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1 Feature The Fight Against Infectious Diseases The Fight Against Infectious Diseases A child with HIV/AIDS symptoms receiving a nutritional supplement (Zambia). The Current Status of Infectious Disease and Control Measures Around 1970, momentum was gained that may have led to infectious diseases being brought under control. This was due to the development and spread of antibiotics and vaccines, improvements in sanitation, and better nutrition, and it was exemplified by the declaration of smallpox eradication in 1980. Since that time, however, human beings have come under assault from previously unknown infectious diseases. The typical example of this is acquired immune Figure 1-1 The Mechanism of Infectious Diseases Elimination of vector Creation of an environment where it is difficult for vector to breed Reduction of contact with pathogens (hygiene) Routes of infection Existence of host and vector (intermediate host) + breeding conditions Air, water, blood and feces of infected person, etc. Invasion of human body (via skin, mouth, etc.) Detection, testing and diagnosis of patients Human being Treatment (deworming through medication*, surgery, etc.) Release into the environment, invasion of vector/carrier Creation of an environment where it is difficult for pathogens to survive The specific infection routes vary according to the type of infectious disease Increased resistance (nutrition, immunity, vaccination*) Infected person Reduction of release of pathogens into the environment (quarantine) Elimination of pathogens (disinfection) 14 deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which was first reported in 1981 and is now a socio-economic problem for developing countries. In addition, newly emerging infectious diseases*1 such as Creuzfeld-Jakob disease*2, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Legionnaires’ disease, and O157 have emerged. Furthermore, drug resistant strains of re-emerging infectious diseases*3 such as tuberculosis and malaria have spread widely, rendering previous treatments ineffective. Diseases such as whooping cough, salmonella, rabies and dengue fever also continue to be prevalent. Behind the question of why attention was once again *Note: There are no vaccines or treatments for some infectious diseases Shows the movement of pathogens (microorganisms) Shows main countermeasures I JICA’s work against the problem of infectious diseases dates back to the early days of Japan’s ODA after World War II when its predecessor, the Overseas Figure 1-2 HIV/AIDS Currently over 36 million people around the world are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus*4 (HIV), and 21.8 million have already died from AIDS as of December 2000. In addition, at present approximately 16,000 people are infected every day, and it is estimated that 95% of those infections take place in developing countries (refer to Figure 1-2). AIDS was first reported in 1981, and JICA became involved in control measures against AIDS a few years later. The AIDS serological diagnosis and seroepidemiological research, which was conducted as part of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research project (October 1986 to September 1991) in Ghana, Feature/The Fight Against Infectious Diseases Outline of JICA’s Activities to Combat Infectious Disease Technical Cooperation Agency (OTCA), began control projects against tuberculosis. Cooperation projects were later conducted over a wide range of fields, including malaria and childhood infectious diseases. Below is an outline of JICA’s cooperation activities against major infectious diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, parasitic diseases and vector-borne diseases, malaria and polio. These are the priorities in the infectious disease control strategy based on the Okinawa Infectious Diseases Initiative and other policies described previously. Chapter 1 focused on these kinds of infectious diseases in the 1990s is the impact of globalization. The frequent international movement of people and goods meant that infectious diseases that had previously been considered local became worldwide problems. In addition, as a result of the population explosion and environmental destruction, human areas of habitation have encroached on animal habitats that had previously been separate. This has led to an increase in zoonosis. There is also the impact of unsanitary environments involving drinking water, sewage systems, and so forth. (refer to Figure 1-1). With the global spread of infectious diseases, control measures have been on the agenda at forums for international discussion. At the 1998 G8 Birmingham Summit, Japan proposed the “Hashimoto Initiative for Global Parasitic Disease Control.” Further, at the 2000 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit, Japan was instrumental in initiating the “Okinawa Infectious Diseases Initiative,” in which developed nations announced a strengthening of measures against infectious disease. Trend in