Trends in Parasitology
Research FocusDisease eradication, elimination and control: the need for accurate and consistent usage
Section snippets
Concepts of control, elimination and eradication
In 1988, the International Task Force for Disease Eradication (ITFDE; http://www.cartercenter.org) was formed to evaluate systematically the potential for eradication of candidate diseases and to identify specific barriers to eradication. The criteria used to assess the feasibility of eradication are provided in Box 1 [4]. The original ITFDE used these criteria to review >90 diseases, 30 of them in depth, and concluded in 1993 that only six diseases could probably be eradicated using existing
Concluding comments
We suggest that scientists should recognize and accept the terminology of the Dahlem workshop [5]. It is also inappropriate, confusing and misleading to have different health communities (for humans and animals) involved with infectious agents and insect vectors, applying clearly defined terms so loosely and inaccurately. Editors should also assume responsibility for maintaining terminological precision.
Glossary
Glossary
- Control:
- Reduction of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity or mortality to a locally acceptable level as a result of deliberate efforts. Continued intervention measures are required to maintain the reduction.
- Elimination of disease:
- Reduction to zero of the incidence of a specified disease in a defined geographical area as a result of deliberate efforts. Continued intervention measures are required.
- Elimination of infection:
- Reduction to zero of the incidence of infection caused by a specified
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