U.S. urged to take lead in detecting new diseases
| • | Deadly illness has some canceling trips to Asia |
| • | World races to identify mysterious pneumonia |
By Randolph E. Schmid
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The United States is being urged to take the lead in global efforts to detect and counter new diseases, even as medical authorities work to determine the source of a mystery illness now reported in several countries.
Margaret Hamburg, chairwoman of the Institute of Medicine committee that prepared the new study, said: "Infectious diseases cross national borders and require a global response."
The ability of the U.S. medical establishment to track and respond to infectious diseases depends on a public health structure that has been neglected for years, the report said. It urged federal, state and local governments to rebuild and maintain the staff and facilities needed to detect and deal with new diseases.
It said global surveillance, especially for new infections, is critical.
The report recommended that the U.S. government:
- Develop a national vaccine strategy to protect the public from new infections.
- Work with industry and researchers to ensure rapid development and use of vaccines for both naturally occurring and introduced threats.
- Ensure national security by stockpiling and preparing distribution systems for antibiotics, antiviral drugs and antitoxins.
- Expand efforts to prevent the growth of drug-resistant bacteria by reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics, including prohibition of their use to promote animal growth if the same antibiotic is used in humans.
- Join international groups in helping ensure the development and distribution of vaccines for diseases that primarily affect people in poor countries.
The Institute of Medicine is a private organization that provides health policy advice to the government under a congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences.
