Page 188 - fourth year book

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Introduction

Communicable diseases are the major causes of mortality and morbidity

in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and pose major impediments to

social and economic well-being. The importance of communicable

disease control has increased in recent years as a result of increased

travel, trade and migration.

Communicable diseases occur in every country in every urban and rural

area, and in every neighborhood, from the very rich to the very poor.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the WHO 2011 reported that the

most important and prevalent communicable diseases are Vector-borne

diseases (particularly malaria), tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sexually

transmitted infections, measles and vaccine-preventable diseases.

In Egypt, the WHO reported that the hepatitis has been the most

widespread and serious communicable disease over the last 25 years,

followed by pulmonary tuberculosis and meningococcal meningitis.

What are communicable diseases?

Communicable diseases refer to infectious diseases that caused by an

agents, called pathogens, are easily spread by direct or indirect contact to

travel from an infected carrier to a healthy individual. These pathogens

include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Some pathogens make

toxins that harm the body's organs. Others actually destroy cells. Some

can impair the body's natural immune system, and opportunistic

organisms set up secondary infections that cause serious illness or death.

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