Issues in infectious diseases, Vol. 4. Emerging viral diseases of Southeast Asia. Lal Sunil K (ed)

Excerpt

Due to several risk factors Southeast Asia has been and still is a breeding ground for infectious diseases. Edited by Sunil K. Lal, this book concentrates on emerging viral infections. The threat posed by the SARS coronavirus, avian influenza virus H5N1, henipaviruses, Ross River virus and viruses causing diseases in fish and shrimp is discussed in nine chapters. These chapters are predominantly written by Asian experts, but there are also two contributions by Australian groups of researchers and one by a specialist of the Swiss WHO. Special focus is placed on avian influenza H5N1 virus. Due to its possible spreading all over the globe, this infection may become increasingly dangerous. Besides viral characteristics, the conditions for causing a major pandemic are revealed in this book. …