Emerging Infections (EI)

Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) represent a persistent and evolving global health challenge, encompassing infections that are newly identified, rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic spread, or at risk of significant expansion in the near future. This includes both newly discovered pathogens and the re-emergence of previously controlled diseases, reflecting the dynamic interplay between pathogens, hosts, and changing environments.

The drivers of EID are complex and interconnected—ranging from pathogen evolution and zoonotic spillover to globalisation, urbanisation, climate change, and increased human mobility. High-profile outbreaks such as SARS, MERS, Ebola, and Zika underscore the speed at which infectious threats can transcend borders, placing sustained pressure on public health systems worldwide.

While advances in vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics have strengthened outbreak response capabilities, the continued emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases highlight critical gaps in preparedness, surveillance, and rapid response. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated, forward-looking strategies that integrate scientific innovation with public health implementation.

The EID Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School, a key Signature Research Programme, provides strategic leadership in addressing emerging infectious threats through integrated, multidisciplinary, and translational research. Its work spans the full innovation continuum—from pathogen discovery and molecular pathogenesis to immunology, advanced diagnostics, experimental therapeutics, and clinical trials—strengthening preparedness and response capabilities at both regional and global levels.

Anchored in a strong Southeast Asia focus, the programme advances regional health security by building partnerships that enhance surveillance, laboratory, and epidemiological capacity, while fostering collaboration, training, and knowledge exchange.

The researchers within the Emerging Infectious Diseases focus area contribute deep domain expertise across critical areas, including pathogen discovery, novel diagnostics, molecular pathogenesis, immunology, experimental therapeutics, and clinical trials of vaccines and therapeutics, alongside global health and One Health research. Collectively, their work underpins innovation, informs policy and practice, and drives impactful solutions to address current and future infectious disease challenges.