Around the World: Any Outbreak Has Potential for Global Spread

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Disneyland’s role as the epicenter of the current measles outbreak has served to punctuate the pervasiveness of infectious diseases. Because many travelers from around the world congregate in this and other popular tourist attractions, infectious diseases can easily spread. Then once the newly infected person or people go home, they further spread the disease. This type of situation highlights how globally interconnected our society has become.

Fortunately, the World Health Organization created the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) to update the public regarding current outbreaks around the world. GOARN has several interactive features including a database of outbreaks organized by both disease and country. Users can choose a country and view data about current and past outbreaks as well as health information relevant to the country. The system also features a Global Outbreak News platform that publishes up-to-date reports of infectious diseases occurring around the world. To learn more about GOARN and its features, visit its website.

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.