Global surveillance and response to the threat posed by infectious diseases

Abstract

The international spread of infectious disease has long been recognised. As early as the 14th century, even though the microbial aetiology of communicable diseases was not understood, international travellers were kept in quarantine to prevent the spread of diseases such as the plague. In modern times, the ready availability of international air travel and other forms of rapid transport has made containing the spread of disease even more of a challenge.