Old World Diseases In The Brave New World

The re-emergence of diseases long thought to have been conquered the world over presents as a major public health challenge over the next decade. Diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and other vector borne diseases along with the rise of multi-drug resistant pathogens present a major challenge to the health and wellbeing of communities the world over, especially in low and middle-income economies. Diseases that afflict humans, typically fall under what may be referred to as the O.N.E. triad, i.e., the old diseases – vector borne, communicable and largely those that have been tackled through public health initiatives over the last quarter of a century. New diseases - lifestyle and non-communicable diseases, which while having existed for centuries, have emerged as a significant health challenge for the world in the past quarter of a century. And lastly, the Emerging diseases – primarily viral in origin, mutations of existing diseases or a new class of diseases that may pose significant challenges for public health over the coming quarter century. Diseases like Zika, Ebola, Yellow fever and West Nile Virus all fall under this category. These diseases, by no means cover the entire spectrum of health challenges posed by pathogens, diseases of genetic origin…