Recurrence and emergence of infectious diseases in Djibouti city

Abstract

Public health authorities are now increasingly concerned by changes in the epidemiology of infectious diseases which may have an adverse impact on their budget plans and control strategies. Rapid increases in population and urban migration, various ecological changes, increasing poverty, and a rise in international travel have contributed to the worldwide vulnerability of human populations to the emergence, recurrence or spread of infectious diseases. In the rapidly growing city of Djibouti in East Africa, public health priorities have been altered during the last 10 years by diseases which were unknown or under control until the early 1980s. These diseases, including malaria, AIDS, tuberculosis, dengue fever and cholera, are consuming considerable resources. This article on Djibouti illustrates the epidemiological changes in the region. Besides the specific ecological and behavioural changes, which accompany rapid population growth, poverty seems to be a major cause for the emergence and recurrence of infectious diseases.

PIP: The growing prevalence of diseases which were unknown or under control until the early 1980s, such as malaria, AIDS, tuberculosis, dengue fever, and cholera, consume considerable resources and have changed public health priorities in Djibouti over the last 10 years. Poverty seems to be a major cause for the emergence and recurrence of these infectious diseases. Epidemiological changes in the region are discussed. Public health authorities are increasingly concerned by those changes which may have an adverse impact upon budget plans and control strategies. Rapid increases in population and urban migration, ecological changes, increasing poverty, and a rise in international travel have contributed to the worldwide vulnerability of human populations to the emergence, recurrence, or spread of infectious diseases.