Which Plagues are Coming Next?

Abstract

Plagues and pandemics are no longer distant thoughts of the past. Previously referred as moments in history, infectious diseases have re-emerged as potential existential threats to mankind. International Health Security researchers have repeatedly warned society about impending pandemics and in 2020, the world experienced its first major pandemic in over a century. The SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic came fast and hit hard, impacting the entire world within months of discovery. Although SARS-CoV-2 was a completely novel virus, there are an assortment of novel and timeworn pathogens fostering the potential to become the next pandemic. This chapter focuses on pathogens ranging from yeast to virus, capable of transmission through food, water, air, or animal, that could emerge as the next International Health Security threat.

Medically Significant Vector-Borne Viral Diseases in Iran

“…Recent data indicated that arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks, can carry more than one pathogen, leading to the co-transmission of diseases through one bite. This highlights the importance of VBVDs as a concern to public health [6]. Furthermore, while VBVDs are transmitted by a main vector, secondary vectors such as rodents often can transmit the same pathogens as insects, leading to multiple routes for infection [7].…”