The Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases: Understanding the Impact on Animal and Human Health

Excerpt

In an effort to increase knowledge and understanding of zoonotic diseases with current and probable future public health significance, the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Emerging Infections hosted a 2-day workshop on June 7–8, 2000. The workshop, titled The Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases, explored the forces that drive zoonotic diseases to prominence and sought to identify more broad-based strategies and research programs that are needed to respond to these diseases. The goals of the workshop were to evaluate (1) the relative importance of zoonotic diseases against the overall backdrop of emerging infections, (2) the state of our understanding of zoonotic diseases, and (3) surveillance and response strategies to detect, prevent, and mitigate the impact of zoonotic diseases on human health. Issues pertaining to these three thematic areas were addressed through invited presentations and subsequent discussions, which highlighted the ongoing programs and actions being taken and identified the most important needs in this vital area.