About this Research Topic
Emerging and re-emerging viruses have been, are, and will be one of the most critical threats to human and animal populations. In most cases, these viruses jump from their natural host and ecosystems to naïve hosts and new ecosystems through zoonotic events. Emerging and re-emerging viruses can cause epidemics and even pandemics that can have devastating consequences. However, most of the viruses in this category are neglected until they have caused large-scale infections. Therefore, in order to be prepared to prevent large-scale pandemics, it is imperative to understand these seemingly “rare pathogens”; without these efforts, we will not be able to control and overcome future pandemics rapidly.
The importance of understanding emerging and re-emerging viruses has several dimensions; it is critical to identify and study emerging and re-emerging viruses that are neglected and that have the potential to cause pandemics through zoonotic events. It is essential to assess possible epidemiological, social, and economic impacts that these events could have so that public policies can be generated before large-scale viral propagation. Furthermore, it is fundamental to carry out basic science on these viruses so that when the time comes, we are prepared to have well-defined scientific strategies to limit the consequences of these zoonotic events.
• To guide public policies to limit and control zoonotic viruses.
• Basic virology on emerging and re-emerging viruses.
• Translational virology, vaccine and antiviral development for emerging and re-emerging viruses.
• Risk assessment of viral zoonotic events.
• Molecular epidemiology to identify, control, and guide public policies.
• Ecological aspects to the emergence of zoonotic viruses
The importance of understanding emerging and re-emerging viruses has several dimensions; it is critical to identify and study emerging and re-emerging viruses that are neglected and that have the potential to cause pandemics through zoonotic events. It is essential to assess possible epidemiological, social, and economic impacts that these events could have so that public policies can be generated before large-scale viral propagation. Furthermore, it is fundamental to carry out basic science on these viruses so that when the time comes, we are prepared to have well-defined scientific strategies to limit the consequences of these zoonotic events.
• To guide public policies to limit and control zoonotic viruses.
• Basic virology on emerging and re-emerging viruses.
• Translational virology, vaccine and antiviral development for emerging and re-emerging viruses.
• Risk assessment of viral zoonotic events.
• Molecular epidemiology to identify, control, and guide public policies.
• Ecological aspects to the emergence of zoonotic viruses
Keywords: Emerging viruses, re-emerging viruses, zoonotic events, possible pandemics, viral containment
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