the Number of People Infected with HIV (People) 30 million Latin America, Caribbean Highly industrialized countries Eastern Europe and Central Asia North Africa and Middle East 25 million 20 million Sub-Saharan Africa 15 million 10 million Southern and Eastern Asia 5 million 0 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 2000 (Year) (UNAIDS data) 15 Feature The Fight Against Infectious Diseases was JICA’s first effort to tackle AIDS. Since then, JICA has implemented Technical Cooperation projects across a wide range of fields, including prevention, education, human resources development for basic research, and measures to prevent transmission from mother to infant. These projects have mainly taken place in Asia and Africa, including Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, Ghana and Zambia. In addition, JICA has also provided equipment for AIDS diagnosis, blood testing and educational activities for anti-AIDS campaigns through its Anti-AIDS Equipment Donation programs. The Japanese Government decided to provide equipment for blood screening and educational activities against AIDS through Grant Aid programs for the first time in Viet Nam. In Thailand, where the number of people infected with HIV has risen sharply since the end of the 1980s, JICA has implemented AIDS cooperation projects that are based at the National Institute of Health, which was constructed by Japanese Grant Aid. By strengthening the research and analytical capacities and improving education materials, JICA has supported the basic infrastructure* for anti-AIDS activities in Thailand. There are still many hurdles which we have to overcome for the control of AIDs—no vaccine or Main Cooperation over the Last Ten Years AIDS ● Project-type Technical Cooperation Philippines: Project for Prevention and Control of AIDS (July 1996–June 2001) Thailand: Project for Prevention and Control of AIDS in the Kingdom of Thailand (July 1993–June 1996) Thailand: Project for Model Development of Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care (February 1998–January 2003) Thailand: Project for Strengthening of National Institute of Health Capabilities for Research and Development on AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases (March 1999–February 2004) Ghana: The Noguchi Memorial Institute Project, Phase II in Ghana (October 1991–September 1997) Ghana: The Infectious Diseases Project at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (January 1999–December 2003) Kenya: The Research and Control of Infectious Diseases Project in Kenya: Phase II (May 1996–April 2001) Kenya: Research and Control of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Project (May 2001–April 2006) Zambia: Infectious Diseases Control Project (April 1995–March 2000) Zambia: The Strengthening of Laboratory Systems for HIV/AIDS and TB Control Project (March 2001–March 2006) Brazil: The Clinical Research Project of State University of Campinas in Brazil (April 1999–March 2002) ● Equipment Supply Program for AIDS Strategy and Blood Testing (1996–) Provision of HIV testing equipment, testing kits, AIDS educational materials, and other items to Philippines, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico and South Africa. ● Training in Japan Virological Diagnosis Techniques of HIV Infection (AIDS) (1993–) 16 The Third International Parasite Countermeasures Workshop was held based on the Hashimoto Initiative. Eighteen administrators involved in the formulation of antiparasite measures from 13 countries in Asia and Africa visited Japan for training. treatment has been developed for AIDS. Furthermore, treatment to delay the onset of symptoms involves the long-term use of a number of medications, which is expensive. Enormous cost is also required to control opportunistic infections*5 such as tuberculosis and in infection prevention programs. Tuberculosis It is estimated that approximately 1.9 billion people, or one-third of the global population of six billion, are already infected with the tubercle bacillus. Every year eight million of these people contract the disease. HIV/AIDS Control Plan (1996) Seminar on Epidemiology and Control of AIDS/ATL Diseases (1998–) South Asia HIV/AIDS Control Plan (1998–) ● Third-country Training Philippines: Laboratory Diagnosis of HIV and Opportunistic Infections in AIDS (1997–2000) Kenya: Blood Screening for Viral Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS (1999–) ● Community Empowerment Program Thailand: Northern Thailand AIDS Prevention Care Through Community Organization South Africa: Adolescent Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Project Zambia: Zambia HIV Prevention Borders Initiative Zimbabwe: Reproductive Health Care for Young People Mexico: Sexual Health Program for Street Children ● Grant Aid Viet Nam: The Project for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS Transmission (2000) Tuberculosis ● Project-type Technical Cooperation Cambodia: National Tuberculosis Control Project in the Kingdom of Cambodia (August 1999–July 