Emerging Haemorrhagic Fever Viruses
This group of viruses which include Ebola, Marburg, Lassa and Hantaviruses are amongst the most pathogenic and transmissible human infections. While mortality rates do vary, some have case fatality rates near 90. Outbreaks frequently stem from zoonotic transmission but can spread quickly from person to person thereafter making prevention and control difficult particularly where public health resources are scarce and efforts are hindered by fear and stigmatization. As diseases, they are poorly surveilled and under researched. Pathological studies are difficult to undertake and few medicinal interventions are available for protection, none for effective treatment. For this collection which serves as a call to arms, experts from throughout the globe have contributed contemporary studies, reviews and commentaries to facilitate dissemination of scientific knowledge and understanding and to promote better interventions with which combat these diseases.
Edited by
Hinh Ly(University of Minnesota, Twin Cities)