Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases remain major threats to population health, health systems and social and economic stability worldwide. Outbreaks of novel pathogens, the resurgence of vaccine-preventable and neglected infections, zoonotic spillover, antimicrobial resistance, climate-sensitive transmission and cross-border spread continue to challenge preparedness and response capacities. These risks are particularly acute in settings affected by poverty, conflict, displacement, food insecurity, weak surveillance infrastructure and limited access to preventive and clinical services. This Collection seeks to advance evidence on the epidemiology, prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, with particular attention to population-level impacts and health system responses in low-resource and vulnerable settings.

Recent outbreaks have underscored the importance of timely detection, integrated surveillance and coordinated public health action. Genomic surveillance, digital epidemiology, field investigation, environmental monitoring and community-based reporting can strengthen early warning systems and improve understanding of transmission dynamics. At the same time, effective prevention and control depend on vaccination, infection prevention and control, risk communication, community engagement, vector control, cross-border collaboration and equitable access to diagnostics, therapeutics and care. Yet many countries continue to face gaps in surveillance coverage, laboratory capacity, outbreak readiness, data sharing and implementation of evidence-based interventions.

Continued research on emerging and re-emerging infections is essential for building resilient health systems and improving epidemic preparedness. Studies that integrate epidemiology, One Health approaches, implementation science, health policy, behavioral research and health economics can help clarify drivers of emergence, identify populations at greatest risk and evaluate strategies for prevention and control. As infectious disease threats become increasingly interconnected with climate change, urbanization, migration, food systems and ecological disruption, public health responses must move beyond emergency containment toward sustained, equitable and multisectoral preparedness.

In this Collection, we invite submissions covering a range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Epidemiology, transmission dynamics and population-level burden of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases
• Zoonotic spillover, One Health surveillance and environmental drivers of infectious disease emergence
• Outbreak investigation, field epidemiology and rapid response in low-resource and high-risk settings
• Genomic surveillance, pathogen evolution and integration of molecular data into public health decision-making
• Epidemic preparedness, health system resilience and implementation of prevention and control strategies
• Cross-border spread, migration, travel, conflict and displacement in relation to infectious disease transmission
• Vaccination, risk communication, community engagement and equitable access to diagnostics, treatment and care
• Climate change, urbanization, food systems, vector ecology and other social or environmental determinants of infectious disease risk

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.