Introduction to Virus Outbreaks

Abstract

Human health is significantly affected time and again by emerging and re-emerging incidences of viral infections in spite of exceptional progress in the field of biomedical research. A great example of the same being recent pandemic of COVID 19 across the globe. Even reappearing outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue in tropical and sub-tropical regions, Zika virus outbreak in America and SARS, MERS and influenza A epidemics indicate the same. The natural reservoirs of human viruses are typically farm animals and occasionally the wild animals as well as arthropods. The key to understanding this emergence and re-emergence of these pathogenic viruses lies in the complex ‘host-pathogen-environment’ interaction. Selective pressure is put on these reservoirs due to changing human habits, increasing population density, stress on mother nature, poor sanitation and changing climate. For protection from these infections, new approaches like consumption of thoroughly cooked meat and animal products only are the most promising control measures. Although substantial progress has been made in human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis virus control, the arbitrary disposition of evolving viruses and the occasional outbreaks critically restrain the prevention and control process.