COVID-19 in comparison with other emerging viral diseases: risk of geographic spread via travel

Abstract Purpose of review The COVID-19 pandemic poses a major global health threat. rapid spread was facilitated by air travel although rigorous bans and lockdowns were able to slow down the spread. How does compare with other emerging viral diseases past two decades? Recent findings Viral outbreaks differ in many ways, such as individuals most at risk e.g. pregnant women for Zika elderly COVID-19, their vectors transmission, fatality rate, transmissibility often measured basic reproduction number. geographic via differs significantly between infectious diseases. Summary is not associated highest case rate compared SARS Ebola, but combination high number, superspreading events globally immunologically naïve population has led number deaths 20 decade any pandemic.