparation and consumption.
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Each different microorganism represents a different threat and possible symptoms to a consumer, but most share
a list of common symptoms, described below.
The main symptom of food poisoning or illness is a diarrhea of some sort; it can be accompanied with
common symptoms, such as an upset stomach, vomiting, and cramps. Again, these symptoms vary on a caseby-case basis, based on specifically what organism or chemical may have caused the food poisoning. In some
cases, based on the origin’s severity, the symptoms can intensify enough to cause more critical symptoms, such
as difficulty swallowing, high fevers, kidney failures, blurred vision, and death. These symptoms are caused by
the invasion of the harmful microorganism or toxin into the gastrointestinal tract; because of the ease of entry of
potentially dangerous entities, foodborne illnesses are a public health concern, no matter location.
Foodborne illnesses are not regional issues; because of the development of the global market and the
procurement of food all around the world, ensuring that a single meal in one country is safe for consumption is
a combination of various food safety measures from all over the world. Taking a steak meal made in the United
States as an example, there are various points of entry that must be addressed. Even if the raw meat is superbly
butchered and inspected in a country of origin, such as China or Japan, while being shipped to the United States
or prepared in a kitchen, there still exists many points in which dangerous toxins and viruses can enter the
system.
Of course, statistics vary from area to area. Generally, young children and those in low-income areas are
most susceptible to food poisoning and any severe symptoms that may be caused. This comes as a result of
developing immune systems in young children, putting them at a greater risk to symptoms that could be minor
for adults, but could be very severe for these children; for those people in low-income areas, food that they
consume may be underprepared or prepared in
poor environments, unsafe water resources, and
poor implementation of food hygiene policies.
In 2015, a report conducted by the WHO
was released, dividing countries and regions into
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five categories, labeled A-E. Category A represented very low child/adult mortality, B was low child/very low
adult mortality, C was low child/high adult mortality, D was high child/adult mortality, and E was high
child/very high adult mortality. Those considered to be developed countries generally show themselves in the
A/B category, while developing countries found themselves hovering in the D-E categories.
Global estimates were also prepared in 2010 to assess the extent. Using 31 different diseases grouped
under the title of foodborne illnesses, approximately 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses were noted; this
does not include unreported cases and misdiagnoses of a victim’s symptoms to an alternate source. In addition,
420 million cases of death by foodborne illness were reported. Diarrheal diseases were the most prolific cause,
and in many areas, the majority of the cases were children under the age of five, with an estimated third of the
deaths being these children. The diseases were also significantly more widespread when low-income areas in
various regions were studied.
Due to the involvement of humans, foodborne illnesses have evolved from being a solely-natural
problem. Food safety under threat from zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance, created by genetically modified
organisms (GMOs).
Zoonoses, or zoonotic diseases, are diseases that can be transmitted from animal to human by direct or
indirect contact. People are most at risk when interacting with the animals themselves, but zoonoses can also be
transferred by indirect contact, such as consumption of meat or eggs, or being present in their environments. As
such, many foodborne illnesses can also be ascribed to the category of zoonoses. Zoonotic and foodborne
illnesses can be caught during slaughter and preparation of food, though the chance of acquiring a zoonotic
disease during consumption is significantly lower. However, there are various ways that the proliferation of
zoonotic diseases can be limited, including limiting the amount of people directly involved in handling and
preparing food, and the use and care of healthy animals.
GMOs have become an integral part of the food chain for humans. Driven by the immense need for food
all around the world, organisms such as plants and animals have been modified to produce more food at a rapid
pace. In addition to genetic modification, antimicrobial resistance is causing the proliferation of certain
foodborne illnesses. Animals are fed certain antibiotics to combat dangerous microorganisms in the system so
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that they are removed during preparation; however, strains of bacteria and viruses that survive the antibiotics
grow stronger as a result, and thus slowly gain immunity to current antibiotics meant to kill them. This causes
the strength of certain strains of foodborne illnesses to survive and prosper, which require more attention to deal
with due to their specific immunity. GMOs thus become a chance to either halt or increase the proliferation of
foodborne diseases.
Blocs
Africa
The African region has the highest incidence and highest death rates in official reports on global
foodborne illness. Following the common trend, children under five years of age suffered the most from
foodborne illnesses. Approximately 91 million people in Africa suffer illnesses every year, with about 137,000
deaths. Salmonella is the largest cause of death in Africa, closely followed by the pork tapeworm. Chemical
hazards make up a fourth of food-related deaths, and a particular form of paralysis called Konzo is unique to the
region. Due to the African environment and the lack of safe food supplies, 60% of Africa’s food supply is
imported. In addition, there is no food hygiene system currently in place, adding to the risk of foodborne
illnesses already made present in Africa’s water and crop supply.
