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Emerging viral infections in Australia
1Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. andrewd@chw.edu.au
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|March 1, 2002
Summary
Emerging viruses are defined by increased incidence, new disease associations, or unrecognized diseases. Vigilance is crucial for early detection, especially for viruses affecting children.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Emerging viruses pose significant global health threats.
- Understanding their diverse origins and characteristics is critical for control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and categorize emerging viruses.
- To highlight the importance of early recognition and vigilance.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of current knowledge on emerging viruses.
- Classification based on epidemiological and etiological factors.
Main Results:
- Emerging viruses encompass known viruses with expanded range (e.g., enteroviruses, Japanese encephalitis virus).
- They also include novel viruses linked to known diseases (e.g., Australian bat lyssavirus) or new diseases (e.g., Hendra, Nipah viruses).
- Some emerging viruses show a predilection for pediatric populations (e.g., Japanese encephalitis, influenza viruses, enterovirus 71).
Conclusions:
- Early recognition of emerging viral agents is essential.
- Vigilance is paramount for public health preparedness and response.