Moving beyond epidemiology practices

What is it about?

All anthropogenic activities coupled with the natural dynamic ecological changes on Earth present new challenges to understanding the old problem of the manifestation of environmental pathogens. This chapter provides an overview of infectious ecology from the perspective of infection as a discrete phenomenon within a natural microorganism community that is disrupted by external forces. Various cases demonstrate the measured impact of the disruption of these forces, such as the sudden death of specific species, and illustrate the natural microbial dominance and their threat to public health by germinating, incubating, and/or transferring deadly infection. The new dimension generates awareness and a sense of urgency in understanding the factors that contribute to the activation of deadly pathogens. This is the basis for recommending preventive measures in the study of infectious ecology (1) by understanding the contribution of human disease and other triggers to harmful microbial disruption, and (2) suppressing activated infectious processes.

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Why is it important?

A wide range of technology and subsequent scientific exploration has developed since the introduction of epidemiology more than one hundred years ago. Because of rigid adherence to the original premise, especially by dominating pharmaceutical companies, new research methods are often thwarted to the detriment of science. Infectious ecology offers a new perspective on the conduct of infectious disease research that is worth reviewing.

Perspectives