Through modern technology, the world has become a smaller
place and local events increasingly have global ramifi cations.
This is particularly true in the area of health and disease. The
current era of globalization is associated with an unexpected
increase in infectious diseases, many of which are zoonoses
that spread rapidly among human and animal populations
around the world through increased travel and trade. The origin
of many emerging zoonoses can be traced to increased
contact between human beings, wildlife, and domestic animals
as human populations and their livestock increasingly
penetrate areas inhabited by wild animals and transform
landscapes in ways that disrupt natural ecosystems.