Recent challenges in infectious diseases - Biological pathogens as weapons and emerging endemic threats

This article reviews emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and provides insights regarding the evolution of our understanding of natural diseases and how that knowledge impacts the development of plans and methods for defending against the deliberate use of biological agents. Also discussed are forensic and legal issues for the pathologist concerning agents of biological terrorism and biological warfare, the concept of chain of custody, transport, storage, and biosafety levels. It defines the importance of the pathologist in managing the threat posed by biological weapons.