A century of emergence: trends and patterns in human viral pathogens, 1900-2024, a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) pose ongoing global health threats, making it essential to understand their temporal, geographic, and biological patterns to inform prevention and control strategies.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of 212 human viruses reported between 1900 and 2024, drawing data from Scopus, PubMed, and grey literature, and applied an adapted PRISMA framework. Temporal trends, geographic origins, modes of transmission, and clinical syndromes were analyzed, complemented by a novel visualization tool for exploring patterns interactively.

Results

Viral emergence peaked during 1950-1979 (n = 87) and again since 2000 (n = 52), with the United States (n = 42), China (n = 15), and Australia (n = 10) most frequently reported as initial

SUBMITTER: Quigley A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12831438 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature