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Control of infectious disease a global issue

VIEWS & REVIEWS

'There is both good news and bad news concerning infectious disease control globally', says Alan Hinman.

Among the good news is the fact that smallpox has been eradicated, poliomyelitis is . on track' and many other infectious diseases are under control in most areas of the world. These advances are primarily the result of effective vaccine use, improved sanitation and introduction of specific therapies. "" ew and improved vaccines, and other new strategies to deal with infectious disease are being developed , says Mr Hinman.

The bad news is that infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Old diseases are returning and drug resistance is becoming a major problem, says Mr Hinman. Borrelia burgdorferi , Bartonella henselae, Sin nombre virus and herpesvirus-6 and herpesvirus-8 are only a few examples of recently recognised pathogens .

An uneven burden The burden of infectious disease is not spread

evenly around the world. According to the WHO, infectious diseases account for only one of the 10 leading causes of death in developed countries while they account for 5 of the 10 leading causes of death in developing countries.

A strategic plan for communicable disease control has been developed by the WHO with the aim to: • strengthen global surveillance of communicable

diseases • strengthen the national and international infra­

structure necessary to recognise, report and respond to emerging disea<;es

• strengthen the national and international capacity for prevention and control of communicable diseases

• support and promote research in communicable disease control.

Hinman AR. Global progress In Infcctious discase control. Vaccine 16: 1116·112I.Jull99H .,,,,,,,,n ,

Inpharma'" 8 Aug 1998 No. 1149 1173·8324/9811149·0004/$01 .000 Adi. International Limited 1998. All right. reserved