Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases of the Decade: An Overview

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs and REIDs, respectively) are infections that occur for the first time or multiple times in a population. These infections can rapidly increase in incidence or geographic range. EIDs and REIDs are responsible for significant disease outbreaks across continents and have caused mortality in many, and have also affected economies of countries. Both types of infectious diseases cause significant health problems. Scientists, health authorities, and medical practitioners are working toward the betterment of healthcare system so as to adequately deal with these diseases. Many funding programs offer support for new research developments in diagnostics and treatment options. The rates of these initiatives are, however, slow. This chapter gives an overview of the types of re-emerging and emerging diseases, factors affecting them, and their current status.