Describes various infectious, bacterial, and viral diseases including West Nile, yellow fever, smallpox, SARS, and Ebola discussing their causes and symptoms, how they spread, and efforts to find cures.

Introduction -- Emerging infectious diseases: it's a small world after all -- Bacterial diseases: still going strong after three billion years -- Viral diseases: mosquito-bourne killers -- More viruses: mice, monkeys, blood, and air -- Parasites and prions: dangerous and deadly -- Diagnosing the future: good news for the world's health -- Glossary -- Source notes -- Selected bibliography -- Further reading and websites -- Index.