AIDS, Avian flu, SARS, MERS, Ebola, Zika… what next?

Abstract

Emerging infections have threatened humanity since times immemorial. The dramatic anthropogenic, behavioral and social changes that have affected humanity and the environment in the past century have accelerated the intrusion of novel pathogens into the global human population, sometimes with devastating consequences. The AIDS and influenza pandemics have claimed and will continue to claim millions of lives. The recent SARS and Ebola epidemics have threatened populations across borders. The emergence of MERS may well be warning signals of a nascent pandemic threat, while the potential for geographical spread of vector-borne diseases, such as Zika, but also Dengue and Chikungunya is unprecedented. Novel technologies and innovative approaches have multiplied to address and improve response preparedness towards the increasing yet unpredictable threat posed by emerging pathogens.

Trypsin treatment unlocks barrier for zoonotic coronaviruses infection

“…Since the beginning of the 21 st century, public health infrastructures have been required to periodically respond to new and reemerging zoonotic viral diseases, including influenza, Ebola, and Zika virus outbreaks (1). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the first major outbreak of the century, highlighted the global impact of a newly emerging virus in the context of expanding development, increased globalization, and poor public health infrastructures (2-4).…”

Analysis of research intensity on infectious disease by disease burden reveals which infectious diseases are neglected by researchers

“…In addition, threats from emerging and reemerging infectious diseases have increased globally; this was seen in the devastating outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Symptoms coronavirus in 2003 and Ebola virus in 2014 (9). Another concern is the emergence and increase in antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and carbapenemresistant Enterobacteriaceae in many areas (10,11).…”

Vaccinology in the 21st century–The 10th Annual Vaccine Congress

“…The 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak, the Zika epidemic, and the recent emergence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are only a few examples that clearly demonstrate the urgent need for accelerated vaccine development against emerging pathogens [5][6][7]. Such rapid development can be achieved by employing well-characterized platform technologies such as the replication-deficient simian adenovirus model, which could be used to develop vaccines against Rift Valley Fever virus and MERS-CoV [5].…”