Infectious diseases remain one of the leading causes of death worldwide despite synergistic efforts by nations and international alliances in the past two decades. Public health outbreaks are becoming even more complex and challenging. This is likely driven by multiple concurrent changes in ecosystems, globalization and urbanization, and changes in behaviors and society. The global HIV pandemic causes about one million deaths every year. The emergence of life-threatening infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and viral hemorrhagic fevers (e.g., Ebola and Marburg viral infections) and the wide impacts of drug resistance have been enormous burdens to many countries and require responsive health systems and effective policies.

There has been remarkable progress in the management of infectious diseases and epidemics, including the applications of new technologies in real-time diagnosis, new drug development, artificial intelligence for monitoring, and global funding mechanisms. However, it is critical that these advancements are incorporated more into existing healthcare practices and that the continuous momentum to improve the responsiveness and sustainability of the health systems is sustained.

This special issue aims to introduce latest research findings regarding global infectious diseases and response systems. This is open to any subject area related to infectious diseases with a focus on efficient response systems, effective policies, and interventions.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Global emerging threats and vulnerabilities of health systems
• Epidemics monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance
• Population health and socioeconomic burdens of global infectious diseases
• Infectious disease management and treatment outcomes
• Interventions to reduce risk factors and control global epidemics
• Implementation sciences and policy development