Microbial diseases of travel

Abstract

The November 2016 special issue of the Microbiology Australia is the first joint one with the Microbiology Society of the UK. Deciding on an appropriate theme for this issue, the 'Microbial Diseases of Travel' was a relatively straightforward task and a direct 'fallout' from the geographical distance that separates our two societies. In the recorded history of mankind, travel has been one of the most effective means of disseminating infectious diseases throughout and among different populations. Explorers carried with them, many infectious agents such as influenza, measles, small pox, typhus and yellow fewer resulting in devastating consequences for the indigenous populations that they encountered on their travels. Nowadays, with the current explosive rates and speed of travel the consequences of carrying infectious agents continue to be significantly detrimental to human, animal and crop populations even with our understanding of effective public health measures. Exposure to disease causing agents carried on wild animals can also be a potent force in the emergence of disease on travellers' return to their home country. In addition, migratory animals and birds can bring disease into far away countries as illustrated by the avian influenza.