Emerging Infectious Diseases -Challenges and Countermeasures

Emerging infectious diseases have remained significant global health challenges because of their unpredictability, speed of transmission and socioeconomic consequences. Globalization, global warming, population increase, urbanization, and antimicrobial resistance have been among the factors that have increased the occurrence and recurrence of different pathogens. Examples of how diseases such as Ebola, Zika, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) demonstrate how previously contained and new types of infection can re-emerge with devastating results. The chapter has given a review of the epidemiological trends, etiological agents and contributory determinants of the emerging and re-emerging diseases. It also talks about the weaknesses of modern surveillance, diagnostic and treatment measures and the necessity of globalized health systems. It focuses on multidisciplinary One Health solutions, genomic surveillance, and creating successful vaccines and antimicrobial products. To reduce the risks of infectious diseases in the future and ensure health safety in the world, there is a need to strengthen international collaboration and preparedness measures.