Since 1995, the program committees of the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy and the Infectious Diseases Society of America have organized sessions on current and emerging infectious disease threats during their annual meetings. These sessions explore strategies for the prevention and control of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can harm public health. Chapters in Emerging Infections 9 are based on recent sessions, focusing on a broad range of infectious agents that pose challenges for the clinical, laboratory, research, public health, and animal health communities.

Emerging Infections 9 reflects the diversity of infectious agent threats in the 21st century. Some of these agents have been only recently discovered, such as the Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus. Others are known pathogens presenting new challenges, such as human adenovirus 14. Some infectious agents discussed in the book are currently regional threats, whereas others affect populations around the world. However, every regional threat is potentially a global threat, an issue explored in detail in this edition. Moreover, the book�s discussion of the One World�One Health Initiative underscores the need for a global, multidisciplinary approach in investigating, developing, and implementing solutions.