On a come-back trail

DISEASES Once considered eradicated
seem to have made an alarming
reappearance across countries in
Europe, according to the World
Health Organization (WHO). At a recent
conference organised by the world
health body in London, UK, its officials
have sought a us $20 million assistance
to control cholera, diptheria and sexually
transmitted diseases, in a 10-point
programme.

Probing into the resurgence of these
once-forgotten diseases, Jo Asvall,
regional director, WHO, believes that
while the collapse of the communist
regime allowed several new countries to emerge, it also led to an economic collapse in these countries. "In consequence, we are seeing a re-emergence of
diseases that we thought were safely
behind us. Communicable diseases
won't stop at border crossings",
observes Asvall.

Syphilis infections in eastern Europe
have risen dramatically since the '90s. In
the Black Sea region, cholera cases have
risen nine-fold between 1993-94.
Diptheria, which was almost eliminated,
has returned with a vengeance, claiming
1,500 lives in the last year alone.
Tuberculosis cases also have increased
worldwide. Asvall predicts that 30 million people will die of tuberculosis in the
next 10 years - more than from
AIDS, malaria and tropical diseases
put together.