An Overview of Epidemiology and Diagnostic Techniques for Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Infections

Abstract

In the past decades, the prevalence of emerging viral infections has escalated and is envisaged to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. More than 17 million people die every year from infectious diseases. The most deadly diseases known to humans so far are caused by emerging and re-emerging viruses such as Influenza, Chikungunya, Ebola, HIV, and the Coronavirus disease 19 outbreak, being the most recent. The clinical prognosis of serious illnesses depends on identification of the infectious agent at the onset. This review outlines the epidemiology and diagnostic techniques used to identify viral pathogens that received particular attention in the recent years. The modern diagnostic tools that are used for identification and confirmation of these disease causing agents such as viral antigen identification, viral culture, nucleic acid analysis, and serology are discussed. While rapid identification of infectious agents, quick diagnosis, and the production of vaccines against a specific virus is possible with advanced laboratory techniques, the limited resources delay the implementation of these techniques. The present need is to understand the importance of early and proper implementation of technological advancements for mitigation of damage caused by infective agents, and the introduction of some novel and appropriate approaches on priority basis in endemic and emerging areas.