Sequencing for Surveillance of Emerging Infectious Diseases: from Laboratory to Field

Sequencing for Surveillance of Emerging Infectious Diseases: from Laboratory to Field

Lihua Wang, Jishu Shi

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) have affected both human and animal populations throughout history, and can be grouped into four categories: 1) newly identified pathogens, 2) zoonotic pathogens, 3) pathogens or vectors adapted to new environments, and 4) pathogens with enhanced virulence. In recent decades, several EIDs have threatened the global community and drawn both public and scientific attention. These include human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome, influenza strains H7N9 (bird flu) and H1N1 (swine flu), Ebola virus disease, expanded multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, and most recently, Zika virus disease. These events underscore the need for comprehensive surveillance and quick response systems to combat today’s EIDs and prevent those of tomorrow.

2016

emerging infectious diseases, Surveillance, Sequencing

DOI: 10.11979/idtm.201601001

Infectious Diseases and Translational Medicine

International Biological and Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Limited

Infectious and parasitic diseases

EN