Trade-related Infections: Global Traffic and Microbial Travel

Science is only beginning to understand the interplay between global trade and human infectious diseases. The reported frequency of the emergence of new human pathogens has been increasing, coincident with the burgeoning of global trade. This report examines the phenomenon of “trade related infections” which are infections whose emergence, or dissemination and transmission may be driven by global trade in commodities, or whose occurrence cause major economic impact through trade disruption. Through four case studies, the interplay between global trade and the emergence and dissemination of new human infections is described. The examples are drawn from three distinct types of emergent infections: human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and the trade in blood clotting derivatives, enteric disease and fresh produce, and prion infections and beef. The observations from these studies are then placed in the global policy framework for the control of infectious diseases and the regulation of trade. This framework is embodied in the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization. While increasing discourse is occurring between the “sectors” of health and trade at the level of international organizations, such discourse at the national and local level is largely absent. A more complete evidence base for policy decision making is sorely needed to foster a global trading system which also maintains the public safety from emergent infectious diseases.