Innovative Approaches for the Early Detection and Rapid Response to Biothreat and Emerging Infectious Agents

In recent years, the need for rapid and innovative approaches to detect and respond to biothreats and emerging infectious agents has become increasingly urgent. Traditional surveillance and diagnostic methods, though effective, often lag behind the swift evolution of pathogens, as seen with recent outbreaks of Ebola, Zika, COVID-19, and Mpox. Emerging tools in AI, genomics, and portable diagnostics hold promise for rapid identification and intervention of biothreat agents and emerging pathogens. By harnessing these technologies alongside a public health infrastructure that emphasizes early detection and preparedness, we can improve response strategies, mitigate the impact of biothreats, and protect global health security.

This Research Topic aims to explore novel methodologies, technologies, and strategies that enhance our capabilities to anticipate, detect, and control emerging infectious threats, focusing on how innovation can bridge current gaps in biothreat preparedness and response. Themes to explore include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The role of AI and machine learning in early detection of infectious agents.
- Genomic surveillance as a tool for identifying emerging pathogens and biothreat agents.
- Novel methodologies and technologies for the detection of emerging infectious agents and biothreat agents
- Portable diagnostics and their impact on rapid response in low-resource settings.
- Real-time data analytics for tracking and managing biothreats.
- Public health infrastructure and preparedness for biothreat detection and response.
- Community engagement in early warning systems for emerging infectious threats.
- The integration of telemedicine in rapid response to infectious disease outbreaks.

Through this collection, we aim to catalyze groundbreaking advancements that empower public health systems worldwide to swiftly counter infectious threats, ultimately paving the way for a safer, more resilient future in global health security.