Alien Species Introduction: A Challenge in the Shifts of Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Dear Colleagues,

The introduction of new organisms in a specific ecosystem could lead to important changes involving different aspects. These phenomes could touch also the epidemiology of infectious disease. The first possibility is the introduction of a new pathogen in a particular geographic area; it could rapidly adapt itself to the new environment, find susceptible hosts in the resident population, spread more or less rapidly, and become endemic. A typical example of this is the introduction and diffusion of bluetongue virus in Europe. On the other hand, the introduction of a new animal species could change the population dynamics of resident ones and/or modify the epidemiology of existing pathogens. A typical example is the reemergence of rabies in eastern Europe after the introduction of raccoon dogs. The two events could also be additive: introduction of new pathogens as consequence of the introduction of new animals.

The aim of this Special Issue is to focus on infectious disease change in relation to alien species. Articles describing the introduction and spread of new pathogens will be evaluated. In addition, manuscripts describing the modification of existing pathogen epidemiology in relation to newly introduced animals will be considered. All kinds of studies will be taken into account: surveillance, monitoring, clinical, and pathological findings. Research articles, reviews, and case reports will be considered.

Dr. Fabrizio Bertelloni
Dr. Giovanni Cilia
Guest Editors

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• Alien species
• Infectious diseases
• Hosts
• Epidemiology
• Monitoring
• Viral Diseases
• Re-emerging diseases
• Bacterial Diseases