2004) Myanmar: Leprosy Control and Basic Health Service Project (April 2000–March 2005) Nepal: The National Tuberculosis Control Project Phase I, II (April 1987–July 2000) Nepal: Community Tuberculosis and Lung Health Project (September 2000–August 2005) Philippines: Public Health Development Project (September 1992–August 1997) Philippines: Tuberculosis Control Project in the Philippines (September 1997–August 2002) Yemen: The Tuberculosis Control Project I-III (1983–1993, 1993–1998, I Malarial and Other Parasitic and Vector-Borne Diseases ● Project-type Technical Cooperation Laos: Joint Japan/WHO Technical Cooperation for the Primary Health Care Project in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (October 1992–September 1998) Feature/The Fight Against Infectious Diseases August 1999–August 2004) The Infectious Diseases Project at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (January 1999–December 2003) Zambia: The Strengthening of Laboratory Systems for HIV/AIDS and TB Control Project (March 2001–March 2006) Solomon Islands: The Project for Promotion of Primary Health Care in Solomon Islands (September 1991–September 1996) ● Training in Japan Laboratory Works for Tuberculosis Control (1993–1994) Tuberculosis Control for Administrative Medical Officers (1993–1995) National Tuberculosis Programme Management (1996–) Tuberculosis Control Laboratory Management (2000–) Managing Tuberculosis at Intermediate-Level (2000–) ● Community Empowerment Program The Philippines: Relief Program of Indigent Tuberculosis Patients ● Grant Aid Cambodia: The Project for Improvement of the National Tuberculosis Center (1999) China: The Project for Improvement of Equipment for the Tibet Tuberculosis Control Center (1994) China: The Project for Tuberculosis Control in Poor Areas (2000) Philippines: The Project for Establishment of the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (2000) Yemen: The Project for Expansion of National Tuberculosis Control Program (1991) Yemen: The Project for Expansion of Tuberculosis Control in the Southern Governorate (2000) Ghana: Malarial and Other Parasitic and Vector-Borne Diseases JICA has also provided Technical Cooperation in the area of parasitic and vector-borne diseases. This includes work against malaria in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Tanzania, and control programs against oncheriasis and Chagas’ disease in Central and South America. Further, since the concept of primary health care (PHC) was hammered out in the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration, JICA has implemented strategies to combat parasitic diseases in countries such as the Solomon Islands, Malawi and Zimbabwe as part of PHC projects. In the Solomon Islands, JICA conducted a primary health care promotion project based at the Malaria Education and Research Center, which was established with the support of Japanese Grant Aid. The results included a reduction in the number of malaria patients in the capital of Honiara, the pilot area. In recent years, JICA has established bases for human resources development and research activities in Asia and Africa based on the Hashimoto Initiative for Global Parasitic Disease Control, drawing on Japan’s post-war experience in parasitic disease control. In order to give concrete shape to the concept of Chapter 1 Many tuberculosis patients are poor women of reproductive age, and this means the disease has a major impact on families, children and society. Because symptoms are chronic and treatment takes time, the vicious cycle of poverty and tuberculosis problems presents a serious challenge. Control measures against tuberculosis are an area where the experience and knowledge gained from Japan’s post-war success can be utilized, and JICA is currently conducting projects in Cambodia, the Philippines, Nepal and Yemen. These projects have been implemented in a collaborative manner with the World Health Organization (WHO) and are based on the Directly Observed Treatments Short-course*6 (DOTS) strategy. In particular, JICA’s anti-tuberculosis project in the Philippines has contributed to the WHO in establishing its worldwide DOTS strategy. The success of the project was well received and became the prototype for subsequent WHO anti-tuberculosis programs. There is also a new threat from the sharply increasing number of people infected with HIV who are at high risk of contracting tuberculosis as an opportunistic infection. Therefore, combined strategies to address tuberculosis and AIDS have become a major issue. Thailand: The Project for the Asian Center for International Parasite Control (March 2000–March 2005) Ghana: The Noguchi Memorial Institute Project, Phase II in Ghana (October 1991–September 1997) Ghana: The Infectious Diseases Project at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (January 1999–December 2003) Kenya: Research and Control of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Project (May 2001–April 2006) Malawi: Community Health Sciences Project (September 1994–August 