On the 1st of March, 2012, the ‘Atlas of Human Infectious Diseases’ (Wiley-Blackwell, UK) was released. An international project that was coordinatd by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Hanoi (Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Program). The Atlas is edited by Dr. Heiman F.L. Wertheim (Oxford University, UK and Vietnam), Dr. Peter Horby (Oxford University, UK and Singapore) and Dr. John Woodall (ProMED-mail, Brasil). The Atlas is available both in print and digital. A website with updates is expected at the end of 2012.
This is the first Atlas with a complete and up-to-date overview of the distribution of major infectious diseases and the underlying determinants that explain the distribution. The Atlas contains over 140 maps and fact sheets that illustrate the spread of major infectious disease and place it in a global perspective.
Infectious diseases remain a major global public health threat, particularly due to the rise in antibiotic resistant pathogens and the speed in which pathogens can spread due to globalization. Furthermore, changes in for instance climate or land use make new areas suitable for certain pathogens. With the help of this atlas, important insights in key driving factors of infectious diseases can be obtained.
This project was co-funded by the Infectious Disease Research Foundation and the Continuendo MusartE Foundation (both The Netherlands).
The first Atlas of Human Infectious Diseases created by OUCRU Hanoi
