Epidemiology, Ecology, and Evolution of Human-Virus Interaction: An Overview of the Relevance to Human Health and Disease

Acquiring a systemic perspective on epidemic events is mandatory in an age in which such events are rapidly growing in both number and spatial distribution. In this work we describe the human/virus interaction through the ���deep time��� of evolution. We show how ancient epidemics shaped animal and human biology influencing basic traits like multi-cellularity, immunity and cancer. Furthermore, on a much shorter time scale, we focus on the role played by globalization and anthropogenic environmental deterioration in the growing menace of recurring pandemics.
Organisms. Journal of Biological Sciences, Vol. 5 No. 1 (2021)