Activity

Microbial Threats to Health: Emergence, Detection, and Response

Type:

Consensus Study

Topic(s):

Biomedical and Health Research, Diseases, Global Health, Public Health

Board(s):

Board on Global Health

Activity Description

The purpose of the study was to review the current state of knowledge and policy responses concerning emerging infectious diseases. The committee re-visited the 1992 Institute of Medicine report on Emerging Infections and re-examined factors in emergence including:
 

• human demographics and behaviors
• microbial adaptation and change
• human threat from zoonosis
• control of vectors
• influence of the environment on microbe distribution and viability
• effects of economic land development on natural reservoirs of infection
• impact of globalization
• public health safety measures

The committee reviewed the capacity of the United States to respond to emerging microbial threats and delineate unmet needs as a member of the global community. The committee established priority needs and strategies that allow for rapid detection, response and prevention of emerging infections.