The challenge of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases

• Published in: Nature Vol. 430; no. 6996; pp. 242 - 249
• Main Authors: Morens, David M, Folkers, Gregory K, Fauci, Anthony S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 08-07-2004; Nature Publishing Group UK
• Subjects: Animals; Bioterrorism - prevention & control; Bioterrorism - trends; Communicable diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - epidemiology; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - microbiology; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - transmission; Communicable Diseases, Emerging - virology; Drug Resistance; Epidemiology; Famine; Genetic aspects; History; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - transmission; HIV Infections - virology; Humans; Infectious diseases; Microbiology; Mortality; Prevention; United States
• ISSN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/nature02759

Infectious diseases have for centuries ranked with wars and famine as major challenges to human progress and survival. They remain among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Against a constant background of established infections, epidemics of new and old infectious diseases periodically emerge, greatly magnifying the global burden of infections. Studies of these emerging infections reveal the evolutionary properties of pathogenic microorganisms and the dynamic relationships between microorganisms, their hosts and the environment.