New epidemics such as AIDS and `mad cow' disease have dramatized the need to explore the factors underlying rapid viral evolution and emerging viruses. Now available in paperback, this comprehensive book is the first to describe this multifaceted new field. The book places viral evolution and emergence in a historical context, describes the interaction of viruses with hosts, and details the advances in molecular biology and epidemiology that have provided the tools necessary to track developing viral epidemics and to detect new viruses far more successfully than could be done in the recent past. Case histories and practical suggestions for the prevention of future epidemics are given. From reviews of the hardback: "excellent examples of emerging virus diseases...an excellent training resource, and should be required reading for all infectious disease and public health professionals." Trends in Microbiology "a fine reference point for readers who wish to become familiar with the issue of emerging viruses" The Quarterly Review of Biology