Mitigating the spread of emerging and resurgent airborne infectious diseases: Strategies, challenges and future directions

The resurgence of airborne infectious diseases, including measles, COVID-19, and tuberculosis, has raised significant public health concerns globally. These diseases, transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols, present unique challenges, particularly in indoor spaces where vulnerable populations are at greater risk. This article provides a comprehensive review of current strategies to mitigate airborne infectious diseases, examining both emerging and resurgent threats. It categorizes and evaluates interventions such as source control (masking and physical distancing), ventilation improvements, and air filtration, assessing their real-world effectiveness in reducing infection rates and enhancing indoor air quality. The article also explores the synergistic effects of combining multiple strategies and addresses implementation challenges related to cost, compliance, and infrastructure. It highlights gaps in current knowledge, particularly regarding the integration of advanced technologies and the long-term impact of combined interventions. The review concludes by proposing future research directions aimed at refining mitigation strategies, optimizing ventilation and air purification systems, and integrating artificial intelligence to enhance public health responses. Ultimately, it advocates for a holistic, evidence-based approach to improve public health preparedness against airborne infectious diseases.