Antibiotics have not eliminated infectious diseases, which remain the leading cause of deaths globally. Infectious diseases are one of the top ten causes of death in the United States (specifically HIV and pneumonia/influenza), accounting for 160,000 fatalities annually. Their annual cost in treatment and lost productivity in the United States is estimated to exceed $120 billion. Even once “under control” diseases, such as tuberculosis, cholera, and diphtheria, are re-emerging. In addition, new diseases have arisen—30 in the last two decades.

Surprisingly, however, much of this large problem can be prevented through methods which are easy and inexpensive: washing hands, barriers, personal hygiene and environmental controls.