- Emerging diseases are those that have newly appeared in a population or have existed but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range.
Causes:
- Zoonotic Transmission: Many emerging diseases originate in animals and can be transmitted to humans. Examples include HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19.
- Environmental Changes: Alterations in ecosystems, climate change, and urbanization can contribute to the emergence of new diseases.
- Globalization: Increased international travel and trade can facilitate the spread of diseases across borders.
Examples of Emerging Diseases:
- COVID-19 (caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2)
- Zika virus
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Challenges:
- Rapid spread due to global interconnectedness.
- Limited knowledge and understanding of new pathogens.
- Potential for high morbidity and mortality.