WORLD HEAL'IH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL COMMITTEE
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC WP/RC5/5
19 July 1954 Fifth Session Manila ~ September 1954 A~enda
ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH
Item 11.1.1
ENDEMICITY OF INSBCT-BORNE VIRUS DISEASES J;N THE WESTERN PACIFIC IN REIATION TO THEm IMPOR"t\NCE AND CONI'ROL
One of the major developments in the last decade has been the adva~e in laboratory techniques leading to the unravelling of the epidemiology of virus diseases and thus to a study ~f methods of their spread and control. A feature of the last quinquennium has been the rapid appearanoa of virus laboratories in many countries of the world and in the Western Pacific; new knowledge has appeared regarding the varied pattern of virus diseases in the countries concerned, and a demand for trained virologists and epidemiologists to work toward their control has developed. Central reference laboratories have been established for the carrying out of complex tests on the properties of the viruses, while field stations in many countries are concerned with their epidemiology and with surveys of · their incidence and distribution in both human and animal populations. There is rapidly increasing evidence that the virus diseases are a large group which cover a considerable pa,rt of the ill-defined mortality and J{brbidity of the world, particularly in the tropical and sub-tropical regions, where insect vectors are common and the meteorological conditions suitable to the survival of agent and vector. The same virus is b~ing reported in widely separated zoo-~ographical regions, and well-known viruses such as yellow fever, dengue, and the members of the encephalitic group are shown to have immunological overlaps. The behaviour of viruses in different arthropod is becoming understood. Neutralization tests and complement fixation tests are in widespread use to trace ·geographical distribution of the viruses, and community sampling is providing evidence of past, recent and seasonal epidemics. The whole pattern of animal reservoirs in tropical forests is under study and the definition of endemic reservoirs is becoming /of widespread importance.
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of widespread importance. Thus, the virus diseases are assuming a greater public health importance in national, international, and inter-continental health programmes than ever before. In view of the above information, the Committee may therefore wish to consider the following resolution; The Regional Committee, Realizing that insect-borne virus diseases are·n~ recognized as of major public health importance in the rl.egion, RECOMMENDS that e:xperts in the Region be a'sked to prepare papers on the public health aspects of the problem for the consideration of the Exp3 rt Committee on Virus Diseases, and that a Seminar should be held at a later date.
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