Diseases

In spite of several medical advances that have created hundreds of drugs that are safe and effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, infectious diseases are still a major cause of death, disability and social and economic turmoil for millions around the world and especially in the developing countries. More than 90 percent of the deaths from infectious diseases worldwide are caused by only a handful of diseases. These diseases - lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, malaria and measles - are also the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. And, while not major killers, a number of the world's 'neglected' infectious diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, intestinal parasites, leprosy and onchocerciasis cause chronic disability and stigma for millions

Beyond the general ecology of many developing countries, a number of social and economic factors contribute to the high rates of infectious disease. Poverty, lack of access to health care, antibiotic resistance, evolving human migration patterns, new infectious agents, and changing environmental and development activities all contribute to the expanding impact of infectious diseases.