The traveller and emerging XXXX : sentinel, courier, transmitter.

@entity1 @entity281 @entity166
The movement of populations shapes the patterns and distribution of @entity166 globally. The consequences of travel are seen in the traveller and in places and populations visited and may persist long after travel. The traveller can be seen as an interactive biological unit who picks up, processes, carries and drops off microbial genetic material. A traveller can introduce potential pathogens in the absence of signs or symptoms of illness. Travellers can serve as a sentinel population; study of them can provide insights into the presence and level of risk of transmission of @entity281 in other geographical regions. Travellers can also be seen as couriers who inadvertently ferry pathogens and microbial genetic material to regions where researchers can carry out detailed analyses that can help to map the location and movement of strains, genotypes and resistance patterns. The laboratory plays a key role in the identification and characterization of pathogens, which can inform management of individual @entity1 and the public health response. The connectedness and mobility in the world today facilitate the emergence of @entity166 in @entity1 and also in animals and plants. Many traditional barriers have been breached by travel, roads and technology. Population size and density favour spread of many @entity281 . The rapid generation time of microbes and their capacity to adapt to changes in the physico-chemical and immunological environment will pose continuing challenges.
