Emerging Infectious Diseases from the Global to the Local Perspective A Summary of a Workshop of the Forum on Emerging Infections (2001) / Chapter Skim
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Emerging Infections in Asia and the Pacific
Emerging Infections in Asia and the Pacific
Pages 62-71
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From page 62... ...
For example, a number of important global diseases, such as influenza, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia, are endemic to the region, as are the newly emerging Hendra and Nip ah viruses. Although the emerging infectious disease problems facing countries in the Asia-Pacific region are as great as those facing countries elsewhere, the potential for the prevention and mitigation of disease outbreaks in the region is noteworthy, as evidenced by several recent epidemic threats.
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From page 63... ...
This region is particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases because it is densely populated (6.68 million people in 1998) , is in the crossroads between the East and the West, encounters a heavy volume of international travel, and has live poultry markets in close proximity to residential areas.
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From page 64... ...
Conclusion The discovery of avian and swine influenza virus infections among humans in Hong Kong has driven home a strong message that vigilance in public health surveillance of human and animal populations is indispensable. Many emerging infectious diseases, like influenza, are zoonotic problems, and their control requires a close and effective collaboration between public health and veterinary workers.
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From page 65... ...
The former include mosquitoborne virus diseases, such as disease caused by Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus, dengue viruses, and Barmah Forest virus, whereas the latter are zoonotic diseases, such as those caused by Hendra virus, Menangle virus, and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL)
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From page 66... ...
The spread of JE to the Australian zoogeographic region may have occurred by a number of means, including natural spread through eastern Indonesia by means of mosquito-pig or mosquito-bird transmission cycles, human travel and transmigration, and airlifts of pigs to indigenous people. Dengue All four types of dengue virus have been introduced into the denguereceptive areas of northeastern Australia over the past decade, and epidemics caused by three serotypes of dengue virus have occurred.
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From page 67... ...
The discovery of three new zoonotic viruses from fruit bats in Australia is of wider interest, as fruit bat populations overlap from the Pacific islands through Australia, southern Asia, and possibly into the Middle East and Africa. Thus, for any virus found in Australia, related viruses will probably exist throughout the range of similar bats.
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From page 68... ...
Interest in hantaviruses recently was revived when, with the help of South Korea, we obtained serological evidence of hantavirus infections in 4 of 119 patients with chronic renal failure. Additional serological evidence in rodents indicated that there might be more than one member of the hantavirus family lurking in Malaysia.
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From page 69... ...
Since Malaysia is heavily dependent on a migrant workforce, it is anticipated that other emerging infections will be introduced into the country. The third outbreak also was of viral encephalitis and thought to be Japanese encephalitis (JE)
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From page 70... ...
In addition, a new Infectious Disease Center has been established and will be equipped with adequate facilities to handle future emerging diseases outbreaks. Transfer of appropriate technology to developing countries from foreign experts is most important.
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From page 71... ...
In summary, emerging infection is something we have to live with for years to come. Developing countries usually serve as the epicenter, and yet they are not equipped to handle outbreak investigation without international assistance.
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