Abstract

New data of recent researches on genetics and epidemiology imply the idea of rapidly evolving viruses through DNA recombination, which leads to the establishment of new virus families, eventually adapted to the environmental conditions. Consequently the framework of the epidemiological studies widens, replacing the classic aspect of the bilateral virus—host coexistence.An holistic evolutionary approach, considering all the complex interrelationship among viruses, parasites and hosts, in conjugation with the environmental changes is developing.Molecular epidemiology and updated population models renew the health strategy bringing together experts from the fields of population biology, evolution and infectious diseases.The related ethical issues, which consequently emerge should be faced accordingly.