title: Emerging infectious diseases: Focus on infection control issues for novel coronaviruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoV and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-CoV), hemorrhagic fever viruses (Lassa and Ebola), and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, A(H5N1) and A(H7N9).
abstract: Over the past several decades, we have witnessed the emergence of many new infectious agents, some of which are major public threats. New and emerging infectious diseases which are both transmissible from patient-to-patient and virulent with a high mortality include novel coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CV), hemorrhagic fever viruses (Lassa, Ebola), and highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses, A(H5N1) and A(H7N9). All healthcare facilities need to have policies and plans in place for early identification of patients with a highly communicable diseases which are highly virulent, ability to immediately isolate such patients, and provide proper management (e.g., training and availability of personal protective equipment) to prevent transmission to healthcare personnel, other patients and visitors to the healthcare facility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC; Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC. Electronic address: dweber@unch.unc.edu.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC; Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rutala
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC; Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanamori
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC; Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Emily E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Sickbert-Bennett
mesh_terms: D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Ebola viral disease; Emerging infectious diseases; Lassa fever; Middle East respiratory syndrome; health care–associated infections; infection control; novel influenza viruses; occupational health; severe acute respiratory disease