How urbanization affects the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases

Neiderud, Carl-Johan

International trade and travel can potentially also contribute to the occurrence of a worldwide pandemic. SARS emerged as a global threat in 2003. SARS is thought to originate from the SARS-like coronavirus (SCoV) of bats and reached the human host in China due to hunting and trading of bats for food (46) . The disease was first recognized in wildlife markets in Guandong, China. Investigations have found this SCoV from the Himalayan palm civets in live-animal markets in the region. The first cases of SARS reportedly occurred in individuals who handled these animals to prepare exotic food, and the virus is thought to have crossed over to their human host (47) . SARS could then spread throughout the world by, for example, international travel. It spread in urban dwellings in large cities and in wellequipped city hospitals. Public fear of travelling led to considerable economic losses that affected entire countries (48) . The example of SARS shows that food markets in southern China can be the origin of a worldwide health crisis. Travel routes around the world have connected the urban world and large megacities like never before. Accordingly it is important to take necessary preventive measures before the epidemic gets out of control, and here big organizations like WHO, but also governments, play an important role. Early action is of utmost importance, and functional surveillance programs needs to be in place.