Networked Disease: Emerging Infections In The Global City( Series - Studies In Urban & Social Change )

Of late, possible global pandemic scares have garnered much attention from the media and health professionals. Debates abound over just how prepared health care systems worldwide are to deal with the fallout from an outbreak of the avian flu, SARS, anthrax, West Nile Virus, Ebola, or other emerging infectious diseases. Yet the urban aspects of such diseases -particularly within the context of globalizing cities and the global cities network - have been virtually ignored. Detection, monitoring and response strategies must be compatible with the current political, social, economic and ecological developments unfolding within our increasingly complex world.This collection examines the impact of globalization on the transmission of and response to SARS in Toronto, Hong Kong, and Singapore. With contributions from some of the most distinguished scholars in the field - along with newer, innovative works by aspiring junior researchers - the book uses the SARS outbreak as a springboard for further discussion about infectious disease management in progressively global and urban societies. This tightly integrated thematic selection offers a unique and timely contribution to a vitally important field of research.