This essential presents infectious diseases of humans and animals that occur or can become endemic in Germany and Europe. These include current threats, African swine fever, avian influenza and COVID-19. In addition, the biology of mosquitoes is described. Globalisation and global warming favour the establishment of new mosquito species that can transmit viruses of the tropics and subtropics, e.g. chikungunya, dengue and West Nile virus. The Schmallenberg virus, which is of veterinary relevance, shows how rapidly new pathogens are spreading in Europe.

Patric U. B. Vogel is a biologist and has worked in the pharmaceutical field withMycobacterium tuberculosis, SalmonellaTyphi and influenza, retrovirus, smallpox and coronavirus, among others. His experience includes teaching a two-year virology/microbiology seminar, clearing vaccines as a Qualified Person, and self-employment in the pharmaceutical field.  

 

Prof. Dr. Günter A. Schaub is a parasitologist and senior professor at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. His research on the Latin American Chagas disease includes the interactions of the pathogen with the vectors as well as the vector biology of mosquitoes and ticks, their distribution and role as disease vectors and also the biology of lice.