Novel and Re-Emerging Respiratory Viral Diseases: Novartis Foundation Symposium 290

The past decade has seen mounting global concern regarding viral outbreaks such as SARS, avian influenza and West Nile virus. In 2004 and 2005, reports of bird-to-human, and possible human-to-human, transmissions of the H5N1 influenza viruses raised fears that these viruses could cause a pandemic on the scale of the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. Previous to this, a novel coronavirus had been identified as the aetiological agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a new respiratory viral disease that emerged at the end of 2002 and caused profound disturbances in over 30 countries worldwide in 2003. It is not known whether the SARS coronavirus will re-emerge, especially since its origins and potential reservoir(s) are unresolved. However, these outbreaks have shown that these viruses can emerge in any part of the world at any time. This book critically evaluates the latest scientific evidence on novel or re-emerging viral diseases and brings together contributions from world experts on this topic, explaining best practice in their area, and discussing lessons learned and how best to collaborate to prevent and control future outbreaks. Topics covered include: * the latest advances in virology, particularly in the area of epidemiology * diagnostics * animal models for viral infection * antiviral and vaccine development __Novel and Re-emerging Respiratory Viral Diseases__ offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary account of all aspects of the topic, from basic molecular biology to public health issues, and is therefore essential reading for virologists, infectious disease specialists, public health managers, researchers and epidemiologists, as well as those working in vaccine development, pharmaceutical medicine and drug discoveryContent:

the Past Decade Has Seen Mounting Global Concern Regarding Viral Outbreaks Such As Sars, Avian Influenza And West Nile Virus. In 2004 And 2005, Reports Of Bird-to-human, And Possible Human-to-human, Transmissions Of The H5n1 Influenza Viruses Raised Fears That These Viruses Could Cause A Pandemic On The Scale Of The Spanish Flu Pandemic Of 1918.   Previous To This, A Novel Coronavirus Had Been Identified As The Aetiological Agent Of The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (sars), A New Respiratory Viral Disease That Emerged At The End Of 2002 And Caused Profound Disturbances In Over 30 Countries Worldwide In 2003. It Is Not Known Whether The Sars Coronavirus Will Re-emerge, Especially Since Its Origins And Potential Reservoir(s) Are Unresolved. However, These Outbreaks Have Shown That These Viruses Can Emerge In Any Part Of The World At Any Time.

This Book Critically Evaluates The Latest Scientific Evidence On Novel Or Re-emerging Viral Diseases And Brings Together Contributions From World Experts On This Topic, Explaining Best Practice In Their Area, And Discussing Lessons Learned And How Best To Collaborate To Prevent And Control Future Outbreaks.

Topics Covered Include:

• the Latest Advances In Virology, Particularly In The Area Of Epidemiology
• diagnostics
• animal Models For Viral Infection
• antiviral And Vaccine Development

novel And Re-emerging Respiratory Viral Diseases Offers A Comprehensive And Interdisciplinary Account Of All Aspects Of The Topic, From Basic Molecular Biology To Public Health Issues, And Is Therefore Essential Reading For Virologists, Infectious Disease Specialists, Public Health Managers,researchers And Epidemiologists, As Well As Those Working In Vaccine Development, Pharmaceutical Medicine And Drug Discovery

doody Review Services

reviewer:rebecca T. Horvat, Phd, D(abmm)(university Of Kansas Medical Center)
description:this Small Book Is A Synopsis Of A 2007 Symposium On Novel And Re-emerging Respiratory Viral Infections Held In Singapore. It Focuses On Two Recent Examples Of Emerging Viral Disease That Have Been Associated With Human Infections -- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (sars) And The H5n1 Avian Influenza Strain That Has Passed Directly From Bird Species To Humans.
purpose:the Book Gathers World Experts In Respiratory Viral Diseases To Determine The History Of These Two Outbreaks. It Also Includes A Discussion Of The Ways In Which New Viral Diseases Can Be Recognized. This Is A Very Important Issue For Public Health And Involves Not Just Laboratory Scientists, But Also Epidemiological And Public Health Support.
audience:all Scientists And Healthcare Providers Involved In Recognizing And Responding To Respiratory Diseases Are The Intended Audience. This Is Also A Valuable Book For Students Entering This Field Of Study. The Authors And Participants Of This Symposium Are World-renowned Experts In Public Health And Research In Viral Diseases.
features:the Book Starts With A Discussion Of Viral Evolution And How A Pathogen Emerges During This Evolutionary Change. It Also Proposes How To Predict When A Viral Agent Jumps Species And Becomes Highly Pathogenic. Several Chapters Describe The Antigenic Changes In The Human And Swine Influenza And How To Analyze Binding Assays To Predict Antigenic Differences Among These Pathogens. Subsequent Chapters Discuss What Is Known About Past Influenza Pandemics And How To Use This Information To Predict And Handle Future Pandemics. Then, Several Detailed And Enlightening Chapters Discuss The Sars Epidemic And The Response. And, As The Authors Note, These Experiences And Lessons Form Sars Will Help Us Prepare And Respond To Future Outbreaks Of Highly Contagious Infectious Agents. An Interesting And Valuable Feature Is The Discussion Section Which Follows Each Chapter. In These Sections, Participants At The Symposium Pose Questions That The Author Answers.
assessment:this Is A Valuable Account Of How New Viral Pathogens Are Discovered And Analyzed. It Also Describes How A Highly Infectious Outbreak Can Be Contained. This Information Will Be Invaluable In Future Outbreaks. This Book Is Highly Recommended For Individuals Involved In Diagnosing And Containing Infectious Viral Disease.

"This book critically evaluates the latest scientific evidence on novel or re-emerging viral diseases and brings together contributions from world experts on this topic, explaining best practice in their area, and discussing lessons learned and how best to collaborate to prevent and control future outbreaks." "Novel and Re-emerging Respiratory Viral Diseases offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary account of all aspects of the topic, from basic molecular biology to public health issues, and is therefore essential reading for virologists, infectious disease specialists, public health managers, researchers and epidemiologists, as well as those working in vaccine development, pharmaceutical medicine and drug discovery."--Jacket