- Email: [email protected]
A strategic plan for Japanese encephalitis control by 2015
Reflection and Reaction
Dafna Yahav, *Mical Paul, Leonard Leibovici Internal Medicine E (DY, LL) and Infectious Diseases Unit (MP), Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petach Tikva, 49100, Israel [email protected]
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We declare that we have no conflicts of interest. 1 2
Keirns CC, Carr BG. From the emergency department to vital statistics: cause of death uncertain. Acad Emerg Med 2008; 15: 768–75. Attems J, Arbes S, Böhm G, Böhmer F, Lintner F. The clinical diagnostic accuracy rate regarding the immediate cause of death in a hospitalized geriatric population; an autopsy study of 1594 patients. Wien Med Wochenschr 2004; 154: 159–62.
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Ravakhah K. Death certificates are not reliable: revivification of the autopsy. South Med J 2006; 99: 728–33. Copelan E, Casper JT, Carter SL, et al. A scheme for defining cause of death and its application in the T cell depletion trial. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2007; 13: 1469–76. Yahav D, Paul M, Fraser A, Sarid N, Leibovici L. Efficacy and safety of cefepime: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis 2007; 7: 338–48. FDA. Update of safety review: follow up to the November 14, 2007, communications about the ongoing safety review of cefepime (marketed as Maxipime). http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/cefepime_ update_200805.htm (accessed Nov 10, 2008).
The Newsdesk feature by Kathryn Senior anticipating Japanese encephalitis (JE) control by 2013—and the GAVI Alliance’s consideration of JE vaccine for future funding— are encouraging examples of growing awareness about this devastating, neglected disease.1 The past few years have seen great strides toward controlling JE, spurred by improved and expanded surveillance in endemic countries; increased availability of a safe, effective, and affordable vaccine; introduction of JE immunization programmes in several countries; and the efforts of committed stakeholders. Global partners need to build on this momentum and ensure that recent accomplishments represent a sustainable shift. Multiple organisations—including PATH, WHO, UNICEF, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, universities, and others—are currently developing a strategic plan for JE control by 2015 and beyond in agreement with countries’ priorities. By establishing a coalition of partners to assume the responsibilities needed to maintain progress and catalyze fundraising for countries most in need, we believe this ambitious target is attainable. Several key programmatic areas need to be addressed to achieve this goal. Improved understanding of disease burden through surveillance is essential. Procurement support for poor countries will ensure access to safe and affordable vaccines. Technical assistance to countries that have decided to introduce JE vaccine will speed these efforts. And, finally, dedicated advocacy will keep JE on national, regional, and international agendas. With clear roles and responsibilities defined and international donors engaged, we believe that JE can be www.thelancet.com/infection Vol 9 January 2009
Dr Tony Brain/Science Photo Library
A strategic plan for Japanese encephalitis control by 2015
Head of a Culex sp mosquito, the vector of Japanese encephalitis
controlled, relieving the economic burden on national health systems and protecting vulnerable children and families who experience the greatest impact. *Chris Elias, Jean Marie Okwo-Bele, Marc Fischer PATH, Seattle, WA, USA; Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; and Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA [email protected] We declare that we have no conflicts of interest. 1
Senior K. Is Japanese encephalitis control achievable by 2013? Lancet Infect Dis 2008; 8: 534.
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Dafna Yahav, *Mical Paul, Leonard Leibovici Internal Medicine E (DY, LL) and Infectious Diseases Unit (MP), Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petach Tikva, 49100, Israel [email protected]
3 4
5
We declare that we have no conflicts of interest. 1 2
Keirns CC, Carr BG. From the emergency department to vital statistics: cause of death uncertain. Acad Emerg Med 2008; 15: 768–75. Attems J, Arbes S, Böhm G, Böhmer F, Lintner F. The clinical diagnostic accuracy rate regarding the immediate cause of death in a hospitalized geriatric population; an autopsy study of 1594 patients. Wien Med Wochenschr 2004; 154: 159–62.
6
Ravakhah K. Death certificates are not reliable: revivification of the autopsy. South Med J 2006; 99: 728–33. Copelan E, Casper JT, Carter SL, et al. A scheme for defining cause of death and its application in the T cell depletion trial. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2007; 13: 1469–76. Yahav D, Paul M, Fraser A, Sarid N, Leibovici L. Efficacy and safety of cefepime: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis 2007; 7: 338–48. FDA. Update of safety review: follow up to the November 14, 2007, communications about the ongoing safety review of cefepime (marketed as Maxipime). http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/cefepime_ update_200805.htm (accessed Nov 10, 2008).
The Newsdesk feature by Kathryn Senior anticipating Japanese encephalitis (JE) control by 2013—and the GAVI Alliance’s consideration of JE vaccine for future funding— are encouraging examples of growing awareness about this devastating, neglected disease.1 The past few years have seen great strides toward controlling JE, spurred by improved and expanded surveillance in endemic countries; increased availability of a safe, effective, and affordable vaccine; introduction of JE immunization programmes in several countries; and the efforts of committed stakeholders. Global partners need to build on this momentum and ensure that recent accomplishments represent a sustainable shift. Multiple organisations—including PATH, WHO, UNICEF, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, universities, and others—are currently developing a strategic plan for JE control by 2015 and beyond in agreement with countries’ priorities. By establishing a coalition of partners to assume the responsibilities needed to maintain progress and catalyze fundraising for countries most in need, we believe this ambitious target is attainable. Several key programmatic areas need to be addressed to achieve this goal. Improved understanding of disease burden through surveillance is essential. Procurement support for poor countries will ensure access to safe and affordable vaccines. Technical assistance to countries that have decided to introduce JE vaccine will speed these efforts. And, finally, dedicated advocacy will keep JE on national, regional, and international agendas. With clear roles and responsibilities defined and international donors engaged, we believe that JE can be www.thelancet.com/infection Vol 9 January 2009
Dr Tony Brain/Science Photo Library
A strategic plan for Japanese encephalitis control by 2015
Head of a Culex sp mosquito, the vector of Japanese encephalitis
controlled, relieving the economic burden on national health systems and protecting vulnerable children and families who experience the greatest impact. *Chris Elias, Jean Marie Okwo-Bele, Marc Fischer PATH, Seattle, WA, USA; Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; and Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA [email protected] We declare that we have no conflicts of interest. 1
Senior K. Is Japanese encephalitis control achievable by 2013? Lancet Infect Dis 2008; 8: 534.
7