Olivier Vandenberg

Ecology and Epidemiology of Emerging Parasites: Those Causing Diarrhoea in Humans Olivier Vandenberg

"NO ONE COUNTRY AND/OR INDIVIDUAL IS FREE FROM RISK OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE WHICH INCLUDES EMERGING AND RE- EMERGING DISEASES CAUSED BY BACTERIAL, VIRAL AND PARASITIC AGENTS. NEITHER DEVELOPMENT NOR POLITICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARY MAKES ANY COUNTRY AND/OR INDIVIDUAL FREE FROM INFECTIOUS DISEASES INCLUDING THOSE CAUSED BY PARASITES?. Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis hominis have socio- economic impacts to the society. The debilitated patient is unable to go to work/ school. The episodes of diarrhoea in animals due to Giaridia and Cryptospridium are also an added economic disadvantage on farmers. The problem involves human behaviour, environment, water, food, travel, animals, technology, absence of treatment, certainty to determine the role as pathogenic organism, change of work force and others. A multi- disciplinary approach involving agriculture, water, environment, education, public health, sociology and economic sectors is necessary to formulate policies on prevention and control of infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on emerging and re-emerging parasites.