Emerging virus diseases: can we ever expect the unexpected?

Abstract

Emerging virus diseases are a major threat to human and veterinary public health. With new examples occurring approximately one each year, the majority are viruses originating from an animal host. Of the many factors responsible, changes to local ecosystems that perturb the balance between pathogen and principal host species is one of the major drivers, together with increasing urbanization of mankind and changes in human behavior. Many emerging viruses have RNA genomes and as such are capable of rapid mutation and selection of new variants in the face of environmental changes in host numbers and available target species. This review summarizes recent work on aspects of virus emergence and the current understanding of the molecular and immunological basis whereby viruses may cross between species and become established in new ecological niches. Emergence is hard to predict, although mathematical modeling and spatial epidemiology have done much to improve the prediction of where emergence may occur. However, much needs to be done to ensure adequate surveillance is maintained of animal species known to present the greatest risk thus increasing general alertness among physicians, veterinarians and those responsible for formulating public health policy.

Emerging arboviral human diseases in Southern Europe

“…Complex interactions between pathogens, vectors, and humans are taking place, in which human interventions and demographic and environmental conditions play a significant role for virus transmission. Similarly, changes to local ecosystems that perturb the balance between pathogen and principal host species, together with increasing urbanization of mankind are among the major drivers for the virus emergence …”

Camelpox and Buffalopox: Two Emerging and Re-emerging Orthopox Viral Diseases of India

“…ince last two decades, several unexpected outbreaks and epidemics of disease caused by viruses has been reported in humans and animals (Howard and Fletcher, 2012). This is the main constraint of majority of the developing countries where identification and control of emerging and re-emerging diseases are difficult and origin of diseases have major concern.…”

A review of the monkeypox virus and a recent outbreak of skin rash disease in Nigeria

“…Viruses continue to be responsible for a large number of emerging and re‐emerging infections of medical importance as well as a wide range of human and animal infectious diseases. They proportionally pose a much greater threat to global public health than a century ago . Viruses cause the most feared and devastating human diseases, their ability to spread rapidly making them major contributors to global infectious disease morbidity and mortality .…”