1999) Zimbabwe: The Project of Infectious Diseases Control (July 1996–June 2001) Guatemala: Project of Research for Control of Tropical Diseases in Guatemala (October 1991–September 1998) Paraguay: The Research on Chagas’ Disease and Other Parasitic Diseases (March 1988–March 1993) Paraguay: Community Health Project in Paraguay (December 1994–November 1999) Solomon Islands: The Project for Promotion of Primary Health Care in Solomon Islands (September 1991–August 1996) ● Training in Japan Seminar on Parasite Control Administration for Senior Officers (1993–1998) Echinococcosis Control Measures (1994–2000) Seminar on Parasite Control Administration for Senior Officers—A Step Towards Primary Health Care— (1999–) ● Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Dispatch of volunteers such as malaria control, community development, laboratory technician and nursing to Laos, Guatemala, Niger and Senegal. ● Community Empowerment Program Ghana: Integrated Family Planning, Nutrition and Parasitic Control Project ● Grant Aid Laos: The Project for Malaria Control (1998) Senegal: The Project for Reinforcement of Mother and Child Health and Measures Against Malaria (2000) 17 Feature The Fight Against Infectious Diseases promoting countermeasures against parasitic diseases from the perspective of South-South cooperation*, JICA has advanced projects that are the focus for cooperation in human resources development and research in Asia and Africa. In March 1999, JICA began a project at Mahidol University in Thailand that will become the Asian center for human resources development for neighboring countries (refer to p.57). Furthermore, in the spring of 2001, we began a project at Kenya’s Central Medical Research Institute, to be the center for East Africa. At the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana, which is expected to be the regional core center for infectious diseases control in West Africa, we are advancing Figure 1-3 Trends in the Number of Polio Cases in the Western Pacific Region A child receiving a polio vaccine on National Immunization Day (NID) (Bangladesh). preparations for third-country training*, in order to improve the skills of researchers in the field of parasites from neighboring countries. (People) 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 (Year) (WHO Western Pacific Regional Office data) ● JICA Partnership Program Papua New Guinea: Integrated Cooperative Research for Malaria Control (2001) Polio ● Project-type Technical Cooperation China: Polio Control Project in the People’s Republic of China (December 1991–December 1999) Indonesia: Fundamental Technology Transfer Project for Production of Live Attenuate, Measles and Poliomyelitis Vaccines in Indonesia (September 1989–August 1996) Laos: Joint Japan/WHO Technical Cooperation for the Primary Health Care Project in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (October 1992–September 1998) Laos: Pediatric Infectious Diseases Prevention Project in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (October 1998–September 2001) Mongolia: Maternal and Child Health Project in Mongolia (October 1997–September 2002) Ethiopia: Laboratory Support for Polio Eradication: LAST Polio Project (April 2001–April 2004) ● Equipment Supply Program for Measures Against Infectious Diseases (Measures Against Polio) Provision of supplies including vaccines and cold chain needed for immunization to China, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Yemen, Tanzania, Central Africa and Cameroon. ● Training in Japan Virological Diagnosis Technique for Polio Eradication Programme (1991–) 18 Polio The eradication of polio was advocated at the 41st WHO General Meeting in 1988, and since then Japan has provided active support for the realization of this objective. At the end of October 2000, it was announced in Kyoto that transmission of the wild polio virus had been eradicated in the Western Pacific region (refer to Figure 1-3). This is a success story in which aid from Japan, the largest donor* nation in the region, produced visible results. ● Third-country Training Ghana: Vaccine Potency Testing and Polio Diagnosis Procedures (1991–1996) Ghana: Laboratory Diagnosis of Yellow Fever and Other EPI Viral Diseases (Polio and Measles) (1996–1998) ● Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Dispatch of polio control volunteers to Bangladesh, Niger and Kenya. ● Grant Aid Bangladesh: The Project for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (1995–1997) China: The Project for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (1993–1995) India: The Project for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (1996–1997) Indonesia: Project for the Construction of the Facilities for Live Attenuated Oral Poliomyelitis and Measles Vaccine Production (1991) Pakistan: The Project for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (1996) Côte d’Ivoire: The Project for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (1997) Ghana: The Project