Question

9)List three modern challenges in public health microbiology and potential ways to mitigate them.

Answer 1

The three challenges in public health microbiology are- the emergence of new pathogens, the introduction of new testing methods and shortages of well-qualified personnel.

Microorganisms may emerge as pathogens because they have developed new virulence genes or resistance to standard therapeutic methods. Factors that have contributed to the emergence of new pathogens are population growth, migration from rural areas to cities, international air travel, poverty, wars, and destructive ecological changes due to economic development and land use. Thus solving these problems can reduce the emergence of new pathogens.

There is a shortage of qualified personnel, resulting from the loss of senior staff because of retirement and difficulties in recruiting and retaining younger microbiologists. The problem can be solved by allocating a huge sum of money to this field by increasing the starting salaries of the lab personnel and attracting qualified people by providing high salaries.

New testing methods are routinely required to assess the presence of new and present microbes. Again the problem is the funds. By allocating a good sum of money in the research field can help in employing more qualified researchers which can help to invent new testing methods.