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Emerging and re-emerging infections
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract:
An emerging infection is defined as an infection which has newly appeared in a population while a re-emerging infection is one which has existed in the past but its incidence is rapidly increasing. The reasons for the emergence and re-emergence of infections are not well understood but appear to be associated with factors that involve the pathogen, the host and the environment. These factors are often inter-related and act together in a complex manner to bring about changes in patterns of infection. Pathogens are extremely resourceful and possess mechanisms to adapt to new hosts and environments as well as to acquire new virulence traits. Host factors include herd immunity, social behaviour and demographics. Environmental factors like the climate, deforestation and new technologies have an impact on the emergence of infections. The challenge is to contain an infection when it emerges but more importantly to prevent its emergence in the first place. As the emergence of an infection is complex and multifactorial, a multidisciplinary approach is required. Health based strategies alone are insufficient. Social, economic and environmental measures and the political will to implement appropriate policies are equally important.
Insights
Emerging infections appear newly in populations, while re-emerging infections increase rapidly. Understanding and preventing these complex, multifactorial events requires a multidisciplinary approach beyond just health strategies.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- * Public Health
- * One Health Approach
Background:
- * Emerging infections are newly identified diseases in a population.
- * Re-emerging infections are existing diseases with rapidly increasing incidence.
- * Factors influencing emergence and re-emergence are complex and interconnected.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To define emerging and re-emerging infections.
- * To explore the multifactorial causes of infection emergence and re-emergence.
- * To emphasize the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to prevention and control.
Main Methods:
- * Literature review and synthesis of existing knowledge on infectious disease dynamics.
- * Analysis of pathogen, host, and environmental factors contributing to infection patterns.
- * Conceptual framework development for understanding complex emergence phenomena.
Main Results:
- * Infection emergence is driven by pathogen adaptability, host characteristics (herd immunity, behavior), and environmental changes (climate, deforestation, technology).
- * These factors interact dynamically, influencing the patterns and spread of infectious diseases.
- * Pathogens exhibit remarkable resourcefulness in adapting to new hosts and environments and acquiring virulence.
Conclusions:
- * Preventing infectious disease emergence is crucial and requires addressing social, economic, and environmental determinants alongside health-based strategies.
- * A multidisciplinary approach involving political will and integrated policies is essential for effective containment and prevention.
- * Health strategies alone are insufficient to combat the complex, multifactorial nature of emerging and re-emerging infections.