Expeditions into the empire of plaques [plagues] in early times of globalization and global warming

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This enlarged and updated international edition builds on the success of the German version published in 2004. Released on May 27, 2010, it commemorates the centenary of Nobel Prize winner Robert Koch, a pioneer in microbiology and infectious disease research. The book features contributions from notable figures such as Prof. Dr. Hacker, Prof. Dr. Aguzzi, Prof. Dr. Omura, and Prof. Dr. Mori. It addresses the contemporary challenges of globalization and global warming, which can lead to the emergence of diseases reminiscent of historical pandemics like the Black Death and typhus. The mass migrations from 1840 to 1920 resulted in overcrowded cities and the spread of disease agents across continents, inspiring scientists like Koch, Pasteur, and others to combat these threats. The text delves into personal diaries and accounts of perilous expeditions into the realms of infectious diseases, highlighting significant discoveries often achieved at great personal cost. It chronicles the fight against diseases from Koch's foundational work on anthrax, tuberculosis, and cholera to modern threats like Dengue, AIDS, and SARS. The book explains symptoms, transmission pathways, and preventive measures clearly, enhanced by over 250 color images that engage the reader’s imagination.