[Globalization and emerging infectious diseases].

In recent years, emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola virus disease (EVD) and se- vere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have been an issue of global concern. With global- ization, the risk of emergence of new diseases is increasing since humans have more chan- ces to be exposed to new pathogens. Also, the risk of international spread of infectious diseases is increasing because of increased international travel. International organizations including World Health Organization have been trying to establish better global systenM to respond to emerging infectious diseases. But SARS outbreak in 2003 and EVD outbreak in West Africa in 2014 highlighted that the current global system is still not fully functioning. The risk of emerging infectious diseases also exists in Japan. It is urgent to strengthen ca- pacity to detect and respond to such outbreaks in Japan.