WHO program on emerging virus diseases

Infectious diseases, and especially viral diseases, are important, evolving, complex public health problems. Their ultimate prevention and control will increasingly require sophisticated interaction between epidemiologic resources, molecular expertise, and application of modern statistical tools. The integration of epidemiologic and laboratory sciences is central to the success of a coordinated approach to new, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and the WHO is attempting to facilitate and strengthen these resources internationally by focusing on improved surveillance, infrastructure building, applied research, and improved prevention and control strategies. Reference virus laboratories, especially those that deal with exotic virus diseases, will play a key role in implementation of the program, since these laboratories are likely to be called upon to assist in the identification of new, emerging, or re-emerging diseases. Thus, ensuring that these laboratories are well prepared to perform their critical tasks is essential to the ultimate success of the program.