for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (1997) Kenya: The Project for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (1997) Tanzania: The Project for the Eradication of Poliomyelitis (1997) Other Infectious Diseases ● Project-type Technical Cooperation China: Expanded Program on Immunization Strengthening Project (June 2000–May 2005) India: The Project for Prevention of Emerging Diarrheal Diseases in India (February 1998–January 2003) Myanmar: Leprosy Control and Basic Health Service Project (April 2000–March 2005) I Project for Strengthening of National Institute of Health Capabilities for Research and Development on AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases (March 1999–February 2004) Turkey: The Infectious Diseases Control Project in the Republic of Turkey (October 1997–September 2002) Ghana: The Noguchi Memorial Institute Project, Phase II in Ghana (October 1991–September 1997) Kenya: The Research and Control of Infectious Diseases Project in Kenya: Follow-up (May 1990–April 1996) Kenya: The Research and Control of Infectious Diseases Project in Kenya: Phase II (May 1996–April 2001) Zambia: Infectious Disease Control Project (April 1995–March 2000) ● Training in Japan Management and Technology in Microbiological Laboratory (1992–1998) Patient Care for Infectious Diseases (1993–1995) Seminar on Blood Transmitted Diseases (Special Reference to AIDS, ATL & Hepatitis) (1993–1997) Infectious Disease Medicine (1996–2000) Seminar on Infectious Hepatitis, its Epidemiology and Control (1998–2000) Diagnoses and Control of Rabies and Other Viral Zoonoses (1996–2000) ● Grant Aid Bangladesh: The Expanded Program on Immunization Plan for Neonatal Tetanus Elimination and Control of Measles (1998–1999) Cambodia: The Project for Improvement of Equipment for Immunization (1995) China: The Project for Improvement of Equipment for Immunization (1994) China: The Project for Virus Examination Equipment Supply (1997) China: The Expanded Program on Immunization Plan (1998) Feature/The Fight Against Infectious Diseases Thailand: Other Infectious Diseases There are many infectious diseases that have been challenges in developing countries for many years in addition to those described above. In particular, it is estimated that more than 10 million children aged five and under die every year. Ninety-nine percent of these children live in developing countries, of whom 63% die from infectious diseases (1998 WHO estimates). The main infectious diseases are acute respiratory infections such as pneumonia, which kills approximately 2 million per year; diarrhea caused by salmonella and cholera, which kills approximately 1.5 million per year; measles (about 1 million); and malaria (about 1 million). As part of measures to address these infectious diseases, JICA has implemented cooperation that includes human resources development through Technical Chapter 1 The anti-polio project in China, which began in 1990, made a pioneering and significant contribution to the eradication of polio in this region. In addition, we have implemented Technical Cooperation projects and polio countermeasures in both Laos and Mongolia. We have also provided equipment and supplies that include vaccines and cold chain transport needed for national immunization days (NIDs), which are essential for polio eradication, to various countries in Asia and Africa. This aid comes to a total of approximately 3.1 billion yen (1993–2000, approximately 16 billion yen if Grant Aid is included) and has contributed to a reduction in the number of polio patients. Between 1989 and 1996, we conducted the Fundamental Technology Transfer Project for Production of Live Attenuate in Indonesia, and transferred production technology for polio and measles vaccines. Even today, nearly 6,000 cases of polio are reported every year in approximately 30 countries. Many cases are still being reported in Southwest Asia and Africa. The eradication of polio cannot be accomplished by some specific countries or regions. That is why it is necessary to provide ongoing support for the global eradication of polio while working in collaboration with international organizations such as the WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Specially offered training, “Tuberculosis Control for Administrative Medical Officers.” JICA has conducted training that targets people in charge of tuberculosis programs at the national level. Indonesia: Project for the Construction of the National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases (1991–1992) Indonesia: The Expanded Program on Immunization Plan for Neonatal Tetanus Elimination and Control of Measles (1998) Laos: The Project for Improvement of Equipment for Immunization (1995) Uzbekistan: The Project for Provision of Vaccines for Children (2000) Viet Nam: The Project for Improvement of Equipment for Immunization (1995) Viet Nam: The Project for Accelerated Measles Control (2000) Yemen: The Project for Improvement of Cold Chain System (1998) Palestine: The Project for the Expansion of Immunization (1999), The