Infectious Diseases and HIV Conference

EIDs are infections that have newly appeared in a population or are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range. Often, these diseases result from a new or emerging pathogen, shifts in human behavior, changes in the environment, or globalization, which all allow infectious agents to be more easily spread.

Emerging infectious diseases pose massive threats to global health because they have the capacity to unleash large outbreaks and strain healthcare systems. Actually, a number of factors contribute to the emergence of new infectious diseases. Zoonotic infections refer to those in which a pathogen in an animal assumes its host. Such causes many of the EIDs reported. Diseases such as Ebola, SARS, MERS, and even COVID-19 are all of animal reservoirs, which strongly highlight the involvement of wildlife in the transmission of pathogens.

It has been accredited that changes in climate along with urbanization and increase in deforestation lead to alteration of natural habitats, thereby increased human-animal interactions, which in turn increase the pace of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Another major concern of emerging infectious diseases is antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics have created resistant pathogens; such factors have complicated the management of tuberculosis, gonorrhea, and pneumonia.

AMR has been found to be an increasing threat since resistant infections are considered harder to treat, and hence more severe in morbidity and mortality rates. Coordination for global surveillance, early detection, and timely intervention is necessary for the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases.

Critical components are strengthened public health infrastructure, research and development investments in vaccines and therapeutics, and international collaboration. Improvement in hygiene measures, vaccination programs, vector control, and prudent use of antimicrobials can minimize potential transmission. The COVID-19 pandemic underlined the need to prepare for emerging infectious diseases.

It drives home what is needed for effective management of future outbreaks: real-time data sharing, robust healthcare systems, and resilient supply chains.

Continuing research and proactive steps are, therefore, needed to identify possible threats that may jeopardize health and economies around the world by emerging infectious diseases.