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Viral zoonoses - a threat under control?

B Ludwig1, F B Kraus, R Allwinn

  • 1Institute for Medical Virology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. B.Ludwing@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Intervirology
|April 10, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Emerging infectious diseases, particularly zoonotic viruses, pose a significant global health threat. Understanding the complex factors driving their emergence is crucial for public health strategies.

Area of Science:

  • * Infectious disease epidemiology and public health.
  • * Microbiology and virology, focusing on emerging pathogens.
  • * One Health, encompassing environmental, animal, and human health interactions.

Background:

  • * Despite medical advances, many infectious diseases remain uncontrolled, posing significant public health challenges.
  • * Increasing importance of known pathogens and identification of novel, highly pathogenic agents.
  • * A majority of emergent disease episodes involve zoonotic (animal-to-human) transmission events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To review significant examples of zoonotic viruses responsible for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
  • * To discuss the multifaceted factors contributing to the emergence and resurgence of these viral threats.
  • * To highlight the role of viruses, particularly RNA viruses, as prominent emerging pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • * Literature review and synthesis of existing research on zoonotic viral diseases.
  • * Analysis of epidemiological data and trends in infectious disease emergence.
  • * Discussion of ecological, social, and behavioral factors influencing pathogen transmission.

Main Results:

  • * Zoonotic viruses are a primary driver of emerging infectious disease events.
  • * Complex interactions between environmental, social, and demographic factors facilitate disease emergence.
  • * RNA viruses demonstrate high adaptability, contributing to their role as significant emerging pathogens.

Conclusions:

  • * Infectious diseases, especially zoonotic viral diseases, remain a critical 21st-century public health concern.
  • * A comprehensive understanding of emergence factors is essential for effective disease control and prevention.
  • * Continued research and interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., One Health) are vital to address the threat of emerging infectious diseases.

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