Emerging Diseases and Virology: Towards New Approaches and Insights

The Journal of Emerging Diseases and Virology is being launched at a fascinating time for virologists and the discipline of virology. Unfolding before our eyes is the appearance of many new emerging diseases that are significant health problems. Not surprising, viruses are the causative agents or cofactors of a significant number of these emerging diseases. With the advent and wide use of next generation sequencing, many previously uncharacterized viruses or viruses that do not grow well in cultured cells are being discovered. A number of viruses associated with emerging diseases are also zoonotic, which complicates virus transmission, controlling the spread of these viruses, and developing effective strategies to prevent their spread. As we continue to go where no man has gone, it is likely that more emerging viral diseases will be unleashed and transported to new areas.