This book discusses the ecology of viruses with an emphasis on the emergence of devastating hemorrhagic diseases, and a review of the molecular and cellular basis of the pathogenesis of several viral diseases. The volume provides an introduction to the mathematical analysis of recurrent epidemic viral diseases and examines the neurological and psychological diseases in relation to the pathological mechanisms underlying prion disease. Chapters explore new viral threats including HIV, bunyaviruses, morbilliviruses and caliciviruses.

This symposium book covers the central factors that influence the pathogenicity of virus and prion infections. Virus and prion diseases remain a major public health threat, in both developed and developing countries. The worldwide HIV pandemic is one example of a newly emerged virus disease, and older human viruses such as influenza, papilloma, and the hepatitis viruses still cause major health problems. Some viruses may also establish persistent infections which can lead to the development of chronic diseases, including cancer.