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The challenge of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases

Nature volume 430, pages 242–249 (2004)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 07 January 2010

Abstract

Infectious diseases have for centuries ranked with wars and famine as major challenges to human progress and survival. They remain among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Against a constant background of established infections, epidemics of new and old infectious diseases periodically emerge, greatly magnifying the global burden of infections. Studies of these emerging infections reveal the evolutionary properties of pathogenic microorganisms and the dynamic relationships between microorganisms, their hosts and the environment.

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Figure 1: Global examples of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, some of which are discussed in the main text.
Figure 2: Leading causes of death worldwide.
Figure 3: Probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) with onset of illness from 1 November 2002 to 31 July 2003.
Figure 4: Documented human infections with avian influenza viruses, 1997–2004.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank R. M. Krause for helpful discussions, and J. Weddle for graphic design.

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  1. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 20892-2520, Maryland, USA

    David M. Morens, Gregory K. Folkers & Anthony S. Fauci

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Morens, D., Folkers, G. & Fauci, A. The challenge of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Nature 430, 242–249 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02759

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