Keywords
Scientific and Technical Review, Vol. 36 (2)
Coordinator and Editor: Tammy Beckham
Trilingual publication
August 2017
29.7 × 21 cm
348 pages
ISBN 978-92-95108-31-8
Price: EUR 70
Animal diseases, including zoonoses, have the potential to negatively impact economies, the environment, society, and public health. It is currently thought that over 60% of human diseases and over 80% of agents that can be used for bio-terrorism are of animal origin. The emergence and spread of animal diseases, including zoonoses, is at an all-time high. This increase in disease emergence and spread is thought to be the result of an increase in intensive farming, global travel, human pressure on ecosystems and social unrest.
This issue of the Scientific and Technical Review reviews the use of animal pathogens and zoonotic agents as bioweapons. More specifically, it examines their use throughout history, explores current disease trends and threats and evaluates the use of animals (terrestrial and aquatic) as sentinels for early detection of outbreaks affecting animals and/or humans, whether the outbreaks be of natural, accidental or deliberate origin.
In addition, it looks at the potential impacts of animal pathogens, including zoonotic agents, on economies, social unrest, food security, and public health. It reviews current frameworks for an international response to a biological event and explores current United Nations mechanisms for response to an alleged use of biological agents. This volume also explores technological advances for early detection, surveillance, and response to a disease event. It concludes by discussing systems for strengthening global biosecurity and resilience and considering methods of ensuring the sustainability of these systems.
