Emergence

[Dr Michael J Carter]

Hiy all,

OK, we are seeing a lot of "new" problems associated (in
my bised opinion) with viruses.
Phocine distemper, CDV in lions, Rabbit haemoorhagic disease
European Brown-hare syndrome, (HIV), and now
Mexican avian flu,
Kangaroo blindness and possibly pilchard die off.

So my question is, what do we make of all of it?
In particular is it a "new" phenomenon, or have such
things been happening quietly for years whilst we were all
blissfully unaware.

This is the old argument, is it increased occurrence, or
increased reporting. Sure we can argue about the reasons for 
emergence (Dr Morse's article in Emergent infections; good solid
stuff) but how much of this is really "new", ie over the last 10 yers
or so (sorry, 	I mean "years")?

I have no conclusions on this, and I may add no axe to grind,
but I would be interested in opinions.

Mike