MSU zoonotics research focuses on infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are the number one killer of people worldwide. In the United States, they kill more people than any other cause except heart disease and cancer.

New infectious diseases such as SARS and avian flu continue to emerge. Diseases also can be used as bioterrorism weapons. All of those factors are fueling an expansion of infectious-disease research at Montana State University.

Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed several people, Congress required more federal money be spent on biodefense and developing vaccines.

"It’s a very hot topic," said Allen Harmsen, professor of immunology and director of the MSU’s Center of Zoonotic Diseases http://vmb.montana.edu/index.htm .

By MARY PICKETT
Of The Gazette Staff

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/02/26/features/magazine/25-zoonotics.txt