Despite significant advances in infectious disease research and treatment, the control and eradication of these diseases faces major challenges. A WHO report released in 2007 warns that infectious diseases are spreading more rapidly than ever before and that new infectious diseases are being discovered at a higher rate than at any time in history. In just the past five years, the WHO has identified over 1000 epidemics of infectious diseases including avian flu, polio, and cholera. With greatly increased human mobility, infectious diseases have the potential to swiftly become global epidemics.
Some of the reasons for the difficulty in combating infectious diseases are:
New infectious diseases continue to emerge
Old infectious diseases increase in incidence or geographical distribution
Old infectious diseases previously under control begin to re-emerge
The potential for intentional introduction of infectious agents by bioterrorists
The increasing resistance of pathogens to current antimicrobial drugs
Breakdowns in public health systems and communication between nations
These challenges are considered further in Emerging Infectious Diseases and Bioterrorism Agents.
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