Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases

© 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Due to numerous public health interventions in the developed world, infectious diseases declined throughout much of the twentieth century. However, recently there have been marked increases in the occurrence of new or resurging infectious diseases, also known collectively as emerging infectious diseases. Research suggests that changes in ecology, human behavior, globalization, microbial adaptation, and public health infrastructure are factors contributing to this rising trend. This article reviews the relevant literature associated with emerging infectious diseases, discusses various factors associated with disease emergence/resurgence, and presents perspectives on how to address the most critical future public health questions.