Emerging infections may be defined as new, re-emerging or drug-resistant infections whose incidence in humans has increased within the past two decades or whose incidence threatens to increase in the near future. Few public health concerns carry the urgency and impact of communicable diseases, especially so if they are emerging infections. They have caught the attention not only of concerned public health officials but also of the lay press. In recognising the importance of emerging infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) has formed a new division of Emerging and Other Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control (EMC). In addition, WHO had designated “Emerging Infectious Diseases—Global Alert, Global Response” as the theme of this year’s World Health Day 1997.
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The author(s) declare there are no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
