Emerging Viral Infections in India
Abstract
Despite an elaborate armamentarium to tackle microbes, emerging infectious diseases remain a crucial global challenge. Emerging infections can be defined as "infections that have newly appeared in a population or have existed previously but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range." Several factors like increase in international travel and trade, human encroachment on wild-life habitats, changes in agricultural practices and wild-life trade have contributed to the emergence of pathogens. Emergence/re-emergence of several viral infections has been reported from India in the past few decades; some of the important emerging viral infections are discussed in this review. They include infection due to Nipah, Hantaviruses, Chikungunya, Human Enterovirus-71, Influenza, Chandipura, Crimean Congo, SARS Coronavirus, Buffalopox, Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis viruses. Creating increased awareness and training of clinical microbiologists/virologists for identification of new/emerging pathogens, and prompt reporting and management of outbreaks is essential to tackle the threat posed by emerging/re-emerging infections.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy Part B
- Pub Date:
- March 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s40011-011-0001-1
- Bibcode:
- 2012PINSB..82....5M
- Keywords:
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- Emerging viral infections;
- Emerging infections in India