This volume provides an overview of the processes of zoonotic viral emergence, the intricacies of host/virus interactions, and the distinct role of biological transitions and modifying factors. The process of emergence is conceptualized as two transition stages which are common and required for all disease emergence, (1) human contact with the infectious agent and (2) cross-species transmission of the agent, and two transition stages which are not required for emergence and appear unavailable to many zoonotic pathogens, (3) sustained human-to-human transmission and (4) genetic adaptation to the human host. The latter two transitions are presumably prerequisites for the pandemic emergence of a pathogen. The themes introduced herein are amplified and explored in detail by the contributors to this volume. Each author explores the mechanisms and unique circumstances by which evolution, biology, history, and current context have contrived to drive the emergence of different zoonotic agents by a series of related events; although recognizable similarities exist among the events leading to emergence the details and circumstances are never repetitive.

ISBN	9783540709626
Artikelnummer	9783540709626
Medientyp	E-Book - PDF
Auflage	2. Aufl.
Copyrightjahr	2007
Verlag	Springer-Verlag
Umfang	524 Seiten
Sprache	Englisch
Kopierschutz	Digitales Wasserzeichen