Preface

RNA virus infections are a major health problem. There has been a sudden increase in cases of infectious diseases worldwide, including swine flu, MERS-CoV, and influenza virus SARS-COV2, which caused a devastating pandemic that killed millions of people. Since 1900, there have been ten pandemics, with viral orthomyxovirus and coronavirus being mostly responsible for eight. It might be genetic reassortment among human and animal viruses by the antigenic shift that results in new pandemic viruses; however, most research has revealed that origin is related to the zoonotic or interspecies transmission of viruses (e.g., coronavirus). Climate change also plays a significant role in the risk of arboviruses and rodent-borne viruses. To prevent future pandemics of RNA virus infections, constant surveillance in humans and animals as well as laboratory testing and screening, improved biosecurity measures, and more effective vaccines and broad-spectrum antivirals are needed.

This book examines pandemic-causing RNA viral infections, including SARS-CoV2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, HIV, and others. It provides information on molecular epidemiology features, transmission dynamics, pandemic outbreaks, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, and prevention and control of RNA viruses using the One Health approach. Chapters address such topics as chronic inflammatory bowel disease and central nervous system demyelination, the role of IL6 in RNA virus infection, neurotropic virus-induced meningoencephalomyelitis, COVID-19 prevention through vitamins and supplements, aging and HIV risk in nonpregnant persons, RNA viruses in the tropics, and much more. Keywords: RNA virus, SARS-CoV2, Climate, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Vaccine, One health.

> **Yogendra Shah** COVID-19 PCR Lab, Seti Provincial Hospital, Dhangadhi, Nepal

**1**

Section 1

Respiratory Syncytial Viruses

(RSV)
