WASHINGTON PUBLIC HEALTH Volume 14 * Summer 1996  University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., Dean Washington State Department of Health Bruce Miyahara, M.H.A.,Secretary Editor Thomas A. Bell, M.D., M.PH. Managing Editor Sandra L. Marvinney, B.A. Editorial Board University of Washington Lee Ann Campbell, Ph.D. Pathobiology Lucio G. Costa, Ph.D. Environmental Health Paula Diehr, Ph.D. Biostatistics David E. Grembowski, Ph.D. Health Services Peter Perine, M.D. Epidemiology Ann Marie Kimball, M.D., M.PH Health Services Vicky Taylor, M.D., M.PH. Alumni Board Representative, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Department of Health Mimi L. Fields, M.D., M.PH. Deputy Secretary, State Health Officer Michael Glass, M.S. Public Health Laboratory Marcia J. Goldoft, M. D., M. P H. Communicable Disease Epidemiology Joseph S. Jimenez, A. PR. Director of Communications Karen L. Larson, Ph.D. Office of Toxic Substances

Message from the Editor: The 1996 issue of Washington Public Health departs from the format that we have used for several years. Instead of a single (or occasionally, dual) theme, we present a more eclectic range of topics. We hope that this approach will better serve our diverse readership.  The magazine also has a new design to enliven the new format. The lead articles in this issue focus on emerging infectious diseases. This topic has been remarkable in the way it has captured the popular attention. The Pacific Northwest seems an unlikely place for an epidemic of Ebola virus, but we have seen several other rare infections here. Staying informed about these issues is challenging. The traditional medical literature reports events months after they occur, and the lay press, while timely, is not always accurate. The Internet can provide us with current news about emerging and resurging infections, but the amount and accuracy of information are still potentially problematic. Still, the "Net" has created a global "virtual community" of infectious diseases mavens that would not have been possible without it. We will continue to report the experiences of public health practitioners in the region. If you have an interesting tale, or comments about Washington Public Health, we would like to hear from you. You may contact us by mail or fax or through the Internet, as follows: tombell@u.washington.edu or sandymar@u.washington.edu.   Thomas A. Bell, M.D., M.PH. Chair, Editorial Board Health Officer, Cowlitz County and Lewis County Health Departments Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington

Washington Public Health is published annually by the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine and the Washington State Department of Health to inform the public health community about current issues in the field and activities at the SPHCM, Copyright 1996 by the University of Washington SPHCM, Photocopies of articles are permitted for classroom and educational purposes. Permission to reprint any material from Washington Public Health in other publications must be obtained from the School. For more information contact:

Office of the Dean
School of Public Health and Community Medicine
Box 357230
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98195-7230
(206) 543-1144, FAX (206) 543-3813
 
 

Return to Northwest Public Health