The article by Stephen S. Morse, Ph.D., from The Rockefeller University, discusses the factors contributing to the emergence of infectious diseases. Emerging infectious diseases are those that have newly appeared in a population or are increasing in incidence or geographic range. Examples include HIV/AIDS, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Lyme disease, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Specific factors, such as ecological, environmental, and demographic changes, increase the risk of disease emergence by facilitating contact between humans and previously unknown microbes or their natural hosts. These factors, combined with ongoing viral and microbial evolution and the selection for drug resistance, suggest that infections will continue to emerge and spread. The article emphasizes the need for effective surveillance and control measures. It also highlights the role of zoonotic introductions, agricultural and economic development, human population movements, travel, technology, microbial adaptation, and breakdowns in public health measures in the emergence of infectious diseases. The authors advocate for global disease surveillance and rapid response systems to address these challenges.The article by Stephen S. Morse, Ph.D., from The Rockefeller University, discusses the factors contributing to the emergence of infectious diseases. Emerging infectious diseases are those that have newly appeared in a population or are increasing in incidence or geographic range. Examples include HIV/AIDS, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Lyme disease, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Specific factors, such as ecological, environmental, and demographic changes, increase the risk of disease emergence by facilitating contact between humans and previously unknown microbes or their natural hosts. These factors, combined with ongoing viral and microbial evolution and the selection for drug resistance, suggest that infections will continue to emerge and spread. The article emphasizes the need for effective surveillance and control measures. It also highlights the role of zoonotic introductions, agricultural and economic development, human population movements, travel, technology, microbial adaptation, and breakdowns in public health measures in the emergence of infectious diseases. The authors advocate for global disease surveillance and rapid response systems to address these challenges.