Infectious Diseases

Fact Sheet

“Throughout its history, the human race finds itself fighting against a genuine threat to its survival – that of the spread of infectious diseases.”

VLADIMIR PUTIN, March 1, 2006

Context

• Infectious and parasitic diseases today account for every fourth death in the world. That equaled 14.9 million people in 2004, or nearly 29 people each minute, reports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Since 1973, at least one new infectious disease has been identified each year. They range from exotic viral hemorrhagic fever and microplasma infections to SARS and bird flu. AIDS, caused by HIV, have killed more than 25 million people since 1981. Experts predict a high probability exists of a new strain of pandemic influenza that would claim millions of lives.

• Infectious diseases stall economic progress. In many African countries, the economy has stopped growing and even been reversed by HIV as it upsets international commerce and tourism. And similar problems may emerge in East European and Asian countries where the epidemic came later.

• The G8 has compiled a long record of fighting infectious diseases. They include AIDS and HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio and measles, among others. In 2005, its leaders and later the United Nations’ members pledged to ensure as close as possible that the millions of people with HIV have access to antiretroviral medication by 2010.

Russia’s aims

• Russian President Putin urges accelerating and strengthening the fight against infectious diseases. He proposes creation of a global system to monitor dangerous diseases, development of regular interaction between experts from different states, and broader exchange of research information about dangerous viruses.

• Russia favors a global refocusing from the disease-oriented approach. It recommends creating general conditions at the national, regional and global levels to fight infectious diseases more effectively. It considers this important to fight future infections as well as existing ones.

• Russia thinks special attention must be drawn to prevention of a possible pandemic of avian flu. It also calls for closer coordination of anti-infectious components of various nations in international disaster-relief operations and increased academic mobility of the infection-research community.

Russia has amassed enormous organizational and scientific experience. Its unique state epidemiological-surveillance system enables it to employ anti-epidemic measures both in normal life and emergencies. With its long-term record of fighting infectious diseases, Russia believes the G8 summit will spark many important decisions that contribute to the global fight against lethal infections.