Michael H Merson

Interim Chair and Clinical Professor of the Department of Global and Environmental Health

Professional overview

Michael Merson is Interim Chair of the Department of Global and Environmental Health and Clinical Professor of Global and Environmental Health. He is the William Joklik Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Global Health at Duke University, where he served as the founding director of the Duke Global Health Institute and as Vice President and Vice Provost for Global Affairs. His current research is focused on policy issues related to the response to pandemics, evaluating the rollout of Paxlovid in low-income countries and on ways to regain trust in public health.

Prior to NYU, he joined the faculty at Yale University as its first Dean of Public Health. Before entering academia, between 1980 and 1995, Dr. Merson served as director of the World Health Organization (WHO) programs on Diarrheal Diseases and Acute Respiratory Infections, and subsequently the WHO Global Program on AIDS. He has authored over 150 articles, is the senior editor of a leading global health textbook “Global Health: Disease, Programs, Systems, and Policies” and lead author of The AIDS Pandemic: Searching for a Global Response on the history of the global response to AIDS. He has served in advisory capacities for UNAIDS, WHO, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, World Bank, World Economic Forum, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and was an advisor to various private sector entities on the COVID-19 pandemic. He has two honorary degrees and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Education

B.A., 1966, cum laude, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts

M.D., 1970, summa cum laude, SUNY, Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn, New York

Honors and awards

Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Distinguished Leadership Award (2018)

Duke Medical Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award (2017)

Master Teacher Award in Preventive Medicine, Downstate Medical Center (2010)

Outstanding Contribution to the Campaign Against HIV/AIDS, Russian Association Against AIDS (2000)

Connecticut Health Commissioner’s AIDS Leadership Award (1998)

Connecticut Health Commissioner’s AIDS Leadership Award (1997)

Frank Babbott Alumni Award (1995)

Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal (1993)

Commendation Medal, US Public Health Service; (1986)

Arthur S. Flemming Award for Outstanding Federal Service (1983)

Commendation Medal, US Public Health Service (1975)

Publications

Publications

An outbreak of Shigella sonnei gastroenteritis on colorado river raft trips

Merson, M. H., Goldmann, D. A., Boyer, K. M., Peterson, N. J., Patton, C., Everett, L. G., Downs, H., Steckler, A., & Barker, W. H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1974

Journal title

American Journal of Epidemiology

Volume

100

Issue

3

Page(s)

186-196

10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112027

Abstract

Abstract

Merson, M. H. (Enteric Disease Section, Bacterial Disease Branch, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga. 30333), D. A. Goldmann, K. M. Boyer, N. J. Peterson, C. Patton, L. G. Everett, H. Downs, A. Steckler and W. H. Barker, Jr. An outbreak of Shigella sonnei gastroenteritis on Colorado River raft trips. Am J Epidemiol 100:186-196, 1974.-In the summer of 1972 an extensive outbreak of acute gastroenteritis occurred among passengers and boatmen on Colorado River raft trips. The illness was characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, and laboratory results indicated that the outbreak was caused by Shigella sonnei. Epidemiologic evidence suggested that illness originated among boatmen and spread to passengers primarily by person-to-person transmission. No common food or water vehicle could be identified as the source of the outbreak. A bacteriologic and chemical analysis of water from the Colorado River and some of its tributaries demonstrated that this water is unsuitable for drinking unless purified. As a result of the outbreak, the Colorado River Health Committee was created to establish guidelines for food and water handling and sewage disposal aboard the rafts and to initiate a health training course for boatmen.

Current Trends in Botulism in the United States

Merson, M. H., Hughes, J. M., Dowell, V. R., Taylor, A., Barker, W. H., & Gangarosa, E. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1974

Journal title

JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association

Volume

229

Issue

10

Page(s)

1305-1308

10.1001/jama.1974.03230480021022

Abstract

Abstract

Between 1970 and 1973, thirty outbreaks of food-borne botulism involving 91 cases and 21 deaths (23%) were reported to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Three of the 30 outbreaks were attributed to commercial foods. Six cases of wound botulism were also reported. Electromyography and a recently developed test for detection of botulinal toxin in human feces have facilitated the laboratory diagnosis of botulism. Intensive respiratory care and elimination of toxin from the gastrointestinal tract remain the most important aspects of therapy. The efficacy of botulinal antitoxin is unclear, and the rate of untoward reactions to its administration appears to be about 20%. Education of the home canner and enforcement of federal regulations established for the canning of low-acid foods by the food industry are vital to the prevention and control of botulism.

