Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi; the diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revised the list of diseases prioritised in 2017.

♦ Arenaviral hemorrhagic fevers (including Lassa Fever)

♦ Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

♦ Filoviral diseases (including Ebola and Marburg)

♦ Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

♦ Other highly pathogenic coronaviral diseases (such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, (SARS))

♦ Nipah and related henipaviral diseases

♦ Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

♦ Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS)

♦ Zika

A number of experts stressed on risks of the Chikungunya virus possess. Along with a number of other pathogens, there was an agreement that Chikungunya virus continues to warrant further research and development.

Source: World Health Organisation