Project for the Expansion of Immunization (Phase II) (2000) Angola: The Project for Improvement of Child Health (2000) Central Africa: The Project for Reinforcement of Mother and Child Health and Measures Against Diseases (2000) Ghana: The Project for Improvement of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (1997, 1998) Guinea: The Expanded Program on Immunization Plan (2000) Kenya: The Project for Strengthening the System for Immunization (1999) Mali: The Expanded Program on Immunization Plan (2000) Tanzania: The Project for Improvement of the Equipment for Immunization and Micronutrient Program (1999) Bolivia: The Expanded Program on Immunization Plan (1998) Haiti: The Project for Improvement of Child Health (1997), The Project for Improvement of Child Health (Phase II) (1999) Nicaragua: The Project for Improvement of Child Health (1998), The Project for Improvement of Child Health (Phase II) (2000) 19 Feature The Fight Against Infectious Diseases Cooperation and the provision of equipment (such as vaccines, medical examination equipment to combat acute respiratory infections and diarrhea and essential drugs*7) in order to support the Expanded Program on Immunization*8 (EPI) in developing countries. These diseases are not major challenges in developed countries. However, in developing countries, where many children live with poor nutrition and substandard sanitation and without adequate medical services, they are a significant and chronic challenge. Future Issues and Strategies As previously stated, JICA has used a variety of methods to implement cooperation to combat infectious diseases in many developing countries. However, the threat of infectious diseases has not yet diminished. Until now, JICA has implemented cooperation focused on research on the viruses and bacteria that cause infectious diseases, improvements in examination technology and preventative health education. Infectious diseases are a hindrance to people’s lives. From this perspective, it is necessary to pay attention to everything related to the lives of human beings. In other words, in addition to cooperation as implemented up to now, an extremely wide range of cooperation that covers a variety of fields is required. These fields include cooperation to facilitate the supply of safe water, cooperation to enhance resistance to disease through stable food supplies and nutrition and literacy education so that people can obtain the information they need to lead lives free from disease. In the field of health and medical cooperation, there are naturally limits to eradication of infectious diseases one by one. Even in cases where cooperation is devoted to one infectious disease, it is important that attention is given to strengthening the system of supply for medical services, improving people’s awareness of health issues and expanding the effects of cooperation to other infectious disease strategies and the prevention of non-infectious diseases. In the process of conquering infectious diseases in post-war Japan, the public played the major role in securing drinking water, establishing toilets, eradicating flies, mosquitoes and mice, improving nutrition, and school health care. On top of this social infrastructure*, 20 A young girl suffering from polio who cannot walk unaided. The vaccine is ineffective once polio is contracted (Niger). a health care system for immunization and maternity and child health examination was established. While it is not necessary for developing countries to follow this process exactly, it is necessary for JICA to work in harmony with international aid trends to combat infectious diseases and to steadily promote a wide range of cooperation in order to decrease the threat from infectious diseases while promoting developing countries’ ownership* of cooperation. Notes: 1. A previously unknown, newly recognized infectious disease that constitutes a public health problem either locally or internationally (WHO definition). 2. A disease leading to dementia that is believed to originate from mad cow disease in which the human brain becomes spongy. 3. A previously known infectious disease—for which the number of cases had decreased to a level where it was no longer considered a public health problem—that has begun to spread again with increasing numbers of cases (WHO definition). 4. The virus that causes AIDS. It invades immune cells and decreases immunity. 5. Infectious diseases that occur when the host’s immunity is lowered. Caused by micro-organisms with low toxicity levels that are not usually pathogenic. 6. A method of treatment in which a health worker checks each time a patient takes a dose of medication. 7. Defined as medicines that meet the medical treatment needs of the majority of people. A list of pharmaceuticals is defined by each country with the purpose of supplying drugs effectively, safely and at low cost with limited government finances. 8. A project to promote immunization against six major childhood diseases including polio, measles and whooping cough.