Americas
In the Americas, approximately 77 million people fall ill, with more than 9000 deaths. About 31 million
of these 77 are children under five, with more than 2000 deaths. Diarrheal diseases account for about 95% of
foodborne illnesses, with E.coli and norovirus being two of the top causes. E.coli is present in various food
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supply chains in the United States; with the Americas being huge importers, there are various points of
contamination that can occur.
South-East Asia
In addition to the presence of foodborne illnesses in Southeast Asia, the region additionally suffers from
falsification of food data. This falsification involves the adding or substituting of banned substances into
otherwise “healthy” foods. These substances can include solid ingredients or even food coloring to make food
look healthier. Due to the common diet of the SEA region, there is also a myriad of foodborne illnesses that
arise from fish or wild mushrooms, especially during monsoon season. The largest cause of foodborne illness in
the SEA region is the Campylobacter species, and overall approximately 150 million illnesses were recorded in
2010.
Europe
The European region was estimated to have the lowest burden of foodborne illnesses on average, with
approximately 22 million people suffering sickness and about 5000 deaths. This likely comes as a result of the
European region being mostly composed of developed countries. As of a report in 2015, foodborne illnesses
have been on the rise in the region; the European Union has since adopted strategies of risk assessment and risk
management to combat foodborne illnesses. These include restrictions when handling common sources of highpopulation diseases such as Salmonella; these restrictions usually involve poultry and eggs.
Eastern Mediterranean
Statistics on foodborne illnesses are difficult to acquire in this region, due to the fact that many countries
lack adequate systems of detecting and tracking foodborne illness, despite efforts to update food hygiene laws.
However, there appears to be a decline in cases in the region, due to the fact that various interventions, such as
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increased sanitation and vaccination, are occurring. Because of the lack of suitable farmland, the Eastern
Mediterranean region relies heavily on food imports, which places an increased emphasis on global food
hygiene laws and the need for enforcement.
Western Pacific
In the Western Pacific region, about 125 million people fall ill due to foodborne diseases, with 50,000
deaths. 40 million of these illnesses are children under five. In addition to the basic statistics on illness, the
Western Pacific region is the one most affected by foodborne parasites, and its leading cause of foodborne
illness is aflatoxin, a family of toxins found in agricultural crops that, on record, cause a nearly-fatal liver
cancer; this differs from all other regions, which have diarrheal diseases as leading causes.
Questions to Consider
1. What stages should be taken to ensure the safety of food consumption?
2. How effective can you make the promotion of food safety?
3. What is the best way to address those at severe risk, such as the young and those in low-income areas?
4. How does the presence of genetically-modified organisms alter the field of food safety and the
proliferation of foodborne illnesses?
5. How could a way be developed to distinguish zoonoses and foodborne illnesses, and how can both be
combatted?
What to Include in a Resolution
● Who will fund this research
● Who would promote the safety of food hygiene
● Recommending the use for or against GMOs
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● Ways to limit the entry of dangerous toxins and microorganisms into the food chain
● Inclusion of ways to combat the most prevalent disease sources (i.e. E. coli or salmonella)
Works Cited
"About Foodborne Illness." Foodborne Illness : Food Poisoning. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.foodborneillness.com/>.
Burden of Food Borne Diseases in the South-East Asia Region. Rep. WHO Regional Office for South-East
Asia, 2016. Web. 2 Dec. 2016. <http://www.searo.who.int/about/administration_structure/cds/burden-offoodborne-sear.pdf>.
"Food Hygiene." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-hygiene/en/>.
"Foodborne Germs and Illnesses." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 01 Sept. 2016. Web. 02 Dec. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foodbornegerms.html>.
"STOP Foodborne Illness – What Is Foodborne Illness?" STOP Foodborne Illness RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec.
2016. <http://www.stopfoodborneillness.org/awareness/what-is-foodborne-illness/>.
"What You Need to Know." Foodborne Illnesses. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/FoodborneIllnessesNeedToKnow/default.htm>
.
"WHO | Reducing Risk of Exposure to Pathogens during Slaughter and Preparation of Food." WHO. World
Health Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/zoonose/live_markets/en/>.
Wood, Harry. "Food-borne Diseases Rising in the EU." DeBugged. @Rentokil, 08 Sept. 2016. Web. 02 Dec.
2016. <http://www.rentokil.com/blog/food-borne-diseases-rising-in-the-eu/#.WCXou_orI2w>.
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