Outbreaks of waterbone disease in the United States, 1971-1972

Merson, M. H., Barker, W. H., Craun, G. F., & McCabe, L. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1974

Journal title

Journal of Infectious Diseases

Volume

129

Issue

5

Page(s)

614-615

10.1093/infdis/129.5.614

Abstract

Abstract

There were 47 outbreaks of waterborne disease comprising 6,817 cases in 1971 and 1972 (18 in 1971 with 5,179 cases, and 29 in 1972 with 1,638 cases). 30 states reported at least one outbreak. The largest outbreak comprised approximately 3,500 cases, and occurrred in Pico Rivera, Calif., in the summer of 1971. The annual average number of reported outbreaks increased during these 2 years, as compared with the last three 5 yr periods, probably as a result of renewed interest in surveillance activities.

Scombroid Fish Poisoning: Outbreak Traced to Commercially Canned Tuna Fish

Merson, M. H., Baine, W. B., Gangarosa, E. J., & Swanson, R. C. (n.d.).

Publication year

1974

Journal title

JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association

Volume

228

Issue

10

Page(s)

1268-1269

10.1001/jama.1974.03230350040026

Abstract

Abstract

In February 1973, scombroid fish poisoning occurred in 232 persons who had eaten from either of two lots of commercially canned tuna. Cases occurred in four states, with no reported hospitalizations or deaths. Patients became ill about 45 minutes after eating the fish; symptoms lasted about eight hours. Contaminated fish contained histamine levels of 68 to 280 mg/100 gm of fish muscle.

Surveillance of foodborne disease in the United States, 1971-1972

Merson, M. H., Barker, W. H., & Taylor, A. (n.d.).

Publication year

1974

Journal title

Journal of Infectious Diseases

Volume

129

Issue

3

Page(s)

365-368

10.1093/infdis/129.3.365

Abstract

Abstract

Since 1966 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has maintained surveillance of outbreaks of foodborne disease with the objective of preventing such outbreaks through an understanding of the responsible etiologic agents and contributing factors. In 1968 a standard form for reporting outbreaks to the CDC was made available to all state health departments. A foodborne disease outbreak is defined as an incident in which 2 or more persons experienced a similar illness, usually gastrointestinal, after ingesting a common food; and epidemiologic analysis implicated food as the source of the illness. Data on single cases, except for botulism and chemical poisonings, were not included. In 1972, 301 outbreaks affecting 14,559 persons were reported from 38 states. In contrast, in 1971, 320 outbreaks involving 13,453 persons were reported from 47 states. Laboratory confirmation was obtained in 45% of outbreaks in 1972 and in 29% of outbreaks in 1971. Bacterial pathogens accounted for over two thirds of laboratory confirmed outbreaks and over 95% of laboratory confirmed cases in both years. Chemical food poisonings were the second most commonly confirmed cause of outbreaks in both years. In 1972 and 1971 salmonellae and Staphylococcus aureus together were responsible for over 50% of confirmed outbreaks.

Epidemiologic, Clinical and Laboratory Aspects of Wound Botulism

Merson, M. H., & Dowell, V. R. (n.d.).

Publication year

1973

Journal title

New England Journal of Medicine

Volume

289

Issue

19

Page(s)

1005-1010

10.1056/NEJM197311082891904

Abstract

Abstract

An analysis of the clinical, epidemiologic and laboratory aspects of nine patients with wound botulism showed that all had characteristic clinical findings, including respiratory paralysis. Five cases were reported between April, 1971, and November, 1972. Laboratory confirmation was obtained in six cases by demonstration of botulinal toxin in serum or isolation of Clostridium botulinum from a wound or both; all were Type A. Although four of the nine patients died, only one of the six most recent cases was fatal. Electromyography was helpful in confirming the diagnosis in three cases. A diagnosis of wound botulism should be considered when characteristic neurologic abnormalities are present and no food item can be implicated epidemiologically. Use of proper laboratory methods for detection of botulinal toxin and identification of clostridial isolates is imperative. (N Engl J Med 289:1005–1010, 1973).

Origin of pleural fluid amylase in esophageal rupture.

Sherr, H. P., Light, R. W., Merson, M. H., Wolf, R. O., Taylor, L. L., & Hendrix, T. R. (n.d.).

Publication year

1972

Journal title

Annals of internal medicine

Volume

76

Issue

6

Page(s)

985-986

10.7326/0003-4819-76-6-985