ABSTRACT
Public health measures should always be the first line of defense against viral infections and should include clean drinking water, proper sewage disposal, vector control, testing ofblood and blood products, nonsharing ofneedles, hand washing and use of disposable gloves, and safer sex/condom usage/ abstinence (Fig. 1.1). Global travel has made the rapid implementation of these measures paramount. The rapid spread of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) corornavirus and avian influenza are recent examples of the problem of viral globalization. In a similar manner, the West Nile virus and monkeypox virus made their appearance in North America. In addition, new viruses are being described for previously recognized diseases, such as the role of human metapneumovirus as the second most common cause of infant respiratory infections. For viral diseases for which they are available, vaccines can be added to the list of measures to prevent viral diseases and should be used in combination with the other interventions. Antiviral drugs, however, can be considered a
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