The study of animal viruses is important from a
veterinary viewpoint and many of these viruses
causes diseases that are economically
devastating. Many animal viruses are also
important from a human medical perspective. The
emergence of the SARS virus in the human
population, coming from an animal source,
highlights the importance of animals in harbouring
infectious agents; avian influenza viruses can
directly infect humans. In addition research into
animal viruses has made an important
contribution to our understanding of viruses in
general, their replication, molecular biology,
evolution and interaction with the host.