International Journal of Health Policy and Management (Aug 2022)

Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2001-2018

  • Ehsan Mostafavi,
  • Abdolmajid Ghasemian,
  • Abubakar Abdinasir,
  • Seyed Alireza Nematollahi Mahani,
  • Salman Rawaf,
  • Mostafa Salehi Vaziri,
  • Mohammad Mahdi Gouya,
  • Tran Minh Nhu Nguyen,
  • Salah Al Awaidy,
  • Lubna Al Ariqi,
  • Md. Mazharul Islam,
  • Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd Farag,
  • Majdouline Obtel,
  • Peter Omondi Mala,
  • Ghassan M. Matar,
  • Rana Jawad Asghar,
  • Amal Barakat,
  • Mohammad Nadir Sahak,
  • Mariam Mansouri,
  • Alexandra Swaka

DOI
https://doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.2021.13
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 8
pp. 1286 – 1300

Abstract

Read online

Background Countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) are predisposed to highly contagious, severe and fatal, emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), and re-emerging infectious diseases (RIDs). This paper reviews the epidemiological situation of EIDs and RIDs of global concern in the EMR between 2001 and 2018. Methods To do a narrative review, a complete list of studies in the field was we prepared following a systematic search approach. Studies that were purposively reviewed were identified to summarize the epidemiological situation of each targeted disease. A comprehensive search of all published studies on EIDs and RIDs between 2001 and 2018 was carried out through search engines including Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Results Leishmaniasis, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are reported from all countries in the region. Chikungunya, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), dengue fever, and H5N1 have been increasing in number, frequency, and expanding in their geographic distribution. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which was reported in this region in 2012 is still a public health concern. There are challenges to control cholera, diphtheria, leishmaniasis, measles, and poliomyelitis in some of the countries. Moreover, Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever (AHF), and Rift Valley fever (RVF) are limited to some countries in the region. Also, there is little information about the real situation of the plague, Q fever, and tularemia. Conclusion EIDs and RIDs are prevalent in most countries in the region and could further spread within the region. It is crucial to improve regional capacities and capabilities in preventing and responding to disease outbreaks with adequate resources and expertise.

Keywords